Published July 17, 2026 at 4:09 PM EDT

Mike Minogue, the former biotech CEO turned gubernatorial candidate, says he has no plans to debate Brian Shortsleeve, his primary challenger.
 
Minogue secured the MassGOP's endorsement at their April convention. Shortsleeve, a former member of Governor Charlie Baker's administration, earned just enough convention votes to stay on the ballot.
 
Speaking on GBH's Boston Public Radio program Thursday, Minogue said if he's debating anyone, it will be the governor, not the primary challenger he's already met at multiple forums.
 
“We have been side-by-side 11 times and done Q&A's,” he said. “I understand that Democrats want us to fight each other for 12 months, and then have two months from the primary to the general election. This election is the most important tipping point in our lifetime history, because we will not survive four more years of overspending, overtaxing, and overregulating by Maura Healey.”

Minogue went on to say his campaign has requested at least two debates with the governor.
 
According to a June poll conducted by Suffolk University and the Boston Globe, Healey leads Minogue by 25 points, 56%-31%.
 
The Democrat also leads Shortsleeve by a similar margin: 56%-29%