BOSTON
Republican Mike Minogue will face Gov. Maura Healey in November after winning the GOP primary Tuesday with over 75 percent of the vote, defeating challenger Brian Shortsleeve by more than 50 points. Governor Healey, a Democrat, ran unopposed in her primary as she seeks a second term.
Minogue, a U.S. Army combat veteran and former CEO of Abiomed, a medical device manufacturer based in Danvers, Massachusetts, told supporters election night that the campaign was a "movement." He said: "Because of your courage and your willingness to say, 'It's time to do something different, it is time to put people before politics.' Because of that, we are going to make history in 63 days."
Shawn Oliver, who had been Shortsleeve's running mate, will join Minogue on the ticket as the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor. Oliver said late Tuesday: "Together we will unify the party."
Shortsleeve endorsed Minogue after his loss, telling party members: "This primary is over. Now it's time to come together."
Minogue faces steep odds. A University of New Hampshire poll showed Healey leading him by 24 points in the general election.
Minogue identifies as an anti-abortion Catholic and pledged to restore the state's previous abortion law before Governor Healey signed legislation last month that removed the state's 24-week abortion ban, making abortion legal and accessible at any stage of pregnancy.
On energy, Minogue has called for expanding natural gas use instead of offshore wind and said he intends to "repeal or cancel all unfunded mandates," specifically naming the Net Zero Mandate, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In the U.S. Senate race, Republican John Deaton won his uncontested primary and will challenge incumbent Sen. Ed Markey. Markey, a Democrat, defeated a primary challenge from Rep. Seth Moulton.
