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2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

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For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
← 2022
November 3, 2026
2030 →
 
Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent Governor

Maura Healey
Democratic



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.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll are running for election to a second term in office.

Democratic primary

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Governor

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Candidates

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Declared
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Potential
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Declined
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Endorsements

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Maura Healey
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Organizations

Lieutenant governor

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Candidates

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Declared
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Endorsements

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Kim Driscoll
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials

Republican primary

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Governor

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Candidates

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Declared
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Declined
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Endorsements

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Mike Kennealy
State legislators
Brian Shortsleeve
Executive branch officials
State legislators
Local officials
Declined to endorse
Statewide officials

Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Mike
Kennealy 		Brian
Shortsleeve 		Mike
Minogue 		Other Undecided
Suffolk University[25][A] November 19–23, 2025 93 (LV) ± 10.2% 13% 22% 6% – 59%
UMass Amherst/YouGov[26][B] October 21–29, 2025 183 (A) – 44%[b] 13% 13% 3%[c] 27%
27% 15% 15% 0%[d] 43%
University of New Hampshire[27] September 17–23, 2025 148 (LV) ± 8.0% 22% 31% – – 47%

Lieutenant governor

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Candidates

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Declared
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  • Anne Brensley, Wayland Selectmen member (2023–present)[28]

Endorsements

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Anne Brensley
Organizations

Third parties and independents

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Candidates

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Declared

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  • Muhammed Kokonezis-Hanino, (Independent)[30]

Withdrawn

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  • Connor Gray, rapper (Independent)

General election

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Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[31] Solid D September 11, 2025
Inside Elections[32] Solid D August 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[33] Safe D September 4, 2025
Race to the WH[34] Safe D September 16, 2025

Polling

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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[35] February 12–16, 2026 620 (LV) ± 3.9% 55% 28% 2%[e] 15%
UMass Amherst/YouGov[26][B] October 21–29, 2025 800 (A) ± 4.1% 49% 27% 7%[f] 17%
Advantage, Inc. (R)[36][C] September 23–24, 2025 750 (LV) ± 3.6% 45% 34% – 21%
UMass Amherst/YouGov[37][B] February 14–20, 2025 700 (A) ± 4.8% 40% 15% 6%[g] 39%

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] February 12–16, 2026 620 (LV) ± 3.9% 56% 27% 2%[e] 15%
UMass Amherst/YouGov[26][B] October 21–29, 2025 800 (A) ± 4.1% 51% 26% 7%[f] 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] February 12–16, 2026 620 (LV) ± 3.9% 58% 28% 1%[h] 13%
UMass Amherst/YouGov[26][B] October 21–29, 2025 800 (A) ± 4.1% 48% 27% 7%[f] 18%
Advantage, Inc. (R)[36][C] September 23–24, 2025 750 (LV) ± 3.6% 46% 31% – 23%
UMass Amherst/YouGov[37][B] February 14–20, 2025 700 (A) ± 4.8% 44% 12% 6%[g] 38%
Hypothetical polling

Maura Healey vs. Peter Durant

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Maura
Healey (D) 		Peter
Durant (R) 		Other Undecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov[37][B] February 14–20, 2025 700 (A) ± 4.8% 41% 14% 6%[g] 39%

Maura Healey vs. Lewis Evangelidis

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Maura
Healey (D) 		Lewis
Evangelidis (R) 		Other Undecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov[37][B] February 14–20, 2025 700 (A) ± 4.8% 44% 14% 6%[g] 36%

Maura Healey vs. John Deaton

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Maura
Healey (D) 		John
Deaton (R) 		Other Undecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov[37][B] February 14–20, 2025 700 (A) ± 4.8% 45% 25% 4%[i] 26%

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ^ With voters who lean towards a given candidate
  3. ^ "Would not vote" with 3%
  4. ^ "Would not vote" with 0%
  5. ^ a b "Another candidate" with 2%
  6. ^ a b c "Would not vote" with 7%
  7. ^ a b c d "Would not vote" with 6%
  8. ^ "Another candidate" with 1%
  9. ^ "Would not vote" with 4%

Partisan clients

  1. ^ Poll sponsored by The Boston Globe
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Poll sponsored by WCVB
  3. ^ a b Poll sponsored by the Fiscal Alliance Foundation

References

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  1. ^ Shook, Ashley (September 22, 2025). "Massachusetts legislature approves 2026 primary election date". WWLP. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Van Buskirk, Chris (August 29, 2025). "Alan Leventhal, former ambassador to Denmark, considering running for governor in 2026". Boston Herald. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Micek, John L. (February 10, 2026). "Worcester Mayor Petty, local pols endorse Mass. Gov. Healey, Lt. Gov Driscoll for reelection". MassachusettsLive. Retrieved February 12, 2026. In addition to Petty, O'Brien and O'Day, the local pols who endorsed Healey and Driscoll are: State Sens. Robyn Kennedy, D-1st Worcester and Michael Moore, D-2nd Worcester, along with Democratic Reps. John Mahoney, D-13th Worcester, Mary Keefe, D-15th Worcester, Daniel Donahue, D-16th Worcester, and David LeBoeuf, D-17th Worcester, as well as Governor's Councillor Paul DePalo.
  6. ^ a b c d Kinney, Jim (February 17, 2026). "With Holyoke 'top-of-mind,' Healey grabs Paper City endorsements in reelection bid". The Republican. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d "Massachusetts Playbook". POLITICO. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  8. ^ "EMILYs List Endorses Maura Healey for Governor of Massachusetts". emilyslist.org. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  9. ^ "LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Endorses 53 Candidates in 2025 Races, Mike Simmons (IL-09), James Osyf (VA-02), and Everton Blair for U.S. House". victoryfund.org. September 25, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  10. ^ "Jewish Dems Endorsed Candidates". Jewish Democratic Council of America. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  11. ^ "Healey says she plans to run for reelection". WBUR. February 7, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  12. ^ Van Buskirk, Chris (April 7, 2025). "Mike Kennealy, former Baker cabinet secretary, launches Republican run for governor". Boston Herald. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  13. ^ "Businessman and GOP donor Michael Minogue jumps into Mass. governor's race". WBUR-FM. October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  14. ^ Van Buskirk, Chris (May 12, 2025). "Former MBTA chief administrator Brian Shortsleeve launches Republican run for governor". Boston Herald. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Klein, Asher (November 11, 2025). "Republican John Deaton announces second straight U.S. Senate run". NBC10 Boston. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  17. ^ Van Buskirk, Chris (May 11, 2025). "Peter Durant, Spencer Republican, decides against running for governor in 2026". Boston Herald. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  18. ^ Dunn-Boston, Tim (November 25, 2025). "Kennealy wins first State House endorsement in bid for governor". The Killeen Daily Herald. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  19. ^ a b "Mass. lawmakers hope early endorsements of GOP candidates for governor drum up support". WBUR. December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025. A spokesman for the former governor said he "has no plans to endorse in the GOP gubernatorial primary at this time."
  20. ^ a b c d e f "Pols & politics: GOP gubernatorial endorsements galore". MSN. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  21. ^ Stout, Matt (June 12, 2025). "Two former Charlie Baker appointees are vying to be governor. Those from Baker-world are starting to pick sides". Boston Globe. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  22. ^ a b Dunn, Tim (November 13, 2025). "Durant endorses Shortsleeve in Republican race for Massachusetts governor". Boston Herald. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  23. ^ Garrity, Kelly (December 10, 2025). "Still in the game". Politico. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ "Massachusetts Polls - Suffolk University Political Research Center - Suffolk University". Suffolk University. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  26. ^ a b c d Tenser, Phil (November 5, 2025). "UMass Amherst/WCVB poll examines how GOP challengers fare against Mass. Gov. Maura Healey". WCVB. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  27. ^ McKinley, Sean P.; Azem, Zachary S.; Smith, Andrew E.; Keirns, Tracy (September 29, 2025). "Bay Staters Believe Healey Deserves Re-Election, Oppose Immigration Crackdown in Boston". University of New Hampshire. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  28. ^ Young, Colin A. (September 17, 2025). "Republican Anne Brensley brings select board, CEO experience to lieutenant governor race". Cape Cod Times. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  29. ^ "Candidates". Maggie's List. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  30. ^ Markos, Roberto Scalese (October 17, 2025). "Here's who's running for Mass. governor in 2026". WBUR. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  31. ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  32. ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  33. ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  34. ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  35. ^ a b c McKinley, Sean P.; Smith, Andrew E.; Azem, Zachary S.; Keirns, Tracy (February 24, 2026). "Bay Staters Support Same Day Registration, Lower Taxes & Rent Control, Oppose Recreational Marijuana Repeal". University of New Hampshire. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  36. ^ a b "Fiscal Alliance Foundation - 750 Likely Voters" (PDF). Fiscal Alliance Foundation. October 2, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  37. ^ a b c d e "Toplines: University of Massachusetts Amherst/WCVB - February 2025 Massachusetts Poll" (PDF). University of Massachusetts Amherst. February 24, 2025 – via 270toWin.
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Official campaign websites
Official lieutenant gubernatorial campaign websites
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