Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has declared her intent to seek a second term in office, setting her sights on the 2026 election. During her appearance today on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio,” Healey, the state's first woman and openly LGBTQ governor, confirmed her plans to continue the work she's started. "When Kim and I started, we laid out in our inaugural address things that we wanted to do. We wanted to get after housing, and we wanted to get after transportation, we wanted to cut taxes, we wanted to make investments in education," Healey said, according to NBC Boston. "And I feel like we've done all those things, and there's a heck of a lot more to do. And so I plan to run for reelection, because there's a lot more to do."
Healey, who turned 54 the day after her announcement, touted accomplishments such as the tax relief bill she signed into law in 2023, a fulfillment of her pledge to reduce taxes during her campaign. Her comments indicate a commitment to build on progress in key areas like housing, transportation, and education, which have been central to her administration's agenda. No Republicans have yet formally thrown their hat into the ring, but several figures are flirting with the possibility. State Senator Peter Durant has publicly criticized Healey's management of the state's shelter system, suggesting he's mulling over a gubernatorial bid, and Mike Kennealy, a former state secretary, is also "seriously considering" running for governor, as per reports from The Boston Globe.
On the GOP front, Brian Shortsleeve, a former chief administrator of the MBTA under Governor Charlie Baker, is rumored to be considering a run. These speculations come from GOP insiders who have liaised with Shortsleeve. With the confirmation of Healey's candidacy, the stage is set for what could become a spirited contest for the governor's seat in the coming year.
Healey, a New Hampshire native and former professional basketball player, has made significant strides in her political career since returning to Massachusetts and attending Northeastern University School of Law. After a tenure as attorney general, she was propelled to the governorship on a platform of progressive reform and pragmatic governance. Now with the election on the horizon, Healey is looking to propel the Commonwealth forward, believing fervently that her work—in her own words—is far from over. As mentioned in The Boston Globe, "I feel like we’ve done all those things, and yet there’s a heck of a lot more to do," Healey told listeners on her Boston Public Radio appearance.
