Get to Know Your Candidate
- Jacob Murtagh
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Election season is coming up this year. With both the Democrats and Republicans beginning their campaigns to gain control over the nation's most powerful government offices in the capital building located in Washington, D.C. Yet, while people's attentions are focused on the national midterms, many Americans are overlooking their states political arena. Specifically hitting close to home in the state of Massachusetts. Asking students around on campus, one caught my eye; this student, who shall remain anonymous, is not from the state of Massachusetts but is a New Englander from the state of Rhode Island.
The Dean Daily asked about her thoughts on the state of Massachusetts and her own experience living in the state. She states that “One of the main issues I experience in Massachusetts is unreliable for public transportation, especially frequent delays. Also, the overall tax feels high. I follow Rhode Island news more closely as I live there, but as of recent I have seen coverage about how ICE policies are impacting communities in Massachusetts. There appears to be growing concern about how immigration enforcement is affecting residents.”
Another student who attends Dean College, and who shall also remain anonymous, is a Massachusetts resident. The Dean Daily asked her the same question as previously stated, her response “Living in Massachusetts, I’m relatively thankful to be in a state that issues are more micro or passive than aggressive. Housing has gotten wildly expensive here and prices being raised over my favorite foods make me feel like I have to sacrifice instead of enjoy what I spend.”
We also asked the student from Massachusetts if she knew any candidates that were running for governorship. She replied “Unfortunately, I only know our current Governor Healey, not sure who else is running.” Here in the Commonwealth, Governor Maura Healey, Democrat, is running for a second term for governorship. And while she is running unchallenged on her democratic side, she will face a Republican challenger in November. So, the question is, who are the candidates and how do they align with your views?
Democratic Candidates
Maura Healey
Maura Healey is the 73rd governor of Massachusetts. Governor Healey was elected governor back in 2022 after defeating Republican candidate and former state representative, Geoff Diehl. Healey grew up on farm property in New Hampshire, being the oldest of five siblings. She attended Harvard College, where she participated and captained the Women's Basketball team. Even after graduating, she spent two years in Europe as a starting point guard for a professional basketball team.
Before becoming the governor of Massachusetts, she served as the attorney general for two terms from 2015 to 2023. As governor, Healey has been active in protecting women's reproductive rights in the state, signed legislation to increase production of clean energy resources, and signed the $5 billion Affordable Homes Act to counter the cost of living. Healey has also been a staunch critic of the Trump administration. As previously stated, Governor Healey reaffirmed to protect reproductive rights by signing the Shield law, which protects patients and outside providers from legal and privacy threats from outside the commonwealth. The governor has also been a vocal critic when it comes to controversial tactics used by federal immigration officials. Even calling for Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, to resign from the position.
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When speaking to the student from Rhode Island, we asked them their thoughts on the Governor, and what can be improved in the state? They stated that “I usually agree with Governor Healey, but I do think that the state could improve its spending. For instance, spending so much money on new commuter rail terminals seems like a waste when there are more pressing problems that need to be solved. I believe that the state should concentrate more on resolving other problems like the shelter crisis, the rising cost of housing, the accessibility of healthcare, opioid and other drug addiction, and economic problems.”
While speaking to the student from Massachusetts, she states that “I don’t necessarily like or dislike our governor, rather I wish that everyone that serves provides equal opportunity and equitable practices for all. I appreciate how she has stood up for the minority, which is difficult nowadays.”
Republican Candidates
Brian Shortsleeves
Brian Shortsleeves is a former MBTA official and chief administrator under the former Baker Administration. Shortsleeves, a Massachusetts native, graduated from Havard College, attending an ROTC scholarship program and Havard school of business. After graduating from Harvard, Shortsleeves joined the Marines and participated in the deployment of troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Persian Gulf War. In the private sector, Shortsleeves help found M33 Growth, which is an investment firm that helps to partner with founders and CEO to accelerate their growth and industry. On his campaign, Shortsleeves has pledged to cut taxes, eliminate fees, and sub charges on monthly bills.
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He has also sought to scrap the MBTA Communities Act. According to Shortsleeves website, his governorship will instead be replacing it with an “incentive-based approach.” Awarding communities that help solve challenges. If elected, Shortsleeves will also seek to roll back the Lunn decision, which limits the state from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.
Michael Minogue
Michael Minogue is an American entrepreneur and former CEO of Abiomed’s, a Massachusetts based medical device company. Minogue is the youngest of four, raised in an Irish Catholic family. He attended West Point Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He then became an officer in the U.S Army Infantry and served in the Gulf War. After transitioning into the reserves, Minogue would pursue a career in the medical field, working for General Electric HealthCare. After rising through the ranks within General Electrics, he would become the Chairman and CEO of Abiomed’s.
Minogue founded a nonprofit organization called MedTech Vets, which helps military veterans with career opportunities within the medical industry. As well as founding the Michael & Renee Minogue Foundation, which helps to donate and support faith-based education, veterans,
healthcare innovation, and causes for children. Minogue wants to eliminate the Right to Shelter law, which gives emergency housing to residents, for undocumented immigrants. As well as excluding them from Medicaid and other benefits. As governor, his administration will focus on cutting taxes, utilities, and energy by using gas pipelines and other reliable resources. As well as tackling the issue of high cost of rent and housing.
Mike Kennealy
Mike Kennealy is the former Secretary of Housing and Development under the Baker administration. Kennealy grew up in Medford/Reading, Massachusetts, where his father, Paul, worked as a steelworker and participated in the local union. Nine years after attending night school, earning a degree in accounting, Kennealy’s father gained a job at Roch Bros. Supermarket, where he eventually became the CEO of the company. Kennealy, with the help of his family, attended Dartmouth University and later Harvard Business School.
In which he participated in a career in private equities for 19 years. He entered public service when he became a special advisor for Lawerance Public Schools. In 2015, Kennealy became involved in the Baker administration as an assistant secretary for business growth, helping to shape the administration’s policy of business development. If elected, Kennealy will focus on immigration, the economy, and affordability. For immigration, Kennealy has vowed to reverse immigration policies established by Governor Healey, as well as working with federal immigration enforcement.
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For the Economy, Kennealy wants to deregulate the business market and cut taxes for businesses. He has also vowed not sign legislation to increase taxes into law. And finally, the issue of affordability, as governor Kennealy vows to tackle regulation in the state and work with towns and cities to have the tools for them to grow without government overreach.
