2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Massachusetts. Democratic incumbent Maura Healey is seeking a second term. She faces Republican Michael Minogue in the general election.
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November 3, 2026
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Primary elections took place on September 1, 2026.[1]
Democratic primary
Governor
Candidates
Nominee
- Maura Healey, incumbent governor (2023–present)[2]
Declined
- Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts state auditor (2023–present)[3] (running for re-election)[4]
Endorsements
Maura Healey
Statewide officials
- Paul DePalo, governor's councillor from the 7th district (2021–present)[5]
State legislators
- Brian Ashe, state representative from the 2nd Hampden district (2009–present)[6]
- Dan Donahue, state representative from the 16th Worcester district (2013–present)[5]
- Patricia Duffy, state representative from the 5th Hampden district (2021–present)[6]
- Mary Keefe, state representative from the 15th Worcester district (2013–present)[5]
- Robyn Kennedy, state senator from the 1st Worcester district (2023–present)[5]
- David LeBoeuf, state representative from the 17th Worcester district (2019–present)[5]
- John J. Mahoney, state representative from the 13th Worcester district (2011–present)[5]
- Michael O. Moore, state senator from the 2nd Worcester district (2009–present)[5]
- Jim O'Day, state representative from the 14th Worcester district (2007–present)[5]
Local officials
- Joshua Garcia, mayor of Holyoke (2021–present)[6]
- Joseph O'Brien, former mayor of Worcester (2010–2012)[7]
- Joseph Petty, mayor of Worcester (2012–present)[7]
Labor unions
- 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East[8]
- Massachusetts AFL-CIO[9]
- SEIU 32BJ[8]
- Sheet Metal Workers Local 17[10]
Organizations
- EMILYs List[11]
- End Citizens United[12]
- Giffords[13]
- Human Rights Campaign[14]
- Jewish Democratic Council of America[15]
- LGBTQ+ Victory Fund[16]
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund[17]
Political parties
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maura Healey (incumbent) | 767,711 | 98.3 | |
| Write-in | 12,897 | 1.7 | ||
| Total votes | 780,608 | 100.0 | ||
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
Nominee
- Kim Driscoll, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present)[19]
Endorsements
Kim Driscoll
Statewide officials
- Paul DePalo, governor's councillor from the 7th district (2021–present)[5]
State legislators
- Dan Donahue, state representative from the 16th Worcester district (2013–present)[5]
- Mary Keefe, state representative from the 15th Worcester district (2013–present)[5]
- Robyn Kennedy, state senator from the 1st Worcester district (2023–present)[5]
- David LeBoeuf, state representative from the 17th Worcester district (2019–present)[5]
- John J. Mahoney, state representative from the 13th Worcester district (2011–present)[5]
- Michael O. Moore, state senator from the 2nd Worcester district (2009–present)[5]
- Jim O'Day, state representative from the 14th Worcester district (2007–present)[5]
Local officials
- Joshua Garcia, mayor of Holyoke (2021–present)[6]
- Joseph O'Brien, former mayor of Worcester (2010–2012)[7]
- Joseph Petty, mayor of Worcester (2012–present)[7]
Labor unions
- Sheet Metal Workers Local 17[10]
Organizations
Political parties
Polling
Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Maura Healey |
Diana DiZoglio |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk University[20][A] | April 9–13, 2026 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.4% | 63% | 11% | 1%[b] | 25% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Kim Driscoll |
Maura Healey |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk University[20][A] | April 9–13, 2026 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.4% | 10% | 66% | 2%[c] | 22% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kim Driscoll (incumbent) | 745,562 | 99.2 | |
| Write-in | 5,984 | 0.8 | ||
| Total votes | 751,546 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Governor
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Brian Shortsleeve, former chief administrator and acting general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority[22] (running with Shawn Oliver)[23]
Eliminated at convention
Declined
- John Deaton, attorney and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024[27] (running for U.S. Senate)[28]
- Peter Durant, state senator from the Worcester and Hampshire district (2023–present) (running for re-election)[29]
Endorsements
Michael Minogue
- Party officials
- Jim Lyons, former chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party (2019–2023) and former state representative from the 18th Essex district (2011–2019)[30]
- Individuals
- Mike Kennealy, former Massachusetts secretary of housing and urban development; former candidate for this seat[26]
- Political parties
Mike Kennealy (eliminated at convention)
- State legislators
- F. Jay Barrows, former state representative from the 1st Bristol district (2007–2025)[31]
- Kimberly Ferguson, state representative from the 1st Worcester district (2011–present)[32]
- Hannah Kane, state representative from the 11th Worcester district (2015–present)[33]
Brian Shortsleeve
- Executive branch officials
- Scott Brown, former ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2017–2020) and former U.S. senator from Massachusetts (2010–2013)[34]
- U.S. senators
- Tom Cotton, Arkansas (2015–present)[35]
- Rick Scott, Florida (2019–present)[36]
- State legislators
- Nicholas Boldyga, state representative from the 3rd Hampden district (2011–present)[37]
- Ginny Coppola, former state representative from the 1st Bristol district (2006–2007)[31]
- William Crocker Jr., former state representative from the 2nd Barnstable district (2017–2021)[31]
- Peter Durant, state senator from the Worcester and Hampshire district (2023–present)[37]
- Paul Frost, state representative from the 7th Worcester district (1997–present)[38]
- Marc Lombardo, state representative from the 22nd Middlesex district (2011–present)[39]
- Jeff Perry, former state representative from the 5th Barnstable district (2003–2011)[31]
- Michael Soter, state representative from the 8th Worcester district (2019–present)[36]
- Daniel K. Webster, former state representative from the 6th Plymouth district (2003–2013)[31]
- Local officials
- Shaunna O'Connell, mayor of Taunton (2020–present) and former state representative from the 3rd Bristol district (2011–2020)[31]
- Newspapers
- The Boston Globe (Republican primary only)[40]
Declined to endorse
- Statewide officials
- Charlie Baker, former governor of Massachusetts (2015–2023)[32]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Mike Kennealy |
Brian Shortsleeve |
Mike Minogue |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[41] | August 20–24, 2026 | 201 (LV) | ± 6.9% | – | 11% | 55% | 9%[d] | 25% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[42][B] | August 5–12, 2026 | 209 (RV) | ± 8.7% | – | 26% | 53%[e] | 4%[f] | 18% |
| – | 24% | 49% | 4%[g] | 24% | ||||
| University of New Hampshire[43] | June 18–23, 2026 | 176 (LV) | ± 7.4% | – | 15% | 46% | – | 39% |
| Suffolk University[44][A] | May 26–29, 2026 | 465 (LV) | ± 4.5% | – | 13% | 45% | 1%[h] | 40% |
| Kennealy eliminated at Republican convention | ||||||||
| Pulse Decision Science (R)[45][C] | February 23–24, 2026 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 7% | 16% | 29% | – | 48% |
| Suffolk University[46][A] | November 19–23, 2025 | 93 (LV) | ± 10.2% | 13% | 22% | 6% | – | 59% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[47][B] | October 21–29, 2025 | 183 (A) | – | 44%[e] | 13% | 13% | 3%[i] | 27% |
| 27% | 15% | 15% | 0%[j] | 43% | ||||
| University of New Hampshire[48] | September 17–23, 2025 | 148 (LV) | ± 8.0% | 22% | 31% | – | – | 47% |
Convention
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Minogue | 1,262 | 70.4 | |
| Republican | Brian Shortsleeve | 278 | 15.5 | |
| Republican | Mike Kennealy | 253 | 14.1 | |
| Total votes | 1,793 | 100.0 | ||
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Minogue | 194,758 | 75.6 | |
| Republican | Brian Shortsleeve | 62,161 | 24.1 | |
| Write-in | 612 | 0.3 | ||
| Total votes | 257,531 | 100.0 | ||
Lieutenant governor
Anne Brensley did not officially become the running mate to a candidate for governor. However, she was supported by gubernatorial candidate Michael Minogue.[49]
Candidates
Nominee
- Shawn Oliver, New Bedford city councilor and former corrections officer (running with Brian Shortsleeve)[23]
Disqualified
- Anne Brensley, former Wayland Selectmen member (2023–2026) (running for secretary of state)[50][51]
- Anne Manning Martin, Peabody city councilor and nominee for the 5th Governor's Council district in 2024 (ran a write-in campaign, previously ran with Mike Kennealy)[24][52][53]
Endorsements
Anne Brensley (disqualified)
Anne Manning Martin (disqualified)
Individuals
- Mike Kennealy, gubernatorial candidate[24]
Shawn Oliver
Individuals
- Brian Shortsleeve, gubernatorial candidate[23]
Convention
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Anne Brensley | 1,100 | 56.1 | |
| Republican | Anne Manning-Martin | 536 | 27.3 | |
| Republican | Shawn Oliver | 325 | 16.6 | |
| Total votes | 1,961 | 100.0 | ||
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Shawn Oliver | 195,352 | 91.6 | |
| Republican | Anne Manning Martin (write-in) | 14,611 | 6.9 | |
| Write-in | 3,208 | 1.5 | ||
| Total votes | 213,171 | 100.0 | ||
Third parties and independents
Candidates
Declared
- Andrea James, criminal justice nonprofit executive (Independent)[56]
- Muhammed Kokonezis-Hanino (Independent)[57]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[58] | Solid D | September 11, 2025 |
| Fox News[59] | Solid D | July 23, 2026 |
| Inside Elections[60] | Solid D | August 28, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[61] | Safe D | June 19, 2026 |
| RealClearPolitics[62] | Solid D | June 5, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[63] | Safe D | September 4, 2025 |
| Silver Bulletin[64] | Solid D | August 25, 2026 |
Polling
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Maura Healey (D) |
Mike Minogue (R) |
Other/ |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race to the WH[65] | through August 24, 2026 | September 11, 2026 | 53.0% | 32.2% | 14.8% | Healey +20.8% |
| Silver Bulletin[66] | June 18 – August 24, 2026 | September 11, 2026 | 56.2% | 32.8% | 11.0% | Healey +23.4% |
| Average | 54.6% | 32.5% | 12.9% | Healey +22.1% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Maura Healey (D) |
Mike Minogue (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[41] | August 20–24, 2026 | 881 (LV) | ± 2.2% | 54% | 30% | 2%[l] | 14% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[42][B] | August 5–12, 2026 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.4% | 53% | 33% | 2%[m] | 12% |
| University of New Hampshire[43] | June 18–23, 2026 | 623 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 51% | 32% | 1% | 16% |
| Suffolk University[67][A] | June 8–12, 2026 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 56% | 31% | 1%[n] | 11% |
| Polity Research Consulting[68][D] | April 19 – May 7, 2026 | 608 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 58% | 31% | – | 11% |
| University of New Hampshire[69] | April 16–20, 2026 | 599 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 52% | 32% | – | 15% |
| University of New Hampshire[70] | February 12–16, 2026 | 620 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 56% | 27% | 2%[o] | 15% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[47][B] | October 21–29, 2025 | 800 (A) | ± 4.1% | 51% | 26% | 7%[p] | 16% |
Hypothetical polling
Maura Healey vs. Brian Shortsleeve
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Maura Healey (D) |
Brian Shortsleeve (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[41] | August 20–24, 2026 | 881 (LV) | ± 2.2% | 55% | 28% | 3%[q] | 14% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[42][B] | August 5–12, 2026 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.4% | 51% | 32% | 3%[r] | 14% |
| University of New Hampshire[43] | June 18–23, 2026 | 623 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 50% | 32% | 3% | 15% |
| Suffolk University[67][A] | June 8–12, 2026 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 56% | 29% | 2%[s] | 13% |
| Polity Research Consulting[68][D] | April 19 – May 7, 2026 | 608 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 59% | 30% | – | 11% |
| University of New Hampshire[69] | April 16–20, 2026 | 603 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 51% | 29% | 3%[t] | 17% |
| University of New Hampshire[70] | February 12–16, 2026 | 620 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 58% | 28% | 1%[u] | 13% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[47][B] | October 21–29, 2025 | 800 (A) | ± 4.1% | 48% | 27% | 7%[p] | 18% |
| Advantage, Inc. (R)[71][E] | September 23–24, 2025 | 750 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 46% | 31% | – | 23% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[72][B] | February 14–20, 2025 | 700 (A) | ± 4.8% | 44% | 12% | 6%[v] | 38% |
Maura Healey vs. John Deaton
Maura Healey vs. Peter Durant
Maura Healey vs. Lewis Evangelidis
Maura Healey vs. Mike Kennealy
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Maura Healey (D) |
Mike Kennealy (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[69] | April 16–20, 2026 | 597 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 53% | 32% | 3%[t] | 13% |
| University of New Hampshire[70] | February 12–16, 2026 | 620 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 55% | 28% | 2%[o] | 15% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[47][B] | October 21–29, 2025 | 800 (A) | ± 4.1% | 49% | 27% | 7%[p] | 17% |
| Advantage, Inc. (R)[71][E] | September 23–24, 2025 | 750 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 45% | 34% | – | 21% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[72][B] | February 14–20, 2025 | 700 (A) | ± 4.8% | 40% | 15% | 6%[v] | 39% |
See also
Notes
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - "Refused" with 1%; "Another Democrat" with 0%
- "Refused" with 2%; "Another Democrat" with 0%
- "Write in someone else" with 9%
- With voters who lean towards a given candidate
- "Would not vote" with 4%
- "Would not vote" with 4%
- "Another Republican" with 1%
- "Would not vote" with 3%
- "Would not vote" with 0%
- Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
- "Write in someone else" with 2%
- "Would not vote" with 2%
- "Refused" with 1%
- "Another candidate" with 2%
- "Would not vote" with 7%
- "Write in someone else" with 3%
- "Would not vote" with 3%
- "Refused" with 2%
- "Another candidate" with 3%
- "Another candidate" with 1%
- "Would not vote" with 6%
- "Would not vote" with 4%
Partisan clients