2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

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.

2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent Governor Maura Healey Democratic

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

• Maura Healey, incumbent governor (2023–present)^[1]

Filed paperwork

• Andrea James, nonprofit founder^[2]

Declined

• Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts State Auditor (2023–present)^[3]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Mike Kennealy, former Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development^[4]
• Brian Shortsleeve, former chief administrator and acting general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority^[5]

Publicly expressed interest

• Michael Minogue, former CEO of Abiomed^[6]
• Michael Soter, state representative from the 8th Worcester district (2019–present)^[7]
• Bruce Tarr, Minority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate (2011–present)^[8]

Declined

• John Deaton, attorney and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024^[9]
• Peter Durant, state senator from the Worcester and Hampshire district (2023–present) (running for re-election)^[10]

Endorsements

Brian Shortsleeve

State legislators

• Marc Lombardo, state representative from the 22nd Middlesex district (2011–present)^[2]

Independents

Candidates

Declared

• Connor Gray, rapper^[11]

Declined

• Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts State Auditor (2023–present) (Democratic)^[3]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[12]	Solid D	January 23, 2025
Inside Elections[13]	Solid D	February 6, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[14]	Safe D	May 1, 2025
Race to the WH[15]	Safe D	June 30, 2025

Polling

Maura Healey vs. Brian Shortsleeve

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Maura Healey (D)	Brian Shortsleeve (R)	Other	Undecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov[16][A]	February 14–20, 2025	700 (A)	± 4.8%	44%	12%	6%[a]	38%

Maura Healey vs. Mike Kennealy

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Maura Healey (D)	Mike Kennealy (R)	Other	Undecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov[16][A]	February 14–20, 2025	700 (A)	± 4.8%	40%	15%	6%[a]	39%

Hypothetical polling

Maura Healey vs. Peter Durant

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Maura Healey (D)	Peter Durant (R)	Other	Undecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov[16][A]	February 14–20, 2025	700 (A)	± 4.8%	41%	14%	6%[a]	39%

Maura Healey vs. Lewis Evangelidis

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Maura Healey (D)	Lewis Evangelidis (R)	Other	Undecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov[16][A]	February 14–20, 2025	700 (A)	± 4.8%	44%	14%	6%[a]	36%

Maura Healey vs. John Deaton

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Maura Healey (D)	John Deaton (R)	Other	Undecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov[16][A]	February 14–20, 2025	700 (A)	± 4.8%	45%	25%	4%[b]	26%

See also

• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Notes

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

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by WCVB