Who is Maura Healey and what is Healey running on in the 2026 Massachusetts Governor race?

Maura Healey is the Democratic candidate for Massachusetts governor, and the incumbent. Governor since January 2023; former state Attorney General (2015-2023). Running mate: Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Incumbent Maura Healey (D) seeking a 2nd term.
• Rating: Solid D (Cook, Inside Elections, RCP, 2026).
• Polling: Healey 54, Minogue 30 (UNH, Aug 20 to 24, 2026); UMass Amherst/YouGov Aug 5 to 12: Healey 53, Minogue 33.

Why Healey is ahead

• Massachusetts is strongly Democratic, and Healey is an incumbent leading by 20+ points.
• Healey is tying Minogue to Trump and stressing abortion rights in a blue state.
• Minogue attacks on emergency shelter costs, energy prices and unfunded mandates, and appeals to the roughly 65% of voters who are unenrolled.
• Minogue is a first-time candidate who can self-fund (former Abiomed CEO), but his pro-life stance is a hard sell in Massachusetts.

What Healey is running on

• Trump. Makes opposing the Trump administration a central theme and ties Minogue to Trump.
• Abortion. Signed a bill loosening abortion restrictions in August 2026.
• Energy costs. Wants to bring as much energy as possible into the region to lower costs.
• Housing/healthcare. Touts housing reform and expanded healthcare.
• Transportation. Highlights the MBTA turnaround.
• Shelters/immigration. Says shelter costs are down and family caseloads have halved since she took office.

In Healey’s own words

“Mike Minogue stands with Donald Trump, I’ll always stand with you.”

“We’re dealing with a federal administration that is creating a lot of problems for our state.”

The other candidates

• Mike Minogue (R)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.