The 2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Massachusetts. Democratic incumbent Maura Healey won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican businessman Mike Minogue.
Primary elections took place on September 1, 2026, where Healey won the Democratic nomination running unopposed, while Minogue won the Republican nomination against Brian Shortsleeve. In the run-up to the general election, Republican candidate Mike Minogue spent $6.1 million in September 2026 on his election bid, making it the most expensive gubernatorial race in Massachusetts history. Minogue outspent the 2006 Republican nominee and former Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, who spent $4.4 million in the run-up to the general election versus Deval Patrick.
Democratic primary
Governor
Candidates
- Maura Healey, incumbent governor (2023–present)
- Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts state auditor (2023–present) (running for re-election)
Endorsements
Maura Healey
Statewide officials
- Paul DePalo, governor's councillor from the 7th district (2021–present)
State legislators
- Brian Ashe, state representative from the 2nd Hampden district (2009–present)
- Dan Donahue, state representative from the 16th Worcester district (2013–present)
- Patricia Duffy, state representative from the 5th Hampden district (2021–present)
- Mary Keefe, state representative from the 15th Worcester district (2013–present)
- Robyn Kennedy, state senator from the 1st Worcester district (2023–present)
- David LeBoeuf, state representative from the 17th Worcester district (2019–present)
- John J. Mahoney, state representative from the 13th Worcester district (2011–present)
- Michael O. Moore, state senator from the 2nd Worcester district (2009–present)
- Jim O'Day, state representative from the 14th Worcester district (2007–present)
Local officials
- Joshua Garcia, mayor of Holyoke (2021–present)
- Joseph O'Brien, former mayor of Worcester (2010–2012)
- Joseph Petty, mayor of Worcester (2012–present)
Labor unions
- 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
- Massachusetts AFL-CIO
- SEIU 32BJ
- Sheet Metal Workers Local 17
Organizations
- EMILYs List
- End Citizens United
- Giffords
- Human Rights Campaign
- Jewish Democratic Council of America
- LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Political parties
- Massachusetts Democratic Party
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
- Kim Driscoll, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present)
Endorsements
Kim Driscoll
Statewide officials
- Paul DePalo, governor's councillor from the 7th district (2021–present)
State legislators
- Dan Donahue, state representative from the 16th Worcester district (2013–present)
- Mary Keefe, state representative from the 15th Worcester district (2013–present)
- Robyn Kennedy, state senator from the 1st Worcester district (2023–present)
- David LeBoeuf, state representative from the 17th Worcester district (2019–present)
- John J. Mahoney, state representative from the 13th Worcester district (2011–present)
- Michael O. Moore, state senator from the 2nd Worcester district (2009–present)
- Jim O'Day, state representative from the 14th Worcester district (2007–present)
Local officials
- Joshua Garcia, mayor of Holyoke (2021–present)
- Joseph O'Brien, former mayor of Worcester (2010–2012)
- Joseph Petty, mayor of Worcester (2012–present)
Labor unions
- Sheet Metal Workers Local 17
Organizations
- EMILYs List
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Political parties
- Massachusetts Democratic Party
Republican primary
Governor
Candidates
- Michael Minogue, former CEO of Abiomed
- Brian Shortsleeve, former chief administrator and acting general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (running with Shawn Oliver)
- Mike Kennealy, former Massachusetts secretary of housing and economic development (ran with Anne Manning Martin, endorsed Minogue after convention)
- John Deaton, attorney and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024 (ran for U.S. Senate)
- Peter Durant, state senator from the Worcester and Hampshire district (2023–present) (ran for re-election)
Endorsements
Mike Kennealy (eliminated at convention)
Brian Shortsleeve
- Scott Brown, former ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2017–2020) and former U.S. senator from Massachusetts (2010–2013)
- Tom Cotton, Arkansas (2015–present)
- Rick Scott, Florida (2019–present)
- Nicholas Boldyga, state representative from the 3rd Hampden district (2011–present)
- Ginny Coppola, former state representative from the 1st Bristol district (2006–2007)
- William Crocker Jr., former state representative from the 2nd Barnstable district (2017–2021)
- Peter Durant, state senator from the Worcester and Hampshire district (2023–present)
- Paul Frost, state representative from the 7th Worcester district (1997–present)
- Marc Lombardo, state representative from the 22nd Middlesex district (2011–present)
- Jeff Perry, former state representative from the 5th Barnstable district (2003–2011)
- Michael Soter, state representative from the 8th Worcester district (2019–present)
- Daniel K. Webster, former state representative from the 6th Plymouth district (2003–2013)
- Shaunna O'Connell, mayor of Taunton (2020–present) and former state representative from the 3rd Bristol district (2011–2020)
- The Boston Globe (Republican primary only)
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.
Candidates
- Shawn Oliver, New Bedford city councilor and former corrections officer (ran with Brian Shortsleeve)
- Anne Brensley, former Wayland Selectmen member (2023–2026) (running for secretary of state)
- 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)
Endorsements
Anne Manning Martin (disqualified)
Individuals
- Mike Kennealy, gubernatorial candidate
Shawn Oliver
Individuals
- Brian Shortsleeve, gubernatorial candidate
Third parties and independents
Candidates
Declared
- Andrea James, criminal justice nonprofit executive (Independent)
- Running mate: Kayla Kittredge (Independent)
Did not qualify
- Muhammed Kokonezis-Hanino (Independent)
General election
Shawn Oliver arrest
Around 11:40 p.m. EST on October 17, 2026, Minogue's running mate Shawn Oliver crashed into multiple parked cars after his SUV rolled over on Dartmouth Street in New Bedford. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital and subsequently arrested on charges of driving under the influence, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a lane violation, and speeding. Minogue said he was "extremely disappointed" and asked Oliver to suspend his campaign, saying that he would immediately ask him to resign if elected. Oliver suspended his campaign on October 18, but his name will remain on the ballot.
Post-primary endorsements
Mike Minogue (R)
Polling
Aggregate polls