First Head-to-Head Debate Held Between Healey and Minogue
The one-hour televised debate will be the candidates' first before the Nov. 3 election and will air across TV, radio and digital platforms.
- On Thursday, Democratic Governor Maura Healey and Republican challenger Mike Minogue faced off in their first gubernatorial debate in Brighton, a one-hour clash centered on the state's economic challenges.
- Healey referenced President Donald Trump 32 times throughout the debate, while Minogue argued her policies caused the nation's highest costs for health care, electricity, and education.
- Minogue attacked the $2 billion Springfield courthouse project as corrupt; Healey disputed the figure, noting construction costs actually total $463 million while defending her permitting and housing record.
- The candidates sparred over Minogue's proposed $1.7 billion education tax credit, which Healey called "not an education plan," and his pledge to suspend the 24-cents-a-gallon gas tax.
- With the general election set for November 3, early voting begins October 17 through October 30, making this final debate a critical opportunity for undecided voters to assess the candidates.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Healey, Minogue clash over cost of living, Trump and immigration in heated governor’s debate
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Republican challenger Mike Minogue sparred over the state’s high cost of living, immigration enforcement and the influence of former President Donald Trump during a heated one-hour gubernatorial debate Thursday night.
Trump is the elephant in the room during first Healey-Minogue debate
Voters in the deep-blue state are sometimes open to a gesture toward bipartisanship through a Republican governor that could, at least in theory, square off against a Democratic supermajority in the Legislature. But Minogue’s odds look long.
The Derrick
Boston HeraldHealey, Minogue and dueling crowds clash at first governor’s debate
Democratic Gov. Maura Healey and her Republican challenger Mike Minogue went after each other in a Thursday night debate on WBZ-TV, the first of the 2026 gubernatorial election, and as two massive crowds in support of each candidate clashed outside…
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