2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

Last updated

2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
Flag of Massachusetts.svg
  2022 November 3, 20262030 
 
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 state does not have gubernatorial term limits.

Contents

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Filed paperwork

  • Andrea James, nonprofit founder [2]

Declined

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Publicly expressed interest

Declined

Endorsements

Brian Shortsleeve
State legislators

Independents

Candidates

Declared

  • Connor Gray, rapper [11]

Declined

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [12] Solid DJanuary 23, 2025
Inside Elections [13] Solid DFebruary 6, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [14] Safe DMay 1, 2025
Race to the WH [15] Safe DJune 30, 2025

Polling

Maura Healey vs. Brian Shortsleeve

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Maura
Healey (D)
Brian
Shortsleeve (R)
OtherUndecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov [16] [A] February 14–20, 2025700 (A)± 4.8%44%12%6% [a] 38%

Maura Healey vs. Mike Kennealy

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Maura
Healey (D)
Mike
Kennealy (R)
OtherUndecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov [16] [A] February 14–20, 2025700 (A)± 4.8%40%15%6% [a] 39%
Hypothetical polling

Maura Healey vs. Peter Durant

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Maura
Healey (D)
Peter
Durant (R)
OtherUndecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov [16] [A] February 14–20, 2025700 (A)± 4.8%41%14%6% [a] 39%

Maura Healey vs. Lewis Evangelidis

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Maura
Healey (D)
Lewis
Evangelidis (R)
OtherUndecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov [16] [A] February 14–20, 2025700 (A)± 4.8%44%14%6% [a] 36%

Maura Healey vs. John Deaton

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Maura
Healey (D)
John
Deaton (R)
OtherUndecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov [16] [A] February 14–20, 2025700 (A)± 4.8%45%25%4% [b] 26%

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Would not vote" with 6%
  2. "Would not vote" with 4%

Partisan clients

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Poll sponsored by WCVB

References

  1. 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.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. 1 2 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.
  4. Van Buskirk, Chris (April 7, 2025). "Mike Kennealy, former Baker cabinet secretary, launches Republican run for governor". Boston Herald . Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  5. Van Buskirk, Chris (May 12, 2025). "Former MBTA chief administrator Brian Shortsleeve launches Republican run for governor". Boston Herald . Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  6. 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.
  7. Van Buskirk, Chris (February 27, 2025). "Bellingham Republican Michael Soter considering statewide run, including against Ed Markey". Boston Herald . Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  8. Van Buskirk, Chris (May 25, 2025). "Pols & Politics: Bruce Tarr is a 'never say never' to running for governor in 2026". Boston Herald. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  9. 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.
  10. Van Buskirk, Chris (May 11, 2025). "Peter Durant, Spencer Republican, decides against running for governor in 2026". Boston Herald . Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  11. 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.
  12. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  13. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  14. "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  15. "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "Toplines: University of Massachusetts Amherst/WCVB - February 2025 Massachusetts Poll" (PDF). 270toWin. February 24, 2025.
Official campaign websites