Governor
September 1, 2026 · Massachusetts · Statewide · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Average · 40 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 7,044,056 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(39,287,377 ÷ 7,044,056) ÷ ln(39,287,377 ÷ 582,397) = 40.81, comparing all statewide districts nationwide (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Average representation + unknown decisiveness → Average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
Governor is responsible for:
- Running the state government and its agencies
- Proposing the state budget
- Signing state bills into law, or vetoing them
- Appointing state officials and, in many states, judges
- Commanding the state National Guard during emergencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Andrea James
Democratic · declared
Andrea James is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in the 2026 primary.
Brian Shortsleeve
Republican · declared
Brian Shortsleeve is a Republican candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in the 2026 primary and a former general manager of the MBTA.
Matthew Dewar
Democratic · declared
Matthew Dewar is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in the 2026 primary.
Maura Healey
Democratic · declared
Maura Healey is the Democratic incumbent Governor of Massachusetts, first elected in 2022 after serving as the state's Attorney General. She is seeking re-election in 2026.
Records: Anti-Corruption 1 for, Environment and Public Health 1 for, Housing Affordability 1 for
Michael Minogue
Republican · declared
Michael Minogue is a Republican candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in the 2026 primary and a former chief executive of the medical-device company Abiomed.
Mike Kennealy
Republican · declared
Mike Kennealy is a Republican candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in the 2026 primary and former state Secretary of Housing and Economic Development under Governor Charlie Baker.
Election sources
Source: ballotpedia.org