2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
The 2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Republican governor Charlie Baker and lieutenant governor Karyn Polito sought reelection to a second term in office, facing Democratic challengers Jay Gonzalez and Quentin Palfrey, respectively. Candidates were selected in the primary election held on September 4, 2018.
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Turnout | 60.17% 9.33%[1] | |||||||||||||||||||
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Baker: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Gonzalez: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Tie: 40–50% 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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This was one of eight Republican-held governorships up for election in a state that Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election. Despite Massachusetts's Democratic lean at the presidential level, Charlie Baker retained high approval ratings and was expected to safely win re-election. Shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. local time, the Associated Press declared the race in favor of incumbents Baker and Polito.[2] Shortly after 9 p.m. location time, Gonzalez conceded the election.[3]
Baker was re-elected with the highest vote total in the history of Massachusetts gubernatorial elections and by the widest margin since Bill Weld was re-elected governor in 1994. He won many of the Commonwealth's most populated cities, including Worcester, New Bedford, and Springfield.[4] Baker almost won Boston, losing it by only around 3,000 votes, an extraordinary showing for a statewide Republican candidate in a major city. Baker also carried every county in the state.[5]
As of 2024, this is the last time Republicans won a statewide election in Massachusetts.
Background
editCharlie Baker was elected in 2014 by a slim margin over then-Attorney General Martha Coakley; however, he was consistently rated as one of the most popular governors in the country.[6] Some Democrats, including Congressman Mike Capuano and Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo publicly speculated they may vote for Baker over the eventual Democratic nominee.[7] Speculated candidates such as Attorney General Maura Healey, Congressman Joe Kennedy, former state senator Dan Wolf, and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh all declined to be candidates, leaving no prominent Democrats to challenge Baker, which was seen as a necessary prerequisite to mount a formidable challenge to him.
Because Evan Falchuk received more than 3% of the vote in the 2014 gubernatorial election, the United Independent Party gained official status.[8] Falchuck had stated that he would "certainly" run for office in 2018.[9] In 2016 however, the UIP lost its official party status after it failed to register 1% of Massachusetts voters as members.[10] Falchuk later left the UIP and registered as a Democrat in early 2017.[11][12]
Republican primary
editThere was some concern amongst the Republican Party that Baker was too moderate, and there were talks of challenging him with a more conservative opponent in the primaries. GOP state committeeman Robert Cappucci told the Boston Herald that if Baker "shuns conservatives [...] there will be 100 percent an effort to try to find a conservative, viable candidate to challenge him in 2018 for governor". David Kopacz, the president of the Massachusetts Republican Assembly, also stated that Baker might face a conservative challenger in 2018.[13]
Following his 2016 election, Barnstable County Commissioner Ron Beaty, who once was tried and convicted for threatening the life of President George H. W. Bush,[14] had been making local and state headlines. He proposed a "shark mitigation strategy" to combat the growing presence of sharks near Cape Cod beaches by baiting and shooting them, which was rejected for consideration by the commission chairman. He also mulled a primary run against his state representative, Randy Hunt, after Hunt parked in his Barnstable County Courthouse parking spot. In September 2017 he announced he was in the process of changing the purpose of his campaign committee from a county to a statewide office. He cited the governor's criticisms of President Donald Trump and his willingness to work with Democrats as his inspiration to run.[15] On December 8, 2017, Scott Lively announced his campaign.[16]
On December 13, 2017, Beaty stated he was no longer considering a run against Baker.[17] Scott Lively, an evangelical pastor, challenged Baker and received more than the 15% of delegate votes necessary at the state convention to qualify for ballot access. Baker won the endorsement of the party by an overwhelming margin.[18]
Baker ultimately won the nomination, but not without Lively securing 36 percent of the primary vote, leading to speculation that Baker's more moderate disposition and opposition to President Trump might have damaged his general election chances with Republican base voters.[19]
Governor
editCandidates
editDeclared
edit- Charlie Baker, incumbent governor[20]
- Scott Lively, pastor and independent candidate for governor in 2014[21]
Declined
edit- Ron Beaty, Barnstable County Commissioner (running for state representative, endorsed Lively)[15]
Endorsements
editLocal officials
- Ron Beaty, Barnstable County Commissioner and candidate for state representative[15]
Polling
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Charlie Baker |
Scott Lively |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MassINC[26] | June 22–25, 2018 | 399 | ± 4.9% | 70% | 17% | 2% | 10% |
Results
editConvention
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charlie Baker (incumbent) | 1,577 | 69.8% | |
Republican | Scott Lively | 626 | 27.7% | |
Republican | Other | 57 | 2.5% | |
Total votes | 2,260 | 100.0% |
Primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charlie Baker (incumbent) | 174,126 | 63.78% | |
Republican | Scott Lively | 98,421 | 36.05% | |
Republican | All others | 464 | 0.17% | |
Total votes | 273,011 | 100.00% |
Lieutenant governor
editCandidates
editDeclared
edit- Karyn Polito, incumbent lieutenant governor[20]
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Karyn Polito (incumbent) | 204,914 | 98.8 | |
Republican | All others | 2,571 | 1.2 | |
Total votes | 207,485 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary
editIn November 2014, after interviewing over a dozen Democratic operatives, strategists, and activists, Joshua Miller of The Boston Globe wrote that the party would be looking for a young, fresh candidate who could appeal to the party's progressive base. He identified Attorney General Maura Healey as being "the first name on many Democratic lists".[29] Samantha Lachman of The Huffington Post also identified Healey as a potential candidate for governor in 2018 or in a future United States Senate race.[30]
As of July 2017, the declared candidates were relatively unknown to the state's voters.[31] Their identification by Democratic voters was bolstered by addressing the 2017 state Democratic Convention, which saw its largest attendance in years, of around 3,000 delegates.[32]
On April 26, 2018, Setti Warren announced via Facebook that he was withdrawing from the race due to financial concerns. He stated he would not endorse either of his former opponents until the nomination was won.[33]
At the Massachusetts Democratic Convention in June, party delegates endorsed Gonzalez and Palfrey, but Bob Massie and Jimmy Tingle also surpassed the 15% threshold for ballot access by comfortable margins.[34] A poll from late June conducted by WBUR and MassInc. indicated that the contest for the Democratic nomination in the gubernatorial race was a toss-up, with Massie and Gonzalez being separated by a percentage smaller than the margin of error.
Gonzalez and Palfrey went on to win their respective nominations generously (winning almost every municipality in the state) and headed into the general election to face their Republican counterparts.
Governor
editCandidates
editDeclared
edit- Jay Gonzalez, private health insurance executive, corporate lawyer, former State Secretary of Administration and Finance[35]
- Bob Massie, co-founder of the Global Reporting Initiative, former executive director of Ceres, former president of the New Economy Coalition, ordained Episcopal minister, nominee for lieutenant governor in 1994, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012[36][37]
Withdrew
edit- Setti Warren, former mayor of Newton and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012[38][33]
Declined
edit- Joe Avellone, businessman, former chairman of the Wellesley Board of selectmen and candidate for governor in 2014[39]
- Jeff Bussgang, venture capitalist and lecturer at Harvard Business School[29][40]
- Katherine Clark, U.S. representative (running for reelection)[41]
- Evan Falchuk, founder and former chair of the United Independent Party and United Independent nominee for governor in 2014[42]
- Maura Healey, Massachusetts Attorney General (ran for reelection)[29][30][43][44]
- Joe Kennedy III, U.S. representative (ran for reelection)[45]
- John Kerry, former United States Secretary of State, former U.S. senator, former lieutenant governor of Massachusetts and nominee for president in 2004[46][47]
- Paul Mark, state representative[48] (endorsed Jay Gonzalez)
- Marty Meehan, president of the University of Massachusetts System and former U.S. representative[49]
- Seth Moulton, U.S. representative (ran for reelection)[50]
- Marty Walsh, Mayor of Boston and former state representative[45]
- Dan Wolf, businessman and former state senator[51][52]
Endorsements
editState elected officials
- Suzanne Bump, Auditor of Massachusetts
- Steve Grossman, former Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee[53]
State legislators
- William Brownsberger, state senator[54]
- Harriette Chandler, State Senate President emerita[55]
- Julian Cyr, state senator[56]
- Daniel Donahue, state representative [55]
- Jamie Eldridge, state senator[57]
- Tricia Farley-Bouvier, state representative[58]
- Dylan Fernandes, state representative[56]
- Sean Garballey, state representative
- Anne Gobi, state senator [55]
- Natalie Higgins, state representative[55]
- Mary Keefe, state representative[55][59]
- Eric Lesser, state senator[60]
- Barbara L'Italien, state senator[61]
- John J. Mahoney, state representative [55]
- Paul Mark, state representative[59]
- Michael O. Moore, state senator [55]
- James O'Day, state representative [55]
- Sarah Peake, state representative[56]
- John Scibak, state representative[62]
- Paul Tucker, state representative
Local elected officials
- Dante Comparetto, Worcester School Committee member[55]
- Khrystian King, Worcester City Councilor[55]
- Molly McCullough, Worcester School Committee member[55]
- Candy F. Mero-Carlson, Worcester City Councilor[55]
- Sean Rose, Worcester City Councilor[55]
- Paul Schlichtman, Arlington School Committee member
- Michelle Wu, At-Large Boston City Councilor, former Boston City Council President[63]
Individuals
- Kate Donaghue, DNC and Massachusetts DSC member[64]
Labor unions
Organizations
Newspapers
Officials
- Michael Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts and Democratic nominee for president in 1988[69]
- Solomon Goldstein-Rose, state representative[70]
- David Narkewicz, Mayor of Northampton[71]
Organizations
State legislators
- Michelle DuBois, state representative
- Michael Moran, state representative
- Matt Patrick, former state representative
- Dave Rogers, state representative
Local elected officials
- Barbara Brousal-Glaser, Newton City Councilor
- Jesse Clingan, Somerville Alderman
- Matthew Cubetus, Vice Chair of the Sandwich Planning Board and candidate for the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates
- Joseph Curtatone, Mayor of Somerville
- Jan Devereux, Vice Mayor of Cambridge
- Ben Ewen-Campen, Somerville Alderman
- Andre Green, Somerville School Committee member
- Stephanie Hirsch, Somerville Alderman
- Alison Leary, Newton City Councilor
- Gary Mannion Jr., Greater Lawrence Technical School Committee member and Lawrence Democratic City Committee Chair
- Nadeem Mazen, former Cambridge City Councillor
- Wilfred Mbah, Somerville Alderman
- John Michitson, Haverhill City Council President
- Quinton Zondervan, Cambridge City Councillor
Party officials
- Jim Sperelakis, West Newbury Democratic Town Committee Chair
- Solomon Steen, Young Democrats of Massachusetts Public Policy Director
- Parwez Wahid, Massachusetts DSC member
Individuals
- Chuck Collins, senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies
- Frances Crowe, activist
- Todd Gitlin, professor of journalism and sociology at Columbia University and former president of Students for a Democratic Society
- Gabe Itoka, entrepreneur
- Bill McKibben, author, educator, environmentalist, and Co-founder of 350.org
- Juliet Schor, professor of sociology at Boston College
- Reverend Leslie Sterling, of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church
- Laurence Tribe, professor of constitutional law at Harvard Law School
- Joe Uehlein, former AFL–CIO Director of Strategic Campaigns
- Julie Wormser, former Boston Harbor Association Executive Director
Labor unions
- United Auto Workers Region 9A
Organizations
- 350 Action[73]
- Massachusetts Peace Action[74]
- Our Revolution
- Our Revolution Massachusetts (ORMA)[75]
Newspapers
- Blue Mass Group
- Boston Herald[25]
Polling
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Jay Gonzalez |
Bob Massie |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MassINC[76] | June 22–25, 2018 | 418 | ± 4.9% | 21% | 15% | 7% | 52% |
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jay Gonzalez | 348,434 | 63.17 | |
Democratic | Bob Massie | 192,404 | 34.88 | |
N/a | All others | 10,742 | 1.95 | |
Total votes | 551,580 | 100.0 |
Lieutenant governor
editCandidates
editDeclared
edit- Quentin Palfrey, former senior advisor to the president for jobs & competitiveness[78]
- Jimmy Tingle, humorist and activist[79]
Declined
edit- Paul Mark, state representative[48]
- Patrick McDermott, Norfolk County Register of Probate[80]
- Jon Mitchell, Mayor of New Bedford[80]
- Matt O'Malley, Boston City Councilor[80]
- Ayanna Pressley, Boston City Councilor (running for MA-7)
Endorsements
editNational figures
- Gary Locke, former U.S. Ambassador to China and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce
- Ken Salazar, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior
State legislators
- Will Brownsberger, state senator
- Cynthia Creem, state senate majority leader
- Bill Driscoll, state representative
- Jamie Eldridge, state senator
- Tricia Farley-Bouvier, state representative
- Dylan Fernandes, state representative
- Cindy Friedman, state senator
- Anne Gobi, state senator
- Jon Hecht, state representative
- Natalie Higgins, state representative
- Adam Hinds, state senator
- Russell Holmes, state representative
- Eric Lesser, state senator
- Jack Patrick Lewis, state representative
- Paul Tucker, state representative
Local elected officials
- Matthew Cubetus, vice chair of the Sandwich Planning Board and candidate for the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates
- Sabrina Heisey, candidate for state representative in the 36th Middlesex District
- Steve Kerrigan, Massachusetts DSC member and 2014 nominee for Lieutenant Governor
- David Narkewicz, Mayor of Northampton
Organizations
- Ashby Democratic Town Committee
- Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee
- Indivisible Acton
- Indivisible Northampton
- Massachusetts Democratic Party
- Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts
- Progressive Massachusetts
Unions
- American Federation of Teachers-Massachusetts
- National Association of Social Workers-Massachusetts (NASW-MA PACE)
Federal legislators
- Barney Frank, former U.S. representative from Massachusetts's 4th congressional district[81]
- Jim McGovern, U.S. representative from Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district[81]
State officials
- Steve Grossman, former Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts[81]
- Tom O'Neill, former lieutenant governor of Massachusetts[81]
State legislators
- Mike Connolly, state representative
- Marc Pacheco, state senator[81]
- Sarah Peake, state representative
Local elected officials
- Peter Koutoujian, sheriff of Middlesex County[81]
- Paul Schlichtman, Arlington School Committee member
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Quentin Palfrey | 307,240 | 58.5 | |
Democratic | Jimmy Tingle | 214,204 | 40.8 | |
n/a | All others | 3,757 | 0.7 | |
Total votes | 525,201 | 100.0 |
General election
editDebates
editNo. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Republican | Democratic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
||||||
Charlie Baker | Jay Gonzalez | |||||
1 | October 9, 2018 | WSBK-TV | Jon Keller | [83] | P | P |
2 | October 17, 2018 | WGBH-TV | Jim Braude Margery Eagan |
[84] | P | P |
3 | November 1, 2018 | WCVB-TV | WCVB-TV[85] | P | P |
Endorsements
editAll individuals belong to the nominee's party unless otherwise specified.
State legislators
- Christopher Markey, state representative (D)[86]
- David Nangle, state representative (D)[87]
Local officials
- Brian Arrigo, Mayor of Revere (D)[88]
- Bill Carpenter, Mayor of Brockton (I)[88]
- Dave Conway, Lowell City Councilor[87]
- Jasiel Correia, Mayor of Fall River (D)[88]
- Stephen DiNatale, Mayor of Fitchburg (D)[88]
- Scott Galvin, Mayor of Woburn (D)[88]
- Ken Gray, Mayor of Amesbury[88]
- Mark Hawke, Mayor of Gardner[88]
- Bob Hedlund, Mayor of Weymouth[88]
- Donna Holaday, Mayor of Newburyport (D)[88]
- Tom Koch, Mayor of Quincy (I)[88]
- Richard Kos, Mayor of Chicopee[88]
- John Leahy, Lowell City Councilor[87]
- William Martin, Mayor of Greenfield (I)[88]
- Dean Mazzarella, Mayor of Leominster (I)[88]
- Rita Mercier, Lowell City Councilor[87]
- Will Reichelt, Mayor of West Springfield (I)[88]
- Daniel Rivera, Mayor of Lawrence (D)[88]
- Bill Samaras, Mayor of Lowell (D)[88]
- William Sapelli, Mayor of Agawam (I)[88]
- Domenic Sarno, Mayor of Springfield (D)[88]
- Brian Sullivan, Mayor of Westfield (D)[88]
- Joe Sullivan, Mayor of Braintree (D)[88]
- Sefatia Romeo Theken, Mayor of Gloucester (I)[22]
- Arthur Vigeant, Mayor of Marlborough[88]
Organizations
Newspapers
Former U.S. Executive Branch officials
- Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States[99]
State elected officials
- Suzanne Bump, Auditor of Massachusetts
- Steve Grossman, former Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee[53]
State legislators
- William Brownsberger, state senator[54]
- Harriette Chandler, State Senate President emerita[55]
- Julian Cyr, state senator[56]
- Daniel Donahue, state representative[55]
- Jamie Eldridge, state senator[57]
- Tricia Farley-Bouvier, state representative[58]
- Dylan Fernandes, state representative[56]
- Sean Garballey, state representative
- Anne Gobi, state senator[55]
- Natalie Higgins, state representative[55]
- Mary Keefe, state representative[55][59]
- Eric Lesser, state senator[60]
- Barbara L'Italien, state senator[61]
- John Mahoney, state representative[55]
- Paul Mark, state representative[59]
- Michael O. Moore, state senator[55]
- James O'Day, state representative[55]
- Sarah Peake, state representative[56]
- John Scibak, state representative[62]
- Paul Tucker, state representative
Local elected officials
- Dante Comparetto, Worcester School Committee member[55]
- Khrystian King, Worcester City Councilor[55]
- John Krol, Pittsfield City Council Member
- Molly McCullough, Worcester School Committee member[55]
- Candy F. Mero-Carlson, Worcester City Councilor[55]
- Helen Moon, Pittsfield City Council Member
- Sean Rose, Worcester City Councilor[55]
- Michelle Wu, At-Large Boston City Councilor, former Boston City Council President[63]
Individuals
- Kate Donaghue, DNC and Massachusetts DSC Member[64]
- Bob Massie, Gonzalez's opponent in the Democratic primary for governor
Labor unions
Organizations
Predictions
editSource | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[100] | Safe R | October 26, 2018 |
The Washington Post[101] | Likely R | November 5, 2018 |
FiveThirtyEight[102] | Safe R | November 5, 2018 |
Rothenberg Political Report[103] | Safe R | November 1, 2018 |
Sabato's Crystal Ball[104] | Safe R | November 5, 2018 |
RealClearPolitics[105] | Safe R | November 4, 2018 |
Daily Kos[106] | Safe R | November 5, 2018 |
Fox News[107][a] | Likely R | November 5, 2018 |
Politico[108] | Safe R | November 5, 2018 |
Governing[109] | Safe R | November 5, 2018 |
- Notes
- ^ The Fox News Midterm Power Rankings uniquely does not contain a category for Safe/Solid races.
Polling
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Charlie Baker (R) |
Jay Gonzalez (D) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MassINC[110] | October 25–28, 2018 | 502 | ± 4.4% | 68% | 25% | 2% | 2% |
Suffolk University[111] | October 24–28, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 65% | 26% | – | 8% |
Western New England University[112] | October 10–27, 2018 | 402 LV | ± 5.0% | 65% | 27% | – | 7% |
485 RV | ± 4.0% | 64% | 25% | – | 10% | ||
UMass Lowell[113] | October 1–7, 2018 | 485 LV | ± 5.6% | 66% | 27% | 5% | 3% |
791 RV | ± 4.4% | 65% | 26% | 6% | 2% | ||
MassINC[114] | September 17–21, 2018 | 506 | ± 4.4% | 68% | 24% | 1% | 6% |
Suffolk University[115] | September 13–17, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 55% | 28% | – | 17% |
Suffolk University[116] | June 8–12, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 52% | 22% | – | 25% |
MassINC[117] | May 22–26, 2018 | 501 | ± 4.4% | 60% | 20% | 1% | 19% |
MassINC[118] | March 16–18, 2018 | 504 | ± 4.4% | 60% | 21% | 2% | 15% |
MassINC[119] | November 9–12, 2017 | 503 | ± 4.4% | 59% | 19% | 3% | 18% |
MassINC[120] | June 19–22, 2017 | 504 | ± 4.4% | 55% | 22% | 1% | 20% |
with Setti Warren
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Charlie Baker (R) |
Setti Warren (D) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MassINC[118] | March 16–18, 2018 | 504 | ± 4.4% | 58% | 24% | 3% | 13% |
MassINC[119] | November 9–12, 2017 | 504 | ± 4.4% | 58% | 24% | 2% | 15% |
MassINC[120] | June 19–22, 2017 | 504 | ± 4.4% | 53% | 26% | 1% | 17% |
UMass Amherst[121] | September 15–20, 2016 | 400 | ± 4.1% | 40% | 17% | – | 36% |
with Katherine Clark
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Charlie Baker (R) |
Katherine Clark (D) |
Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UMass Amherst[121] | September 15–20, 2016 | 400 | ± 4.1% | 39% | 24% | 31% |
with Maura Healey
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Charlie Baker (R) |
Maura Healey (D) |
Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MassINC[120] | June 19–22, 2017 | 504 | ± 4.4% | 48% | 36% | 13% |
UMass Amherst[121] | September 15–20, 2016 | 400 | ± 4.1% | 43% | 25% | 29% |
Gravis Marketing[122] | July 12–13, 2016 | 901 | ± 3.3% | 56% | 30% | 14% |
with Joseph P. Kennedy III
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Charlie Baker (R) |
Joseph P. Kennedy III (D) |
Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UMass Amherst[121] | September 15–20, 2016 | 400 | ± 4.1% | 33% | 33% | 29% |
Gravis Marketing[122] | July 12–13, 2016 | 901 | ± 3.3% | 50% | 38% | 12% |
with Bob Massie
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Charlie Baker (R) |
Bob Massie (D) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suffolk University[123] | June 8–12, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 54% | 21% | – | 25% |
MassINC[117] | May 22–26, 2018 | 501 | ± 4.4% | 60% | 20% | 1% | 17% |
MassINC[118] | March 16–18, 2018 | 504 | ± 4.4% | 59% | 22% | 2% | 16% |
MassINC[119] | November 9–12, 2017 | 504 | ± 4.4% | 60% | 21% | 2% | 16% |
MassINC[120] | June 19–22, 2017 | 504 | ± 4.4% | 55% | 25% | 1% | 17% |
with Seth Moulton
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Charlie Baker (R) |
Seth Moulton (D) |
Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UMass Amherst[121] | September 15–20, 2016 | 400 | ± 4.1% | 39% | 21% | 34% |
with Marty Walsh
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Charlie Baker (R) |
Marty Walsh (D) |
Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UMass Amherst[121] | September 15–20, 2016 | 400 | ± 4.1% | 37% | 28% | 32% |
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charlie Baker (incumbent) | 1,781,341 | 66.60% | 18.20 | |
Democratic | Jay Gonzalez | 885,770 | 33.12% | 13.42 | |
Write-in | 7,504 | 0.28% | 0.19 | ||
Total votes | 2,674,615 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
Republican hold |
By county
edit2018 United States gubernatorial election in Massachusetts (by county) [125] | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
County | Baker % | Baker # | Gonzalez % | Gonzalez # | Others % | Others # | Total # |
Barnstable | 71.7% | 85,726 | 25.2% | 30,169 | 3.0% | 3,599 | 119,494 |
Berkshire | 51.6% | 28,331 | 45.5% | 25,030 | 2.9% | 1,592 | 54,953 |
Bristol | 68.5% | 132,371 | 28.1% | 54,280 | 3.3% | 6,458 | 193,109 |
Dukes | 54.1% | 5,556 | 43.5% | 4,470 | 2.5% | 253 | 10,279 |
Essex | 69.2% | 219,522 | 27.4% | 86,893 | 3.4% | 10,849 | 317,264 |
Franklin | 54.6% | 18,263 | 43.4% | 14,507 | 2.0% | 670 | 33,440 |
Hampden | 69.1% | 109,952 | 27.5% | 43,806 | 3.4% | 5,416 | 159,174 |
Hampshire | 52.0% | 37,272 | 45.6% | 32,667 | 2.5% | 1,764 | 71,703 |
Middlesex | 60.7% | 411,687 | 36.3% | 246,197 | 3.0% | 20,294 | 678,178 |
Nantucket | 56.8% | 2,388 | 41.6% | 1,750 | 1.6% | 67 | 4,205 |
Norfolk | 67.1% | 209,318 | 29.7% | 92,709 | 3.2% | 10,125 | 312,152 |
Plymouth | 72.4% | 164,438 | 23.9% | 54,303 | 3.7% | 8,472 | 227,213 |
Suffolk | 49.1% | 125,247 | 48.0% | 122,249 | 2.9% | 7,346 | 254,842 |
Worcester | 73.0% | 231,270 | 24.2% | 76,740 | 2.7% | 8,649 | 316,659 |
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Berkshire (largest municipality: Pittsfield)
- Dukes (largest municipality: Oak Bluffs)
- Franklin (largest municipality: Greenfield)
- Hampshire (largest municipality: Amherst)
- Middlesex (largest municipality: Cambridge)
- Nantucket
- Suffolk (largest municipality: Boston)
By congressional district
editBaker won 8 of 9 congressional districts, all of which elected Democrats.[126]
District | Baker | Gonzalez | Representative |
---|---|---|---|
1st | 67.24% | 32.76% | Richard Neal |
2nd | 68.85% | 31.15% | Jim McGovern |
3rd | 71.3% | 28.7% | Lori Trahan |
4th | 69.49% | 30.51% | Joe Kennedy III |
5th | 60.39% | 39.61% | Katherine Clark |
6th | 73.52% | 26.48% | Seth Moulton |
7th | 43.78% | 56.22% | Ayanna Pressley |
8th | 68.43% | 31.53% | Stephen Lynch |
9th | 73.19% | 26.81% | Bill Keating |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Voter Turnout Statistics". Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- ^ Gavin, Christopher (November 6, 2018). "Here's an updating list of the 2018 Massachusetts election winners". Boston.com. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ^ @MattPStout (November 6, 2018). "@jay4ma has conceded to @CharlieBakerMA" (Tweet). Retrieved November 6, 2018 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Baker's big win a GOP anomaly in heavily-Democratic state". WHDH-TV. November 7, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ "2018 Massachusetts Election: Republican Gov. Charlie Baker almost won Democrat-dominated Boston". MassLive. November 7, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
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- ^ "Mike Capuano may dodge party lines in gubernatorial vote". Boston Herald. August 23, 2017.
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- ^ Dezenski, Lauren (October 31, 2016). "United Independent Party loses state party designation". Politico. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
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- ^ "United Independent Party loses state party designation". Politico. October 31, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ Stout, Matt; Cassidy, Chris (November 13, 2014). "Waiting for Mr. Right: Conservative wing of GOP warns Charlie Baker". Boston Herald.
- ^ Hoffenburg, Noah (August 29, 2014). "Ronald Beaty, Jr". Barnstable Patriot.
- ^ a b c Beatty, David (September 14, 2017). "County Commissioner Ron Beaty Exploring Run for Governor". CapeCod.com. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ "Scott Lively, Former Independent Candidate, Is Running For The Republican Nomination". Third Party Watch. December 8, 2017.
- ^ "Beaty Ends Exploratory Project on Gov. Run - CapeCodToday.com". www.capecodtoday.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ a b Bird, Walter Jr. (April 28, 2018). "Baker earns states GOP endorsement for governor; Scott Lively forces primary - Worcester Mag". Retrieved May 22, 2018.[permanent dead link ]
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- ^ a b Salsberg, Bob (November 28, 2017). "Charlie Baker confirms run for 2nd term as Massachusetts governor". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
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- ^ a b Phillips, Frank. "Setti Warren ends campaign for governor". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on April 26, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
- ^ "Mass. Democrats Endorse Gonzalez, Palfrey And Zakim At Convention". www.wbur.org. June 3, 2018.
- ^ O'Sullivan, Jim (January 30, 2016). "Democrat Jay Gonzalez launches bid for governor". Boston Globe.
- ^ O'Sullivan, Jim (April 24, 2017). "Robert K. Massie enters race for governor". Boston Globe.
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- ^ Prim, Alexandra (May 20, 2017). "Setti Warren announces bid for gov. in Mass".
- ^ Miller, Joshua (June 8, 2015). "Joe Avellone, candidate for governor in '14, open to another run". The Boston Globe.
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- ^ Miller, Joshua (November 9, 2015). "Katherine Clark's rise in D.C. has Democrats looking ahead". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
- ^ Ramos, Nestor (February 12, 2017). "Evan Falchuk, former independent candidate, switches to Democratic Party". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
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- ^ Schoenberg, Shira (August 17, 2016). "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey rules out run for higher office". The Republican. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Pivoting toward 2018, Massachusetts Dems eye Charlie Baker challenge". www.boston.com.
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- ^ "Who Will Run For Governor of Massachusetts in 2018?". November 16, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ a b "Is Paul Mark considering a run for higher office?". The Recorder. August 28, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ Phillips, Frank (June 30, 2016). "Meehan to close campaign fund, give $4.35m balance to foundation". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
- ^ Clauss, Kyle Scott (February 24, 2017). "Seth Moulton Says He Has "No Plans" to Challenge Charlie Baker". Boston Magazine. Archived from the original on March 19, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^ Murphy, Matt (November 9, 2015). "Cape Senator Wolf sees future service in 'different form'". The Patriot Ledger.
- ^ Miller, Joshua (March 14, 2016). "Outgoing state senator ponders running against Baker". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
- ^ a b "Former treasurer Steve Grossman back Jay Gonzalez for governor". Retrieved April 30, 2018.
- ^ a b "L'Italien endorses Gonzalez for governor, knocks Baker as timid". Retrieved April 27, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "Senate President Chandler and Worcester Regional Democrats Endorse Jay Gonzalez for Governor". Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f "Cape's Democratic legislators back Gonzalez". Retrieved May 31, 2018.
- ^ a b "Democratic candidate for governor gets a boost from a Bernie Sanders acolyte". Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ a b "Farley-Bouvier Endorses Gonzalez For Massachusetts Governor". January 5, 2018. Archived from the original on January 5, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Bernie Sanders campaign co-chairs endorse Jay Gonzalez for governor". May 31, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
- ^ a b "JUSTICE BILL AUTHOR BACKS GONZALEZ AFTER SETTI WARREN'S VETO PROMISE". Retrieved June 1, 2018.
- ^ a b "L'Italien endorses Gonzalez for governor, knocks Baker as timid". Retrieved April 27, 2017.
- ^ a b "Rep. Scibak endorses Jay Gonzalez for governor". Retrieved August 7, 2017.
- ^ a b "Boston City Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu Endorses Jay Gonzalez for Governor". Archived from the original on September 6, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ a b "Gonzalez snags nod from former Patrick ally". Retrieved October 2, 2017.
- ^ a b Holway, David (April 12, 2018). "National Association of Government Employees - Service Employees International Union". www.nage.org.
- ^ a b "Mass. Democrats Endorse Gonzalez, Palfrey And Zakim At Convention". June 2, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
- ^ a b "Major Progressive Organization Endorses Jay Gonzalez for Governor". Archived from the original on May 22, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
- ^ "Editorial: Endorsement: Jay Gonzalez is the best choice for Democrats". August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ Phillips, Frank (March 14, 2017). "Setti Warren draws on old Dukakis team". Boston Globe. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
- ^ Demkovich, Laurel. "Goldstein-Rose becomes 1st legislator to endorse Setti Warren for governor". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
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- ^ a b c O'Sullivan, Jim (August 23, 2017). "So far, only one Democrat is openly eyeing this statewide race". The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
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- ^ Baffoni, Anita (October 16, 2018). "Democratic state lawmaker endorses Republican Gov. Baker". wpri.com.
- ^ a b c d "RELEASE: REP. DAVID NANGLE (D-LOWELL), MAYOR BILL SAMARAS, CITY COUNCILORS ENDORSE GOVERNOR BAKER, LT. GOVERNOR POLITO FOR RE-ELECTION". Baker Polito. August 18, 2018. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Schoenberg, Shira (September 6, 2018). "Springfield's Domenic Sarno among 22 Massachusetts mayors endorsing Gov. Charlie Baker". MassLive.com.
- ^ Miller, Joshua (October 18, 2018). "Gun safety group endorses Charlie Baker". The Boston Globe.
- ^ "Our Opinion: Re-elect Gov. Baker". The Berkshire Eagle. October 30, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
- ^ Editorial, Board (October 28, 2018). "Charlie Baker has been a good governor. Now he needs to be a great one". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
- ^ "Editorial: Charlie Baker deserves second term". Boston Herald. October 29, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
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- ^ "Massachusetts Needs Gov Charlie Baker". Chelsea Record. September 14, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Charlie Baker for governor". The Eagle-Tribune. October 31, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
- ^ "The Republican endorses Baker for another term as governor (Editorial)". The Republican. October 25, 2018.
- ^ a b "ENDORSEMENT: Baker-Polito team brings out best in Massachusetts". The Sun. October 29, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
- ^ "Editorial: For governor, Baker-Polito, have earned a second term - the Telegram & Gazette endorses Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito". Telegram & Gazette. October 28, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
- ^ Barack Obama. "Today, I'm proud to endorse even more Democratic candidates who aren't just running against something, but for something—to expand opportunity for all of us and to restore dignity, honor, and compassion to public service. They deserve your vote". Twitter.
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- ^ a b MassINC
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External links
editOfficial campaign websites for gubernatorial candidates
- Charlie Baker (R) for Governor Archived 2017-12-01 at the Wayback Machine
- Jay Gonzalez (D) for Governor
Official campaign websites for lieutenant gubernatorial candidates