Mike Kennealy, former economic secretary under Baker, launches Republican bid for governor
'The unspeakable violence in migrant shelters is a human tragedy and a national embarrassment,' Kennealy says in the video. 'The political class on Beacon Hill is more concerned with their future than with ours.'
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Kennealy worked in private equity before he was tapped in 2013 as a special adviser in Lawrence Public Schools, which was put under state receivership in 2011. After Baker left office in 2023, Kennealy has worked as a senior advisor and chief strategy officer at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, according to his campaign.
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He likely won't be the only Republican to enter the race. Senator Peter Durant, a Spencer Republican and vocal critic of Healey's handling of the shelter system, has said that he's
Brian Shortsleeve, a former chief administrator of the MBTA under Baker, is also considering getting into the race on the Republican side, according to GOP insiders.
Healey has said she'll seek a second term amid a rapidly shifting political environment. She is trying to govern a blue state at a time when President Trump has returned to the White House, and has increasingly criticized the president, be it on
Kennealy did not mention Trump during his two-minute launch video.
He has yet to open a fundraising account with the state's campaign finance office, making it unclear with what kind of financial support he could be entering the race.
Healey entered April with nearly $2.9 million at his disposal after raising more than $400,000 in March alone.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Matt Stout can be reached at
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