Readers say Mike Minogue is the wrong choice — here’s why

Readers Say

“What happened to centrist Republicans that understand the people and government? Businessmen just keep putting profit over people.”

Mike Minogue candidate for Governor spoke to the media briefly at the Massachusetts GOP Convention in Worcester, MA on Saturday April, 25 2026. (Jonathan Wiggs Globe/Staff)

By Annie Jonas

April 29, 2026 | 9:32 AM

4 minutes to read

After sweeping the Massachusetts Republican Convention on Saturday and emerging as the party’s pick, Mike Minogue has some Boston.com readers feeling uneasy about his spot in the running for governor.

• 
  Mike Minogue wins GOP endorsement for governor in landslide
  

Minogue secured 70 percent of the vote and a spot on the September primary ballot. He’ll share it with Brian Shortsleeve, a former MBTA chief who met the 15 percent voting threshold to move on to the primary. Mike Kennealy, a former housing and economic development secretary under Gov. Charlie Baker, fell short at 14.1% and dropped out.

Minogue, a former medical device executive at Abiomed, pitched himself as a businessman and former soldier who could bring a political newcomer’s perspective to Massachusetts. He has aligned himself with many Trump priorities such as cracking down on immigration and abortion access, and even hosted vice president J.D. Vance at a fundraiser.

Gov. Maura Healey — and many readers — decried his affiliation with Trump, saying voters would be hard-pressed to advance such a candidate in a Democratic stronghold such as Massachusetts. 

“You cannot stand with Donald Trump and stand for the people of Massachusetts. Period,” Healey said on GBH News’ Boston Public Radio on Tuesday, in regards to the Republican party nominating Minogue.

When we asked Boston.com readers if they thought Minogue was the right choice, just over half (51%) of the 170 respondents to our poll said “no,” while 43% said yes. Just 6% were unsure.

Did Mass. GOP make the right choice with Minogue?

“Yet another out of touch, rich, Trump-supporting businessman,” reader Margaret S. from Billerica said. “What happened to centrist Republicans that understand the people and government? Businessmen just keep putting profit over people. They say they are for the working people, but they never are. We need another Baker, not another Trump,” she added.

On the other side, William from Holden said Minogue’s background in business and Trump-aligned policies are exactly what the state needs. 

“The people of MA need someone to run our state like a CEO!” he said.

Below, readers share their thoughts on Minogue as the Massachusetts Republican party’s candidate for governor.

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

Did Mass. GOP make the right choice with Minogue?

No

“Massachusetts has a recent history of well-liked, high performing GOP governors. The reason this blue state voted them in was due, in large part, to their moderate stances. Any GOP candidate that embraces Trump/Vance will never succeed in this state. If the MA GOP wants a viable candidate with any chance of winning, they need to run a moderate who will stand up to Trump. Minogue stands no chance. Bring back Baker and Romney type candidates.” — Rebecca W., Reading

“Another billionaire who supports the Trump/Vance agenda. Massachusetts Republicans are out of touch with the needs of state residents.” — Arnie W., Shrewsbury

“Minogue will not be able to connect with independents, and will get blown out like [Geoff] Diehl did.” — John V., Taunton

“This candidate is too closely aligned with Trump and has not held political office before.” — Ceci, Brockton

“Mike Minogue’s company [Abiomed Inc.] has consistently had ethical and legal trouble. They were forced to settle twice … once for a kickback scheme and one for gender discrimination. Then later, when the FDA issued a recall on their heart pump, they noted that the company had failed to notify the agency and buried a notice in fine print.” — Ryan, Waltham

“Minogue is unelectable in MA. [Brian] Shortsleeve is pro-choice and is a proven government reformer.” — C., Boston

“Brian Shortsleeve is the conservative who can win this race against Maura Healey in November. Additionally, Brian has been committed to the Republican cause for decades, whereas Mike Minogue walked onto the scene (registering as a Republican) just over a year ago. History is on Brian’s side, however, because there have been multiple Republican governors who went on to lose the convention vote, but secure the Party’s nomination in the September primaries, and then win big in November.” — Timothy S., South Boston

Yes

“Massachusetts is bleeding the best and the brightest out of this great state.  We have some of the best hospitals in the world and when residents are done training they move on to more affordable places to live and practice their art. They should be staying here, but cannot afford to live here when starting out. We live in the Northeast and Maura [Healey] shut down natural gas pipelines making it harder for people to heat their homes. Mike Minogue has a clear reverence for life based on the company he built. This shows me he cares for humans where saving lives with heart appliances is paramount.  Let’s change the direction of MA by electing a man who has a clear love for the state and the people in it.” — Jeri L., Haverhill

“Mike Minogue is the only one qualified to save Massachusetts! He is a true patriot not a politician tied to anyone. He will work for us, we the people!” — Linda H.

“He is exactly on point on the right topics — particularly illegal immigration and voter’s choice to audit the state legislature. He has great positive energy and will be a great leader for this ridiculously single party state.” — Matt G., North Andover

“Minogue’s campaign is focused on the deployment of common sense policies in a compassionate way to help bring accountability, affordability, create opportunities, and keep our communities safe.” — Tim S., Acton

“We need change outside the political establishment. Massachusetts is failing!” — Steven G., Weymouth

“Because he is a proven business man much like President Trump and not a life long politician. We need less politicians and more people with successful business experience.” — Pam C., Paxton

“Mike is a family man — honest, hungry, and humble — a combat veteran who has always stood by those who served, and a successful CEO who knows how to deliver results. He understands that leadership is about serving people, not politics.” — Luan G., Andover

Ross Cristantiello contributed to this story.

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.

Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.

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