WORCESTER, Mass. - In Decision 2026 coverage, Spectrum News 1 met one of the republicans hoping to be the next governor in Massachusetts.

Mike Minogue announced his candidacy for governor of Massachusetts earlier this month. 

"What led to the decision of running for governor?"

"So I absolutely love it here. I have five kids, and this is our home," Minogue said. "I built my company here at Abiomed, Inc., and I invested in the community. But as you know, our state is losing its competitive edge. Taxes are way too high, cost of living is out of control, and as a result, a lot of people are leaving. What I think we need is a new kind of governor, a new kind of candidate that can bring affordability, accountability and opportunity. And I'm a proven leader in business, in the nonprofit space and also in the military. So in a sense, I feel like I'm called to serve, give back and help the people of Massachusetts.

"We have had Republican governors in the past. But speaking to yourself, you've donated to Republicans across the state and country, including President Donald Trump. You're running in a state which overwhelmingly votes Democratic, how do you differ from the president? Just how do you make yourself different from Republicans across the country for Massachusetts?"

"What I care about is Massachusetts and our country. And I think when I swore an oath to the Constitution at West Point, it was to the country and the Constitution, not to a political party," Minogue said. "And what I thought was the most important decision in the in the last election was to secure our border. And our border had terrorists coming across that we had fentanyl drugs and we had gang members, that were crossing over. So, I wanted to help that element. But I've also been involved and I've support causes that are both sides of the aisle. Whatever happens, I want the best things for Massachusetts, not the best things for a political party."

"Looking ahead to 2026, what's your message to our viewers and Massachusetts voters?"

"I think that Massachusetts is working for some, but it's not working for all," Minogue said. "And the message is optimism. We can have opportunity. Massachusetts amazing place with corporations and hospitals that we're used to being the best in the world at all these things; now we're last.

And so what I want to do is come in, I have a skill set to help education, improve the economy by retaining and keeping the best businesses and entrepreneurs. Health care, I'm an expert. I want to protect the hospitals, the doctors, the nurses and help them continue to thrive. On housing, if we do it correctly, people can invest and live here, and then they can grow a family and get a good education. And the cycle continues.

So that's what I want to restore, is that American dream inside of Massachusetts."