Republican candidate for governor Mike Kennealy, a former cupboard secretary underneath Gov. Charlie Baker, raised probably the most money final month, however most of that cash got here from a $200,000 mortgage he gave his marketing campaign, in keeping with state knowledge and his marketing campaign.
Kennealy reported pulling in $254,733 in July, his lowest haul since launching his marketing campaign in April, in keeping with knowledge from the Workplace of Marketing campaign and Political Finance. The Lexington native had greater than $800,000 money available on the finish of final month, knowledge confirmed.
In a press release final week, Kennealy stated he’s constructing a “campaign that can go the distance.”
“We’re committed to putting together the strongest team possible to defeat (Gov.) Maura Healey in 2026, and the funds raised so far prove that we’re on track to do just that,” he stated in a press release final week. “I’m 100% invested in restoring Massachusetts to the thriving, opportunity-rich state it once was.”
The previous secretary of housing and financial growth loaned himself $200,000 in July, the identical quantity he has forked over each month since asserting his candidacy. He raised simply over $54,000 in particular person contributions, in keeping with his marketing campaign.
Kennealy has thus far loaned his marketing campaign $800,000, or greater than 4 occasions the quantity allowed underneath Massachusetts state regulation, as a part of a pledge to contribute $2 million to his gubernatorial bid. He might face authorized challenges if he or his household tries to recoup the money.
Kennealy spent greater than $87,000 final month, together with $21,000 on consultants and one other $14,000 with Opinion Diagnostics, a polling firm run by Brian Wynne, a former marketing campaign supervisor for Baker.
Healey, who stated she plans to run for a second time period subsequent 12 months, raised greater than $245,000 in July, in keeping with state knowledge. She had greater than $3.7 million money available as of the top of final month.
High-dollar donations got here in from MassMutual CEO Roger Crandall, Boston Public Market CEO Cheryl Cronin, and Newton Metropolis Councilor Vicki Danberg, amongst others, the information confirmed.
The governor spent greater than $75,000 final month, together with $19,000 with Beacon Analysis for a “survey,” state information present.
A spokesperson for Healey’s marketing campaign stated Healey had “another strong fundraising month in July because voters know she is the best candidate to lower the cost of housing, health care, and energy, while creating jobs and growing our economy.”
“They also know that she is the only candidate in this race who will stand up to Donald Trump when he hurts the people of Massachusetts,” the spokesperson stated in a press release.
Massachusetts Democratic Social gathering Chair Steve Kerrigan stated the fundraising numbers for Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve, a enterprise capitalist and former MBTA official who can also be working for governor as a Republican, clarify that the 2 “don’t have the support of Massachusetts voters.”
“Their campaigns are shrinking each month. And it looks like Mike Kennealy raised under $50,000, which is the latest sign of his failing campaign. Meanwhile, voters see the results Gov. Healey is delivering to make Massachusetts more affordable, grow our economy, and create jobs,” Kerrigan stated in a press release to the Herald.
Shortsleeve raised greater than $152,000 final month and continued his streak of pulling in top-dollar donations from enterprise and finance executives, consultants, and attorneys, in keeping with state knowledge.
The 53-year-old from Barnstable spent greater than $64,000 final month, together with $17,000 with Ace Marketing campaign and $12,500 with Jim Barnett, a political advisor who as soon as served because the chair of the Vermont Republican Social gathering, in keeping with state information.
Shortsleeve had greater than $531,000 money available as of the top of final month, state knowledge confirmed.
Holly Robichaud, Shortsleeve’s political strategist, stated he’s the “only Republican who has the broad-based support and demonstrated fundraising ability to compete and win against Maura Healey.”
“He is running a lean, mean, and fiscally responsible campaign,” Robichaud stated in a press release. “But Mike Kennealy’s campaign is on life support, having blown through almost every dollar he has raised. He is now totally reliant on a dwindling self-funding commitment just to keep the lights on.”
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