Minogue dominates as Republicans narrow Massachusetts gubernatorial field to two

BY KATIE CASTELLANI & ELLA ADAMS

WORCESTER, MASS., APRIL 25, 2026…..Republican delegates qualified two out of three possible gubernatorial candidates for the September primary ballot: Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve. Minogue earned the convention’s endorsement by a landslide.

Minogue received 70.38% of the delegates’ votes and Shortsleeve earned 15.5% — narrowly surpassing the 15% threshold needed for his candidacy to survive.

Mike Kennealy, secretary of housing and economic development under former Gov. Charlie Baker, received 14.11% of the delegates’ votes, spelling an end to his bid for the party’s nomination. A small number of delegates chose not to cast a vote for a gubernatorial candidate.

Minogue, former CEO of Danvers-based biotech firm Abiomed, opened his convention speech by asking the audience questions, including if delegates were ready for the voter-approved legislative audit and to “get criminal illegal immigrants off our streets.”

The DCU Center audience erupted in cheers. 

Minogue leaned on his faith, saying he believes “all things are possible with God.” He touted his work leading Abiomed, a company he said was on the path to bankruptcy when he took over. As governor, Minogue said he would do something similar for Massachusetts, helping the state address its affordability woes as well as what he called waning economic competitiveness and an “illegal immigration crisis.”

“So, how do we get on the right path? We elect a leader with integrity and common sense and compassion,” he said. “We elect a new kind of governor with a blueprint to accountability, affordability, opportunity and keeps communities safe.”

Minogue promised to take several actions as governor, including, auditing the Legislature and budget; cutting taxes and spending by getting rid of “waste and fraud”; cutting energy utility fees; investing in energy sources like natural gas and nuclear, which he said were safe, clean and more affordable; canceling and repeal the state’s net zero emissions mandates; and growing jobs by retaining and recruiting entrepreneurs and businesses.

“I’m the only candidate and CEO that has actually built a company and sweated the details, so I will cut red tape. I know how it works,” he said.

Shortsleeve and Kennealy made similar promises to delegates during their speeches.

A former MBTA chief administrator and acting general manager, Shortsleeve leaned on his time as a Marine and small business owner while introducing himself to the convention. 

“We need a new governor with the determination of a Marine, the mindset of a businessman, the perspective of an outsider and the urgency of a father who knows the clock is ticking until the time when my kids and yours decide whether to stay or whether to go. I will be that governor,” he said.

Shortsleeve also backed a legislative audit — similar to the one Auditor Diana DiZoglio is attempting — saying he would audit every agency and program in state government if elected. He added that part of his work at the T involved agency audits, including one he said uncovered millions in fraud.

Shortsleeve also advocated for cutting the income tax rate, saying he would support a proposed ballot initiative to cut it from 5% to 4%. 

“Middle class tax relief that that ballot question would deliver is the first step in restoring affordability,” Shortsleeve told the News Service during the convention. 

Additionally, Shortsleeve said he would strip “state mandated green fees” out of utility bills and fire the Parole Board, which he said “treats criminals like victims and victims like afterthoughts.”

Kennealy’s camp could not immediately be reached after the convention results were announced Saturday evening.

Delegates also gave all three candidates for lieutenant governor enough support to secure their name on the ballot. Minogue-backed Anne Brensley secured the party endorsement receiving 1,100 votes, about 56% of delegates’ support. 

“If we have four more years of the Healey-Driscoll administration, then what we’re losing each day will be gone forever. The real repercussions of these policies cut deeply, are relentless and do not spare anyone,” Brensley said. 

At around 5 p.m., to a crowd of delegates who were frustrated with voting delays, Brensley said, “I don’t know about you, but I want to hear from some governors, so my speech is going to be real short: Thank you all so much for believing in me, we’re just starting. Let’s go.”

Gubernatorial candidates had not given their speeches yet, putting the convention hours behind its tentative schedule.

Anne Manning-Martin, running with Kennealy, received 27.33% of the votes with 536. Delegates cast 325 votes, or 16.57%, for Shortsleeve’s preferred running mate Shawn Oliver.

“In Peabody and in local government, you don’t get to hide from the people you serve, especially when you’re looking for their votes. You don’t get to duck responsibility,” Manning-Martin told delegates, railing on the Healey administration for much of her speech. 

A New Bedford city councilor and state correction officer, Shawn Oliver spoke about his experience as a first-generation Portuguese American, criticizing the state’s criminal justice system, “sanctuary policies,” cost of living, and outmigration, arguing that “Beacon Hill has made it nearly impossible for the next generation to build a life here.”

“Families all across Massachusetts are being pushed to the edge. Businesses are closing and our young people are leaving,” Oliver said. “Heck, that little girl that I had when I was 17 — she did it. She couldn’t afford to stay in Massachusetts, and is living over the border in Rhode Island. As a father, that disgusts me.”

An elongated voting and counting period for the lieutenant governor endorsement caused a ruckus among delegates. MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale said the delay stemmed from the time it took delegates “getting up and down the DCU Center and the stairs,” the larger number of members present in some districts, and the desire for privacy among voters. 

“In a couple of districts, some of the leads wanted to assure that their delegates had a more private experience,” Carnevale said. “That caused a little bit of a delay in a couple of the districts.”

In a pre-convention webinar Friday, MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan told Democrats that the party expects to have “a clear picture of this race after this weekend.”

“What we do know is we have seen an unprecedented level of self funding in this race,” Kerrigan said. “All three of these candidates have been pouring their own money into the race, and on top of that, they all have super PACs affiliated with them, as well. All of these factors really set up this race to be probably the most expensive governor’s race in our commonwealth’s history.”

In the first quarter of 2026, Minogue led the fundraising pack among statewide candidates, bringing in more than $7.5 million — $7 million of which came from Minogue himself. Shortsleeve brought in about $646,500 throughout the quarter and Kennealy raised around $438,900, according to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance. 

“Each of these candidates seeking their nomination are going to be focused on bringing Donald Trump’s harmful agenda to Massachusetts,” Kerrigan said. “This convention is basically going to be a race to the bottom to satisfy the MAGA base of delegates who are really going to decide the GOP nominee. Our job always is to stay focused on fighting against the misinformation and the attacks we know are coming.”

The Massachusetts Democratic nominating convention is set for May 29 and 30, also at the DCU Center in Worcester. 

GOP candidates will now be eyeing voter support for the next few months leading up to September’s primary.

Katie Castellani and Ella Adams are reporters for the State House News Service and State Affairs Massachusetts. Reach them at kcastellani@statehousenews.com and ella.adams@statehousenews.com.