The 2026 governor’s race is beginning to take shape, with Lexington Republican Mike Kennealy jumping in on Monday as the first official challenger to Democrat Gov. Maura Healey.
Here’s what to know about Kennealy and the contest that’s just starting to unfold.
He sees Massachusetts heading in the wrong direction
In his announcement video, Kennealy makes the case that it’s time for change.
“Everything from gas to housing to taxes is too expensive,” he said. “Too many kids aren’t receiving the education they need to compete in a global economy. Our transportation system is still broken. The unspeakable violence in migrant shelters is a human tragedy and a national embarrassment.”
He’ll be making that pitch to an electorate that, so far, approves of Healey’s performance more than it disapproves.
A February poll from UMass Amherst found Healey with a 52% approval rating.
Poll director Tatishe Nteta says the surveys show housing affordability and the migrant crisis are weak spots for Healey.
“Any rational challenger to Gov. Healey is going to focus on those areas of weakness, and we see that in today’s announcement,” Nteta, provost professor of political science at UMass Amherst, told GBH News. “Kennealy’s focus in his campaign announcement was on primarily the migrant crisis and issues of affordability and housing, so I think this is just a preview of the ways in which her challengers are going to attempt to paint the picture that Healey should be a one-term governor.”
Kennealy was Charlie Baker’s housing and economics chief
After a career in the private equity industry, Kennealy served in Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration. He spent four years as housing and economic development secretary, helping craft the state’s approach to reopening after COVID-19 business closures.
Kennealy also held that role when Baker signed the MBTA Communities Act, the controversial law that requires multifamily zoning near transit stations.
The Massachusetts Democratic Party labeled him “MAGA Mike Kennealy,” seeking to tie him to President Donald Trump, and zeroed in on Kennealy’s background.
“Mike Kennealy’s job was to oversee housing and economic development in our state. He failed to prevent skyrocketing housing costs and failed to cut taxes — which Governor Healey passed in her first year in office,” Mass. Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan said in a statement, pointing to a tax relief proposal that lawmakers did not advance under Baker and passed when Healey proposed her version. “We need a Governor who is going to continue to deliver for people and stand up to Donald Trump, not take us backwards - it’s why we must re-elect Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll.”
Kennealy does not mention Trump in his announcement video, but the president and Massachusetts’ response to his agenda will loom large over the 2026 gubernatorial race.
As housing and economic development chief, Kennealy visited more than 150 of the state’s 351 cities and towns, according to his campaign.
Criss-crossing the state as a cabinet secretary doesn’t necessarily translate into name recognition with voters, though.
The UMass poll found Kennealy taking in 15% of the vote in a hypothetical matchup against Healey, with almost 40% of respondents undecided. Another 40% backed Healey.
Nteta said the run-up to Election Day — still a year and a half away — will be about challengers introducing themselves to voters.
“I think over time, we’re going to see a shrinking of that lead that Healey experiences, and whether or not that will reflect an upset challenger taking the mantle of governor in 2026 is still to be seen,” he said.
He may not be the only one putting his name on the GOP ballot
Kennealy is the only Republican officially in the race at this point, more than a year from the primary. But several other potential contenders are reportedly mulling bids, including Brian Shortsleeve, who was MBTA administrator under Baker, GOP donor Michael Minogue , and Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis.
State Sen. Peter Durant of Spencer, a vocal critic of the Healey administration, has said he’ll make a decision soon.
Rob Gray, a Republican strategist who advised Baker and former Govs. Bill Weld, Paul Cellucci and Mitt Romney on their gubernatorial runs, said all the prospective GOP candidates have good resumes and the race will “come down to execution and fundraising.”
“For any Republican to beat an incumbent Democrat in Massachusetts, they’re going to have to outspend that incumbent by a significant margin, so you’re looking at $20 million-plus for a Republican to have a chance,” he told GBH News. “Which of these candidates can meet that mark, I don’t know.”
