The Massachusetts Republican Party is pleased to see candidates emerge who are willing to take on Governor Maura Healey in the 2026 gubernatorial race..The party welcomed Mike Kennealy, the secretary of housing and economic development under former Governor Charlie Baker, to the governor's race after he announced his bid on Monday.Here is the statement the party issued after the 57-year-old Lexington resident jumped into the race:The Massachusetts Republican Party welcomes the start of what we know will be an engaging and informative gubernatorial election season. With the announcement today by Mike Kennealy that he will be a candidate for Governor, and the expected emergence of additional Republican candidates, we are confident Massachusetts voters will embrace new leadership for our Commonwealth.Massachusetts is at a crossroads. Years of reckless spending, ever-increasing taxes, burdensome regulations that drive up energy costs, and a mismanaged migrant crisis have created a humanitarian and fiscal disaster for working families. Voters are ready for a new direction — one rooted in common sense, fiscal responsibility, and accountable leadership.We’re encouraged to see strong Republican candidates stepping forward to champion working taxpayers, and we look forward to winning back the corner office in 2026 and restoring prosperity and stability to Massachusetts. In his announcement, Kennealy said high costs, the migrant crisis, and education are why he's entering the race.“Everything from gas to housing to taxes is too expensive. Too many kids aren’t receiving the education they need to compete in a global economy. Our transportation system is still broken. The unspeakable violence in migrant shelters is a human tragedy and a national embarrassment … Our beacon on a hill has become a beacon in the rearview mirror,” said Kennealy in the video. “I’m running for governor because I believe in the unlimited potential of our state through the power of our people.”Other Republicans who have expressed interest in running for governor include Brian Shortsleeve, who served as the chief administrator of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority under Baker from 2015 to 2017, and state Senator Peter Durant (R-Spencer). Shortsleeve is expected to announce his run in a couple of months.Healey announced her re-election bid about two months before Kennealy announced his bid.“I plan to run for re-election because there’s a lot more to do,” Healey said on Boston Public Radio in February. “I love my job. I feel incredibly privileged to be in this position, and I’d love to have the opportunity to continue to work for the great people of this state.”Available data indicates that Healey, who will seek re-election, has some advantages in the race.A mid-February UMass Amherst poll found the incumbent governor has a 52 percent approval rating, while just 36 percent disapprove.She also had the edge when polled head-to-head with potential Republican gubernatorial candidates. The poll found that she led Kennealy 40 percent to 15 percent, Shortsleeve 44 percent to 12 percent, and Durant 41 percent to 14 percent. The Cook Political Report says Massachusetts is a solid Democratic state in the 2026 governor's race; the election forecaster puts the Bay State in the same category for governor's races as California and Hawaii.
The Massachusetts Republican Party is pleased to see candidates emerge who are willing to take on Governor Maura Healey in the 2026 gubernatorial race..The party welcomed Mike Kennealy, the secretary of housing and economic development under former Governor Charlie Baker, to the governor's race after he announced his bid on Monday.Here is the statement the party issued after the 57-year-old Lexington resident jumped into the race:The Massachusetts Republican Party welcomes the start of what we know will be an engaging and informative gubernatorial election season. With the announcement today by Mike Kennealy that he will be a candidate for Governor, and the expected emergence of additional Republican candidates, we are confident Massachusetts voters will embrace new leadership for our Commonwealth.Massachusetts is at a crossroads. Years of reckless spending, ever-increasing taxes, burdensome regulations that drive up energy costs, and a mismanaged migrant crisis have created a humanitarian and fiscal disaster for working families. Voters are ready for a new direction — one rooted in common sense, fiscal responsibility, and accountable leadership.We’re encouraged to see strong Republican candidates stepping forward to champion working taxpayers, and we look forward to winning back the corner office in 2026 and restoring prosperity and stability to Massachusetts. In his announcement, Kennealy said high costs, the migrant crisis, and education are why he's entering the race.“Everything from gas to housing to taxes is too expensive. Too many kids aren’t receiving the education they need to compete in a global economy. Our transportation system is still broken. The unspeakable violence in migrant shelters is a human tragedy and a national embarrassment … Our beacon on a hill has become a beacon in the rearview mirror,” said Kennealy in the video. “I’m running for governor because I believe in the unlimited potential of our state through the power of our people.”Other Republicans who have expressed interest in running for governor include Brian Shortsleeve, who served as the chief administrator of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority under Baker from 2015 to 2017, and state Senator Peter Durant (R-Spencer). Shortsleeve is expected to announce his run in a couple of months.Healey announced her re-election bid about two months before Kennealy announced his bid.“I plan to run for re-election because there’s a lot more to do,” Healey said on Boston Public Radio in February. “I love my job. I feel incredibly privileged to be in this position, and I’d love to have the opportunity to continue to work for the great people of this state.”Available data indicates that Healey, who will seek re-election, has some advantages in the race.A mid-February UMass Amherst poll found the incumbent governor has a 52 percent approval rating, while just 36 percent disapprove.She also had the edge when polled head-to-head with potential Republican gubernatorial candidates. The poll found that she led Kennealy 40 percent to 15 percent, Shortsleeve 44 percent to 12 percent, and Durant 41 percent to 14 percent. The Cook Political Report says Massachusetts is a solid Democratic state in the 2026 governor's race; the election forecaster puts the Bay State in the same category for governor's races as California and Hawaii.
