2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
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The 2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Massachusetts. The primary election will take place on September 1, 2026.[1] The state does not have gubernatorial term limits.
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November 3, 2026
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Incumbent Democratic governor Maura Healey and lieutenant governor Kim Driscoll are running for re-election to a second term in office.
Democratic primary
Governor
Candidates
Presumptive 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
Organizations
- EMILYs List[9]
- End Citizens United[10]
- Giffords[11]
- Jewish Democratic Council of America[12]
- LGBTQ+ Victory Fund[13]
Political parties
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
Presumptive nominee
- Kim Driscoll, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present)[15]
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]
Political parties
Polling
Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Maura Healey |
Diana DiZoglio |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk University[16][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[16][A] | April 9–13, 2026 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.4% | 10% | 66% | 2%[c] | 22% |
Republican primary
Governor
Candidates
Declared
- Michael Minogue, former CEO of Abiomed[17]
- Brian Shortsleeve, former chief administrator and acting general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority[18] (running with Shawn Oliver)[19]
Eliminated at convention
Declined
- John Deaton, attorney and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024[23] (running for U.S. Senate)[24]
- Peter Durant, state senator from the Worcester and Hampshire district (2023–present) (running for re-election)[25]
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)[26]
Individuals
- Mike Kennealy, former Massachusetts secretary of housing and urban development; former candidate for this seat[22]
Political parties
Mike Kennealy (eliminated at convention)
State legislators
- F. Jay Barrows, former state representative from the 1st Bristol district (2007–2025)[27]
- Kimberly Ferguson, state representative from the 1st Worcester district (2011–present)[28]
- Hannah Kane, state representative from the 11th Worcester district (2015–present)[29]
Brian Shortsleeve
Executive branch officials
- Scott Brown, former ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2017–2020)[30]
U.S. senators
- Tom Cotton, Arkansas (2015–present)[31]
State legislators
- Nicholas Boldyga, state representative from the 3rd Hampden district (2011–present)[32]
- Ginny Coppola, former state representative from the 1st Bristol district (2006–2007)[27]
- William Crocker Jr., former state representative from the 2nd Barnstable district (2017–2021)[27]
- Peter Durant, state senator from the Worcester and Hampshire district (2023–present)[32]
- Paul Frost, state representative from the 7th Worcester district (1997–present)[33]
- Marc Lombardo, state representative from the 22nd Middlesex district (2011–present)[34]
- Jeff Perry, former state representative from the 5th Barnstable district (2003–2011)[27]
- Daniel K. Webster, former state representative from the 6th Plymouth district (2003–2013)[27]
Local officials
- Shaunna O'Connell, mayor of Taunton (2020–present) and former state representative from the 3rd Bristol district (2011–2020)[27]
Declined to endorse
Statewide officials
- Charlie Baker, former governor of Massachusetts (2015–2023)[28]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Mike Kennealy |
Brian Shortsleeve |
Mike Minogue |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[35] | June 18–23, 2026 | 176 (LV) | ± 7.4% | – | 15% | 46% | – | 39% |
| Suffolk University[36][A] | May 26–29, 2026 | 465 (LV) | ± 4.5% | – | 13% | 45% | 1%[d] | 40% |
| Kennealy eliminated at Republican convention | ||||||||
| Pulse Decision Science (R)[37][B] | February 23–24, 2026 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 7% | 16% | 29% | – | 48% |
| Suffolk University[38][A] | November 19–23, 2025 | 93 (LV) | ± 10.2% | 13% | 22% | 6% | – | 59% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[39][C] | October 21–29, 2025 | 183 (A) | – | 44%[e] | 13% | 13% | 3%[f] | 27% |
| 27% | 15% | 15% | 0%[g] | 43% | ||||
| University of New Hampshire[40] | September 17–23, 2025 | 148 (LV) | ± 8.0% | 22% | 31% | – | – | 47% |
Results
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% | ||
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.[41]
Candidates
Presumptive nominee
- Shawn Oliver, New Bedford city councilor and former corrections officer (running with Brian Shortsleeve)[19]
Disqualified
Endorsements
Anne Brensley (disqualified)
Anne Manning Martin (disqualified)
Individuals
- Mike Kennealy, gubernatorial candidate[20]
Shawn Oliver
Individuals
- Brian Shortsleeve, gubernatorial candidate[19]
Results
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% | ||
Third parties and independents
Candidates
Declared
- Andrea James, criminal justice nonprofit executive (Independent)[46]
- Muhammed Kokonezis-Hanino (Independent)[47]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[48] | Solid D | August 28, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[49] | Safe D | June 19, 2026 |
| RealClearPolitics[50] | Solid D | June 5, 2026 |
| Fox News[51] | Solid D | July 23, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[52] | Safe D | September 4, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[53] | Solid D | September 11, 2025 |
Polling
Maura Healey vs. Mike Minogue
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Maura Healey (D) |
Mike Minogue (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[35] | June 18–23, 2026 | 623 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 51% | 32% | 1% | 16% |
| Suffolk University[54][A] | June 8–12, 2026 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 56% | 31% | 1%[h] | 11% |
| Polity Research Consulting[55][D] | April 19 – May 7, 2026 | 608 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 58% | 31% | – | 11% |
| University of New Hampshire[56] | April 16–20, 2026 | 599 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 52% | 32% | – | 15% |
| University of New Hampshire[57] | February 12–16, 2026 | 620 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 56% | 27% | 2%[i] | 15% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[39][C] | October 21–29, 2025 | 800 (A) | ± 4.1% | 51% | 26% | 7%[j] | 16% |
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[35] | June 18–23, 2026 | 623 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 50% | 32% | 3% | 15% |
| Suffolk University[54][A] | June 8–12, 2026 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 56% | 29% | 2%[k] | 13% |
| Polity Research Consulting[55][D] | April 19 – May 7, 2026 | 608 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 59% | 30% | – | 11% |
| University of New Hampshire[56] | April 16–20, 2026 | 603 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 51% | 29% | 3%[l] | 17% |
| University of New Hampshire[57] | February 12–16, 2026 | 620 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 58% | 28% | 1%[m] | 13% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[39][C] | October 21–29, 2025 | 800 (A) | ± 4.1% | 48% | 27% | 7%[j] | 18% |
| Advantage, Inc. (R)[58][E] | September 23–24, 2025 | 750 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 46% | 31% | – | 23% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[59][C] | February 14–20, 2025 | 700 (A) | ± 4.8% | 44% | 12% | 6%[n] | 38% |
Hypothetical polling
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[56] | April 16–20, 2026 | 597 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 53% | 32% | 3%[l] | 13% |
| University of New Hampshire[57] | February 12–16, 2026 | 620 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 55% | 28% | 2%[i] | 15% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[39][C] | October 21–29, 2025 | 800 (A) | ± 4.1% | 49% | 27% | 7%[j] | 17% |
| Advantage, Inc. (R)[58][E] | September 23–24, 2025 | 750 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 45% | 34% | – | 21% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[59][C] | February 14–20, 2025 | 700 (A) | ± 4.8% | 40% | 15% | 6%[n] | 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%
- "Another Republican" with 1%
- With voters who lean towards a given candidate
- "Would not vote" with 3%
- "Would not vote" with 0%
- "Refused" with 1%
- "Another candidate" with 2%
- "Would not vote" with 7%
- "Refused" with 2%
- "Another candidate" with 3%
- "Another candidate" with 1%
- "Would not vote" with 6%
- "Would not vote" with 4%
Partisan clients