Gov. Maura Healey’s steady drift toward the political center as she campaigns for a second term in the middle of an energy affordability crisis has elevated intense debates about whether the governor has all but thrown in the towel on fighting climate change, leaving a split among environmentalists as the natural gas industry tries to make inroads.

As Healey has tried to navigate soaring energy prices, a Trump administration hostile to wind power, ambitious climate commitments, and rising energy demand, she has picked up one key endorsement from the campaign arm of the Environmental League of Massachusetts, shared first with CommonWealth Beacon. The group has cast her as a pragmatic leader, citing her support for major reforms to the permitting and siting of new energy projects, investments in climate technologies, and recent executive action to secure more clean power.

Yet, some environmental advocates are holding back campaign contributions to express frustration that, in their view, the governor is deprioritizing climate change.

An annual fundraiser for Healey among climate advocates targeted to take place in May or June was recently scrapped due to an inability to cobble together enough donors, according to five environmental leaders in Massachusetts who have attended the gathering in the past, all of whom were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. They noted the fundraiser still could happen later in the year as the gubernatorial race comes into clearer view.

Some of those advocates have directly relayed their dissatisfaction with the governor’s perceived lack of action on environmental issues to top Healey officials in recent weeks, CommonWealth Beacon has learned. Those concerns range from Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal that cuts state environmental programs by 4 percent to what they say was her unwillingness to speak out against a proposal floated by House Democrats to abandon the state’s 2030 climate goals.

“We were better under Baker,” said one of the heads of a prominent environmental organization, referencing Healey’s Republican predecessor, adding that at least climate advocates knew where he stood on various issues and found his team more accessible.

Healey’s shift on climate is now starting to bleed into her campaign for a second term as players across the spectrum are looking to leverage their support in the November election to make gains on their issues. Some advocates are feeling left out, while others are rushing to Healey’s defense. And one natural gas industry group, Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, which counts energy companies like Enbridge as members, seems to be targeting Healey as ripe for influencing, claiming Healey’s office has been interested in its polling showing the popularity of natural gas.

Healey’s campaign declined to comment on the frustrations expressed by environmental advocates. Her team also said they have no record of Healey or her staff being in touch with the natural gas group.