GOP gubernatorial contender rolls out ad buy in Massachusetts
Businessman and Republican donor Mike Minogue’s gubernatorial campaign in Massachusetts rolled out a new ad buy on Monday, less than a week after he jumped into the race.
The ad buy features a 60-minute statewide ad that first aired Sunday night during the Sunday night NFL game featuring the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills, along with a 30-second version of the ad.
The Hill was the first outlet to report on news of the ad buy.
In the spots, Minogue describes his experience selling coffee as a child during the gas crisis in the 1970s along with his time in the Army at West Point, as a Ranger and as a platoon leader. Minogue then talks about his tenure as the CEO of Abiomed, a Massachusetts-based medical device technology company.
“From soldier to CEO, I’m running to be a new kind of governor,” Minogue says after highlighting the rising cost of living in the Bay State.
Minogue zeroed in on the issue of affordability in his campaign announcement last week.
“They’re being squeezed by higher costs, ignored by politicians who care more about themselves than the citizens they serve,” Minogue said. “Working people – the ones building our communities, teaching our kids, paying the bills -have been left behind, and many are leaving. Our current one-party system isn’t working.”
The ad buy comes after Minogue launched his bid to challenge incumbent Gov. Maura Healey (D) in next year’s gubernatorial election.
Minogue is the latest Republican to jump into the crowded primary in the blue state. Mike Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve, who both served in former Gov. Charlie Baker’s (R) administration, are also running for the state’s top job.
Baker was the last Republican to serve as governor of Massachusetts, leaving office in 2023 after serving for two terms.
Even though Republicans have seen success in Massachusetts, the future GOP nominee will face an uphill climb against Healey. The nonpartisan Cook Political report rates the race as “solid Democratic.”
The Democratic Governors Association labeled Minogue as a “MAGA megadonor” in a statement last week.
“As Governor, Minogue would bring Donald Trump’s toxic agenda to Beacon Hill: raising costs, taking away health care, shutting down cancer research, and undermining fundamental freedoms,” the association wrote.