Former Danvers-Based CEO Minogue Earns MA Republican Gubernatorial Endorsement

DANVERS, MA — Former CEO of the Danvers-based medical device company Mike Minogue earned the overwhelming endorsement of Republican insiders in his bid to unseat Gov. Maura Healey at this weekend's state convention in Worcester.

Minogue, a U.S. Army Ranger and Operation Desert Storm veteran, earned support from more than 70 percent of convention delegates, while former MBTA Chief Brian Shortsleeve earned 15.5 percent support.

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Republican candidate Mike Kennealy failed to meet the 15 percent threshold to make it on the Sept. 1 primary ballot and suspended his campaign over the weekend.

Peabody City Councilor Anne Manning-Martin qualified for the ballot as a lieutenant governor candidate with 27 percent of the convention vote, trailing Anne Brensley, whom Minogue endorsed, with 54 percent.

Manning-Martin had formed a partnership with Kennealy for the nomination.

Lt. Gov. Shawn Oliver, who is linked with Shortsleeve's campaign, also qualified for the ballot with 16.6 percent support.

"Today's convention results reflect the strong will of Massachusetts Republicans," said Amy Carnevale, Massachusetts Republican Party Chairwoman. "We are proud to put forward Mike Minogue and Anne Brensley as our endorsed ticket.

"Together, they offer a bold vision that will deliver results for every corner of the Commonwealth."

Minogue's speech touched on his business background, military history, staunch religious beliefs as an Irish Catholic, support for the Second Amendment, and his opposition to free shelter for immigrants.

"Massachusetts, are you ready for a new kind of governor?" he posted on social media following the convention victory.

Minogue has poured millions of his own money into his campaign and media buys in the early stages of the campaign to knock off Healey and current Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.

A Georgia native who grew up in New Jersey, he served as the CEO of Abiomed for 19 years and is on the Board of Trustees at St. John's Prep of Danvers.

Manning-Martin has touted her role in city government, law enforcement background, and conservative fiscal values in her attempt to replace the former Salem mayor on Beacon Hill.

"Thank you to all who attended and voted at the Convention," she posted on her campaign page following the Worcester event. "I loved meeting many of you and really, really enjoyed giving that speech! I hope you enjoyed it too!"

The Democrats will hold their convention next month with the Healey-Driscoll ticket largely unchallenged.

Marine veteran and attorney John Deaton, who ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, gained the endorsement for his bid to challenge the winner of this fall's Democratic Senate campaign between incumbent U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and North Shore U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton.

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