The 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Massachusetts. Republican former state representative Geoff Diehl, Democratic state Attorney General Maura Healey, and Libertarian Kevin Reed sought to succeed incumbent Governor Charlie Baker, who did not seek re-election after two terms. This was one of six Republican-held governorships up for election in 2022 in a state carried by Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, and the only race in which the incumbent was retiring despite being eligible for re-election.
Primary elections were held on September 6, with Diehl and Healey winning against minimal opposition. Due to Massachusetts's strong liberal lean and Diehl's conservative political views, Healey was widely expected to win the election. The election was called for the Democrat shortly after polls closed, with Healey becoming the first woman ever elected governor of Massachusetts and the first openly lesbian governor to take office.
In addition, with the election of Kim Driscoll as lieutenant governor, Massachusetts became one of the first two states to simultaneously elect women as governor and lieutenant governor, along with Arkansas. Arkansas, however, elects the governor in a separate election from the lieutenant governor. Taking 63.7% of the vote, Healey's performance was the strongest of any Democratic gubernatorial candidate in the state since Michael Dukakis in 1986, the best performance in Massachusetts history for a non-incumbent Democrat, and the best performance for any non-incumbent since Channing Cox in 1920. Healey received over 1.5 million votes, the most ever received by a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Massachusetts.
This election constituted the largest shift by partisan margin of any 2022 gubernatorial election, swinging from a 33.5 point margin of victory for the Republican in 2018 to a 29.1 point margin for the Democrat in 2022. Additionally, every county in the state flipped from Republican to Democratic; this was the first gubernatorial election in which every county flipped since the 2010 Wyoming election.
Background Despite Republican Charlie Baker winning re-election in 2018, and having consistently elected Republican governors in the state since 1990, with only one Democratic governor being elected in that timeframe, Massachusetts is one of the bluest states in the country. All of the Senate and House seats are Democrat controlled, and Democrats also control supermajorities in both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate. On December 1, 2021, Baker announced he would not run for re-election, and many polls showed that the Massachusetts governorship was the likeliest to flip in 2022.
Republican primary Governor Candidates Nominee Geoff Diehl, former state representative (2011–2019) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 (ran with Leah Cole Allen)
Eliminated in primary Chris Doughty, manufacturing executive (ran with Kate Campanale)
Eliminated at convention or did not file Shiva Ayyadurai, lecturer, entrepreneur and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020 Darius Mitchell, perennial candidate Philip Mitza, ran as a write-in candidate Joselito Santiago Matias, tech support specialist
Withdrawn Kimberly Duffy, businesswoman
Declined Charlie Baker, governor of Massachusetts (2015–2023) Scott Brown, former U.S. senator from Massachusetts (2010–2013), former U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2017–2020), and nominee for U.S. Senate from New Hampshire in 2014 Mike Kennealy, secretary of housing and economic development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Andrew Lelling, former U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts (2017–2021) Scott Lively, anti-gay activist, independent candidate for governor in 2014 and Republican candidate for governor in 2018 Shaunna O'Connell, mayor of Taunton (2020–present) and former state representative (2011–2020) Patrick O'Connor, state senator (2016–present) Karyn Polito, lieutenant governor of Massachusetts (2015–2023) Jane Swift, former acting governor (2001–2003) and former lieutenant governor (1999–2003)
Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error ShivaAyyadurai GeoffDiehl ChrisDoughty Other UndecidedAdvantage, Inc. (R)Advantage, Inc. (R)August 22–23, 2022187 (LV)± 7.2%–42%27%–31%UMass AmherstUMass AmherstJune 15–21, 2022223 (LV)± 7.4%–55%18%1%26%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeMay 2–4, 2022288 (LV)± 6.5%6%37%9%7%41%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error CharlieBaker GeoffDiehl KarynPolito UndecidedPublic Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D)October 12–13, 2021556 (LV)± 4.2%29%50%–21%Advantage, Inc. (R)Advantage, Inc. (R)February 22–26, 2021221 (LV)± 6.6%–20%22%58%
Results
Lieutenant governor Candidates Nominee Leah Cole Allen, former state representative (2013–2015) (ran with Geoff Diehl)
Eliminated in primary Kate Campanale, former state representative (2014–2019) (ran with Chris Doughty)
Withdrew Ron Beaty, former Barnstable County commissioner (2017–2021) (ran for Barnstable County Commission) Rayla Campbell, write-in candidate for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district in 2020 (ran for secretary of the Commonwealth)
Declined Cecilia Calabrese, Agawam city councilor (ran for state senate) Karyn Polito, lieutenant governor of Massachusetts (2015–2023)
Endorsements
Debate + 2022 Massachusetts lieutenant gubernatorial Republican primary debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican RepublicanKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Leah Cole Allen Kate Campanale1 Aug. 15, 2022 The Boston GlobeWBUR-FMWCVB-TV Steve BrownDarryl MurphySharman SacchettiYouTube
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error Allen KateCampanale UndecidedAdvantage, Inc. (R)August 22–23, 2022187 (LV)± 7.2%13%19%68%
Results
Democratic primary Governor Candidates Nominee Maura Healey, attorney general of Massachusetts (2015–2023)
Withdrawn Danielle Allen, political science professor at Harvard University (endorsed Healey) Sonia Chang-Díaz, state senator (2009–2023) (remained on ballot) Scott Donohue, Melrose resident (ran for lieutenant governor) Benjamin Downing, former state senator (2007–2017)
Declined Jake Auchincloss, U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district (2021–present) (ran for re-election) (endorsed Healey) Michael Bellotti, Norfolk County treasurer (2021–present) and former Norfolk County Sheriff (1999–2018) Mo Cowan, former U.S. senator (2013) Joseph Curtatone, former mayor of Somerville (2004–2022) Michael Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts (1975–79, 1983–91) and nominee for president in 1988 Annissa Essaibi George, former at-large Boston city councilor (2016–2022) and candidate for mayor of Boston in 2021 Deb Goldberg, treasurer and receiver-general of Massachusetts (2015–present) (ran for re-election) Jay Gonzalez, former secretary of administration and finance of Massachusetts (2009–2013) and Democratic nominee for governor in 2018 Paul Heroux, mayor of Attleboro (2018–present) and former state representative (2013–2018) (ran for Bristol County sheriff) Joe Kennedy III, former U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district (2013–21) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 Josh Kraft, CEO of the Kraft Foundation and son of businessman Robert Kraft Bob Massie, Episcopal minister, nominee for lieutenant governor in 1994, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012, and candidate for governor in 2018 Jon Mitchell, mayor of New Bedford (2011–present) Alex Morse, former mayor of Holyoke (2012–2021), current town manager of Provincetown (2021–present), and candidate for Massachusetts's 1st congressional district in 2020 Tim Murray, former lieutenant governor of Massachusetts (2007–2013) Richard Neal, U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 1st congressional district (2013–present), former U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district (1989–2013) (ran for re-election) Ayanna Pressley, U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district (2019–present) (ran for re-election) Bob Rivers, chairman and CEO of Eastern Bank Marty Walsh, U.S. secretary of labor (2021–2023) and former mayor of Boston (2014–2021) Elizabeth Warren, U.S. senator (2013–present) and 2020 Democratic candidate for president
Endorsements
Polling Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated SoniaChang-Díaz MauraHealey OtherMarginReal Clear PoliticsReal Clear PoliticsApril 2 – May 4, 2022May 7, 202212.5%48.0%39.5%Healey +35.5 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error Sonia MauraHealey Other UndecidedUMass AmherstUMass AmherstAugust 26–29, 2022500 (LV)± 5.1%14%73%1%12%UMass AmherstJune 15–21, 2022557 (LV)± 4.7%20%53%1%26%Emerson CollegeMay 2–4, 2022488 (LV)± 4.6%8%34%15%43%UMass LowellUMass LowellApril 2–11, 2022800 (LV)± 3.9%17%62%2%18%MassINC Polling Group (D)MassINC Polling Group (D)January 18–20, 2022310 (LV)± 5.6%12%48%7%30%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error DanielleAllen CharlieBaker SoniaChang-Díaz BenDowning DebGoldberg MauraHealey Joe AyannaPressley MartyWalsh Other UndecidedMassINC Polling Group (D)January 18–20, 2022310 (LV)± 5.6%2%–8%––31%––32%2%22%Advantage, Inc. (R)February 22–26, 2021406 (LV)± 4.9%2%––2%–35%22%–––39%SurveyUSA (D)SurveyUSA (D)August 12–16, 2020558 (LV)± 4.1%––––3%25%–13%25%–34%–62%––1%13%–7%4%–13%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk UniversityJune 5–9, 2019600 (LV)± 4.0%–––––34%––36%–30%
Results
Convention
Primary
Lieutenant governor Nominee Kim Driscoll, mayor of Salem
Eliminated in primary Tami Gouveia, state representative Eric Lesser, state senator
Eliminated at convention or did not file Bret Bero, Babson College lecturer and small business owner (endorsed Lesser) Scott Donohue, Melrose resident Adam G. Hinds, state senator
Declined Manny Cruz, member of the Salem school committee Angel Donahue-Rodriguez, deputy chief of staff to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Dan Koh, chief of staff to U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, former Andover selectman, and candidate for Massachusetts' 3rd congressional district in 2018
Endorsements
Debate + 2022 Massachusetts lieutenant gubernatorial Democratic primary debate Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Democratic DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Kim Driscoll Tami Gouveia Eric Lesser1 Aug. 16, 2022 The Boston GlobeWBUR-FMWCVB-TV Steve BrownTaylor DolvenSharman SacchettiYouTube
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error KimDriscoll TamiGouveia AdamHinds EricLesser Other UndecidedUMass AmherstAugust 26–29, 2022500 (LV)± 5.1%31%15%–17%1%37%UMass LowellUMass LowellAugust 16–25, 2022800 (LV)± 3.9%33%13%–23%2%30%Advantage, Inc. (R)August 22–23, 2022563 (LV)± 4.1%13%6%–9%–72%MassINC Polling Group (D)MassINC Polling Group (D) August 19–21, 2022401 (LV)± 4.9%21%7%–14%5%50%MassINC Polling GroupMassINC Polling Group August 5–9, 2022520 (LV)± 5.1%15%8%–7%6%62%UMass AmherstJune 15–21, 2022556 (LV)± 4.7%17%10%–12%0%61%MassINC Polling Group (D)June 2022– (LV)–16%6%–10%5%58%UMass LowellApril 2–11, 2022800 (LV)± 3.9%22%9%7%10%2%49%MassINC Polling Group (D)January 18–20, 2022310 (LV)± 5.6%10%5%5%5%4%64%
Results Convention
Primary
Libertarian primary Governor Candidates Nominee Kevin Reed
Withdrew Carlos Perez
Lieutenant governor Candidates Nominee Peter Everett
Independents Candidates Failed to qualify for ballot Dianna Ploss, former radio host
General election Post-primary endorsements
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report July 20, 2022Inside Elections September 9, 2022 Sabato's Crystal Ball September 7, 2022PoliticoApril 1, 2022 RCPJuly 13, 2022Fox News August 22, 2022538July 31, 2022Elections DailyNovember 7, 2022
Polling Aggregate polls