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2026 Massachusetts Governor

The Governor of Massachusetts serves a four‑year term with no term limits. They propose the state budget, sign or veto laws, and appoint judges and agency leaders who shape major state policies. They also serve as commander‑in‑chief of the state’s military forces and represent Massachusetts in dealings with the federal government.

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  • Candidate picture

    Michael Roger Minogue
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Brian Shortsleeve
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

What actions would you support to improve the availability of affordable housing in Massachusetts?

How will you address the lack of affordable health care insurance for Massachusetts residents?

How do you plan to protect the legal rights and safety of immigrants and their families?

In preparing the 2027-28 budget what areas would you prioritize for significant investments in funding? And where would the funding come from?

How would you accomplish the state’s clean energy goals and increase energy affordability?

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Massachusetts’ housing crisis is driven by excessive regulation, high construction costs, and a slow, costly permitting process. To expand affordable housing, we must make it cheaper to build.

My administration would cut energy costs by eliminating unnecessary state-mandated utility fees, expanding natural gas infrastructure, and lowering energy costs for homeowners and builders.

I would repeal the stretch energy code and other burdensome rules that inflate costs and favor large luxury developers over smaller builders.

By streamlining permitting and cutting red tape, we can make it viable to build starter homes and attainable single-family housing. Young families deserve the chance to buy a home and put down roots in the Commonwealth.
Massachusetts residents deserve high-quality, affordable health care, but rising premiums crush families and small businesses. Lower costs through competition, transparency, and smarter policy.

Allow small businesses to band together for lower rates, matching large employers. Improve Medicaid rates, funded by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, to cut cost-shifting. Premiums rising over 10% next year to nearly three times the state’s benchmark is unsustainable.

Expand Health Savings Accounts for tax-free medical expenses and savings. Expand telehealth for rural areas, seniors, and limited-access patients. Require price transparency so patients know costs before care. Increase competition, eliminate waste, empower patients.
The United States and Massachusetts have a proud history of legal immigration. Immigrants have helped build our communities, strengthen our economy, and contribute to what makes our Commonwealth exceptional. I will always protect the legal rights of immigrants and support a fair, orderly, lawful immigration system.

I strongly support legal immigration and welcome those who come to work hard, contribute, and pursue the American Dream. International students earning a degree from an accredited American college or university should have a clear pathway to citizenship. Massachusetts is home to world-leading colleges, yet too often we educate talent only to see it leave.

Keeping that talent here strengthens our workforce and grows our economy.
My top budget priority is increasing local aid to Massachusetts cities and towns. Those closest to local challenges are best positioned to decide how taxpayer dollars are spent.

Many municipalities cannot keep up with rising costs, causing cuts to schools, public safety, and roads.

As governor, I would significantly increase local aid, aiming to double state support for cities and towns. Shifting resources locally reduces taxpayer pressure.

Funding would come from reprioritizing state spending, eliminating waste and bureaucracy, and focusing government on core responsibilities. Massachusetts has a spending and priorities problem, not a revenue problem.
Massachusetts should pursue clean energy that is practical, affordable, and reliable. I would change the state’s 2050 net-zero mandate into a goal rather than a rigid legal requirement, giving flexibility to reduce emissions while protecting families and businesses from unnecessary costs.

My top priority is making energy more affordable. I would eliminate unnecessary state-mandated charges on utility bills, expand natural gas pipeline infrastructure to improve reliability and lower costs, and repeal the stretch energy code that has driven up building costs.

Nuclear power should be a key part of Massachusetts’ long-term energy strategy. Modern nuclear offers around-the-clock, carbon-free electricity without the intermittency of wind and so