Why It Matters
Massachusetts Democrats retained control of state government after Gov. Maura Healey defeated Republican nominee Mike Minogue and Sen. Ed Markey defeated Republican challenger John Deaton. Democrats also preserved their Beacon Hill supermajorities and continued to hold every Massachusetts seat in the U.S. House.
What Happened
The Massachusetts election took place November 3, 2026, with Healey and Markey entering election night with polling leads of more than 20 points. Healey’s victory continued a state pattern in which no sitting Massachusetts governor has lost a general election since 1974.
Markey secured another Senate term after first defeating Rep. Seth Moulton in the Democratic primary. He is in line to chair the small business committee and a subcommittee focused on primary health and retirement security.
Minogue spent nearly $20 million of his own money on his campaign. Democrats also won all nine Massachusetts U.S. House races, maintaining an all-Democratic congressional delegation.
State Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan said, “Voters have spoken, and Democrats will continue to lead Massachusetts,”
The election also included nine ballot questions covering tax and housing policy, marijuana legalization, and election administration. Immigration enforcement raids and arrests occurred in New Bedford and Lawrence during the broader political environment surrounding the election.
By the Numbers
2026 midterm elections — election year
25 percent — Trump’s approval rating among likely Massachusetts voters in September
3-to-1 — ratio by which registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in Massachusetts
November 3, 2026 — date of the Massachusetts election and election-night events
20-plus points — Healey and Markey’s polling leads before the election
Nearly $20 million — Minogue’s personal campaign spending
1974 — last year a sitting Massachusetts governor lost a general election
Nine — Massachusetts ballot questions
Roughly $25 million — spending supporting or opposing the ballot questions
Nine — Massachusetts U.S. House members reelected
80-year-old — Markey’s age
Zoom Out
The Massachusetts results came as Democrats retook the House and Senate in Washington. Democrats also ousted Maine Sen. Susan Collins, while New Hampshire voters elected Rep. Chris Pappas to the Senate.
Massachusetts remained Democratic even as Republicans made gains in parts of the state. Democrats won Bristol County by one point in the 2024 presidential election, after Biden carried the county by 12 percentage points in 2020. Trump won Fall River in 2024.
Democratic breakthrough victories were also recorded in Texas, Kansas, Iowa, and South Carolina.
What’s Next
Healey and Markey will begin their next terms, while Markey’s potential committee leadership assignments will shape his role in the Senate. Massachusetts Democrats will retain control of the state government, its congressional delegation, and the Beacon Hill supermajorities.
Healey said, “Now, that starts with lowering your costs.”