BOSTON — Republicans Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve will face off in September’s GOP primary for a chance to challenge Democratic Gov. Maura Healey in the general election, after both secured a spot on the ballot at the party’s convention.
Minogue, the former CEO of bio-medical device company and a top Republican donor, cinched the state Republican Party’s endorsement with a landslide win at the GOP’s convention in Worcester on Saturday, picking up 70% of the votes from about 1,800 party delegates.
In remarks at the convention, Minogue vowed to repeal the MBTA Communities Act, which requires cities and towns on the transit system to provide more zoning for multifamily housing, and to prevent Massachusetts from becoming a sanctuary state that limits cooperation with federal immigration crackdowns.
“I’m the only political outsider running for governor, and that gives me the freedom and the ability to fight for you,” Minogue said. “We know this is a tipping point election. This is a special time. Look around. This is our time to answer our call to come together to win and save the commonwealth.”
Shortsleeve, a venture capitalist and former MBTA official, also won a spot on the ballot with 16% of the vote. He had previously qualified for the ballot by submitting the required number of signatures. He panned Minogue as a political newcomer, arguing that he stands a better chance of defeating Healey.
“We got exactly what we came here to do. We qualified for the ballot, and we’re excited to move forward in a head-to-head race,” Shortsleeve said in a statement. “Voters are looking for someone who is serious, tested, and ready to take on Maura Healey. That’s the campaign we’re running.”
Mike Kenneally, a former Baker administration official, picked up only 14% of the vote at the GOP convention and didn’t make the party’s primary ballot. He dropped out of the race on Sunday.
Meanwhile, three GOP candidates for lieutenant governor qualified for the ballot at Saturday’s convention. Anne Brensley, a Wayland selectwoman who was endorsed by Minogue, picked up the most delegates with about 57% of the votes cast, according to MassGOP.
Peabody City Councilor Anne Manning Martin, who was Kenneally’s running mate for lieutenant governor, finished second at 27%, while New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver, Shortsleeve’s running mate, picked up 17% of the vote.
In Massachusetts, while candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run separately in party primaries, winners are matched on the general election ballot. But sometimes the candidates team up to run as a team prior to party delegates choosing a nominee at their conventions.
Each candidate needed at least 15% support among delegates to get onto the Sept. 1 primary ballot. Candidates who don’t get across that threshold must collect signatures to appear on the ballot. Those that get more than 50% of the vote at the convention become the party’s officially endorsed candidates.
Republicans also endorsed GOP candidates who are running without opponents, including John Deaton for U.S. Senate, Elizabeth Dionne for treasurer, and Mike Walsh for attorney general.
At Saturday’s convention, Republicans heaped criticism on incumbent Gov. Healey and her policies on immigration, energy, and housing that they say have driven up costs for middle and working class families in the state.
To be sure, Republicans face long odds winning control of Beacon Hill, with Democrats holding the governor’s office, attorney general and other constitutional offices, and a super majority in the state House of Representatives and Senate. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 3-1 margin.
Recent poll have shown Healey with a double digit advantage over her Republican challengers.
Despite that, the state’s voters have a tradition of sending GOP candidates to the governor’s office, with five of the state’s last six chief executives being Republicans.
Amy Carnevale, chairwoman of the state Republican Party, said the convention results “reflect the strong will of Massachusetts Republicans.”
“We are proud to put forward Mike Minogue and Anne Brensley as our endorsed ticket,” she said. “Together, they offer a bold vision that will deliver results for every corner of the Commonwealth.”
But Steve Kerrigan, chairman of the state’s Democratic Party, criticize the GOP for picking the “two most extreme, pro-Trump candidates” to run for governor. The party rolled out a new digital ad campaign Monday seeking to tie both candidates to Trump’s divisive political agenda.
“Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve both back Donald Trump and his agenda of chaos and high prices, supporting ICE, opposing women’s reproductive rights, and making life more expensive for people across our state,” Kerrigan said in a statement. “Voters already know they are too MAGA for Massachusetts.”
Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.