2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
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| Elections in Massachusetts |
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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 state does not have gubernatorial term limits.
Incumbent Democratic Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll are running for re-election to a second term in office.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Maura Healey, incumbent governor (2023–present)[1]
Filed paperwork
[edit]- Andrea James, nonprofit founder[2]
Declined
[edit]- Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts State Auditor (2023–present)[3]
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Mike Kennealy, former Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development[4]
- Aaron Packard, retail worker and write-in candidate for U.S Senate in 2024[5][better source needed]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Peter Durant, state senator from the Worcester and Hampshire district (2023–present) (decision expected before May 26, 2025)[6]
- Lewis Evangelidis, Worcester County Sheriff (2011–present) and former state representative (2003–2011)[7]
- Michael Minogue, former CEO of Abiomed[8]
- Michael Soter, state representative from the 8th Worcester district (2019–present)[9]
Potential
[edit]- Karyn Polito, former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts (2015–2023)[10]
- Brian Shortsleeve, former chief administrator and acting general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority[11][12]
- Bruce Tarr, Minority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate (2011–present)[10]
Declined
[edit]Endorsements
[edit]Brian Shortsleeve (not declared)
- State legislators
- Marc Lombardo, state representative from the 22nd Middlesex district (2011–present)[2]
Independents
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Connor Gray, rapper[14]
Declined
[edit]- Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts State Auditor (2023–present) (Democratic)[3]
Constitution primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Withdrawn
[edit]- Aaron Packard, retail worker and write-in candidate for U.S Senate in 2024 (running as a Republican)[15]
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[16] | Solid D | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[17] | Solid D | February 6, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[18] | Solid D | May 1, 2025 |
Polling
[edit]Hypothetical polling
Maura Healey vs. Peter Durant
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Maura Healey (D) |
Peter Durant (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[19][A] | February 14–20, 2025 | 700 (A) | ± 4.8% | 41% | 14% | 6%[a] | 39% |
Maura Healey vs. Lewis Evangelidis
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Maura Healey (D) |
Lewis Evangelidis (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[19][A] | February 14–20, 2025 | 700 (A) | ± 4.8% | 44% | 14% | 6%[a] | 36% |
Maura Healey vs. Brian Shortsleeve
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Maura Healey (D) |
Brian Shortsleeve (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[19][A] | February 14–20, 2025 | 700 (A) | ± 4.8% | 44% | 12% | 6%[a] | 38% |
Maura Healey vs. Mike Kennealy
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Maura Healey (D) |
Mike Kennealy (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[19][A] | February 14–20, 2025 | 700 (A) | ± 4.8% | 40% | 15% | 6%[a] | 39% |
Maura Healey vs. John Deaton
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Maura Healey (D) |
John Deaton (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[19][A] | February 14–20, 2025 | 700 (A) | ± 4.8% | 45% | 25% | 4%[b] | 26% |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]Partisan clients
References
[edit]- ^ Van Buskirk, Chris (February 7, 2025). "Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey says she plans to run for reelection in 2026". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on February 8, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ a b Van Buskirk, Chris (March 4, 2025). "Andrea James, advocate for the incarcerated, files paperwork to run for governor in 2026". Boston Herald. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
- ^ a b Van Buskirk, Chris (January 2, 2025). "Mike Kennealy, former cabinet secretary for Charlie Baker, 'seriously considering' running for governor in 2026". Boston Herald. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ Van Buskirk, Chris (April 7, 2025). "Mike Kennealy, former Baker cabinet secretary, launches Republican run for governor". Boston Herald. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ https://x.com/AaronLPackard1/status/1904677328497582391
- ^ Van Buskirk, Chris (January 30, 2025). "Sen. Peter Durant, Spencer Republican, considering running for governor in 2026". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on January 31, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Van Buskirk, Chris (January 11, 2025). "Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis not ruling out running for governor in 2026". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on January 12, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Van Buskirk, Chris (May 8, 2025). "GOP mega-donor Michael Minogue says he is considering running for governor in 2026". Boston Herald. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- ^ Van Buskirk, Chris (February 27, 2025). "Bellingham Republican Michael Soter considering statewide run, including against Ed Markey". Boston Herald. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Garrity, Kelly (January 31, 2025). "Republicans in waiting". Politico. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ Garrity, Kelly (January 3, 2025). "Spilka takes aim at the transparency narrative". Politico. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ Garrity, Kelly (March 31, 2025). "GOP donor eyes the governor's office". Politico. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ Garrity, Kelly (January 13, 2025). "Republicans ready themselves for 2026". Politico. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
'John will not be a candidate for Governor this cycle'...Jim Conroy, a spokesperson for Deaton, said in a statement.
- ^ Markos, Mary (April 21, 2025). "Meet a 19-year-old who's trying to run for governor in Mass". NBC10 Boston. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ Brennan, Lonnie (January 7, 2025). "Aaron Packard to Run for Governor of Massachusetts". Boston Broadside. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Toplines: University of Massachusetts Amherst/WCVB - February 2025 Massachusetts Poll" (PDF). 270toWin. February 24, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official campaign websites