Massachusetts governor 2026

Compare candidates running in this Massachusetts federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Andrea James

Party: Democrat

Matthew Dewar

Party: Democrat

Michael Minogue

Party: Republican

Brian Shortsleeve

Party: Republican

Maura Healey

Party: Democrat

OBJ SPEAKING

Create StoryTimelinesVoter ToolsRegional AnalysisAll StoriesUSWorldPoliticsBusinessHealthEntertainmentTechnologyCommunity PicksAbout
← US Map>Massachusetts>governor
governor

Massachusetts governor

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 10, 2026
safe d— Cook Political Report

Massachusetts is a solid blue state where Democratic governors hold overwhelming electoral advantage. However, the race tests whether Healey can maintain strong approval ratings amid controversies over cabinet turnover, housing costs, and migrant shelter spending. A Republican victory would be historic upset.

Andrea JamesD
Matthew DewarD
Michael MinogueR
Brian ShortsleeveR
Maura HealeyD

Summary

Andrea James is running in the Democratic primary against incumbent Governor Maura Healey. Limited public information available on her background and platform as of April 2026.

Matthew Dewar is running in the Democratic primary against incumbent Governor Maura Healey. Limited public information available on his background and platform as of April 2026.

Michael Minogue is a former CEO of medical device company Abiomed and longtime Republican donor entering the 2026 gubernatorial race as a political newcomer. A U.S. Army veteran, Minogue built significant wealth through his corporate career before selling Abiomed to Johnson & Johnson for $16.6 billion in 2022. He represents the wealthy business candidate in the Republican primary.

Brian Shortsleeve is a venture capitalist and former MBTA chief administrator seeking the Republican nomination for governor. He previously served in Governor Charlie Baker's administration managing the state's transit system. Shortsleeve represents the Baker-era moderate Republican approach in the 2026 race.

Maura Healey is the 73rd Governor of Massachusetts and the first woman elected governor of the state. Born February 8, 1971, she served as Massachusetts Attorney General from 2015 to 2023, where she led the state's challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act and gained national prominence through lawsuits against the Trump administration. She is one of the first two openly lesbian governors elected in the United States. Her administration has focused on housing affordability, climate action, and lower costs for residents.

View Andrea James's Full Profile →View Matthew Dewar's Full Profile →View Michael Minogue's Full Profile →View Brian Shortsleeve's Full Profile →View Maura Healey's Full Profile →

Campaign Promises

No campaign promises listed yet.

No campaign promises listed yet.

Other
  • Bring accountability, affordability, opportunity, and keep communities safe
Economy
  • Lower costs and improve government efficiency
Transportation
  • Improve MBTA performance and reduce transit costs
Public-Safety
  • Address shelter system and public safety crisis
Other
  • Strengthen government vetting and oversight
Economy
  • Lower costs for Massachusetts families through housing, child care, and energy affordability
Housing
  • Address housing crisis with Secretary of Housing and Affordable Homes Act
Environment
  • Climate leadership including electrifying public transportation by 2040
Healthcare
  • Protect reproductive freedom and access to abortion

Key Issue Positions

No key issues listed yet.

No key issues listed yet.

Government Reform
Accountability and efficiency
Emphasizes business practices and management discipline
Public Transit
Improve MBTA efficiency
Focus on transportation infrastructure
Government Oversight
Strengthen vetting and accountability
Response to Cook scandal; demands transparency in hiring
Housing Affordability
Pro-building reform and supply increase
Supports legalizing ADUs, commercial-to-residential conversion, reforming zoning; legalized ADUs by-right statewide
Climate Change
Aggressive climate action
Supports electrification, renewable energy targets, green job creation
Reproductive Rights
Strong abortion access protector
Protects medication abortion, emergency abortion care, opposes bans
Immigration
Sanctuary state approach
Expanded access to driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, provided shelter services

Top Donors

No donor data available.

No donor data available.

Self-funded
$2 millionIndividual
Donated $2 million to own campaign; largest donor to his race
Individual donors
$608,000Individual
Raised from other donors as of December 2025
Republican National Committee
$400,000+Individual
Contributed over $400,000 to RNC in February 2026 alone
Self-funded
$200,000Individual
Donated $200,000 to campaign in November 2025, first personal contribution
Individual donors
$4.5 millionIndividual
Campaign has $4.5 million in account as of December 2025

Contradictions

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

Claim: Minogue criticizes Healey for high costs and unaffordability
Contradiction: Minogue owns 8,200-square-foot home valued at $3.5 million on 14 acres in South Hamilton plus adjacent 4-bedroom home valued at $1.7 million; represents ultra-wealthy far removed from struggling Massachusetts families
Claim: Shortsleeve criticizes Healey for high costs and unaffordability
Contradiction: Shortsleeve's real estate holdings not fully disclosed; represents venture capital interests far removed from average Massachusetts residents' economic circumstances
Claim: Pledged transparency as centerpiece of administration
Contradiction: Refused to disclose donors to One Commonwealth dark money nonprofit advancing housing agenda
Claim: Campaign focused on making life affordable
Contradiction: Housing costs continue rising; state ranks 47th nationally in affordability; families paying third-highest energy bills in country

What Opponents Say

No opponent claims documented.

No opponent claims documented.

Mike Kennealy

Minogue lacks government experience and has zero chance of defeating Healey in general election; Kennealy is 'the only person with any chance'

Republican primary competition; Kennealy criticizing rivals

No opponent claims documented.

Mike Kennealy

Massachusetts is one of least affordable states in country under Healey; ranks 47th in affordability and has dead last job creation

Republican primary candidate criticizing Healey's economic record

Mike Kennealy

Massachusetts has become top state for outmigration under Healey; families paying third-highest energy bills in country

Response to Healey reelection campaign launch

Brian Shortsleeve

Shelter system has suffered from mismanagement and overload; costs have spiraled due to Healey policies

Republican candidate criticism of migrant shelter spending

Endorsements

No endorsements listed.

No endorsements listed.

Massachusetts Republican Partyorganization
Massachusetts Republican Partyorganization
Massachusetts Democratic Partyorganization