Minogue questions if Healey traded state police contract for endorsement
The Republican nominee claims a quid pro quo, while the governor's camp and the union deny any deal was struck.
By Riya Zhao ·
Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue accused Gov. Maura Healey of trading a new state police contract for her union's endorsement. He posted the allegation on Facebook on Saturday, asking if the governor cut a deal with the troopers. Minogue called for Healey to confirm the facts under penalty of perjury. He suggested the collective bargaining agreement was funded in a supplemental budget filed in September.
The dispute centers on a $30 million reserve account included in the supplemental budget. Healey filed the budget on Sept. 23 to close the books on fiscal year 2026. The legislation authorizes salary adjustments based on finalized agreements with the State Police Association of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union. The House passed its version of the budget last week. The Senate likely will not take up the bill until after the Nov. 3 election.
Brendan Murphy, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts, called the allegation categorically false in a statement on Sunday. He said the agreement provides raises totaling 11% over three years. Murphy noted that Minogue claimed the contract was worth 18% in his post. The union president said the compensation is consistent with what other state unions received. He urged Minogue to correct his false allegations and apologize to the troopers.
Kerry Patrick Lyons, a spokesperson for the Healey campaign, described Minogue's post as an unhinged rant from a desperate candidate on Monday. Lyons stated his response was issued under penalty of perjury. Healey told reporters at a campaign stop in Framingham on Monday that she was proud to have the support of law enforcement. She called the specific claim of a deal lies and nonsense. She pointed to her two terms as attorney general as evidence of her commitment to police.
Minogue first raised the issue during a debate with Healey on Oct. 15. He said he does not like deals cut with unions to get endorsements. His campaign released a press release on Monday calling for Healey to apologize and disclose communications between her team and union representatives. Minogue maintained that his objections are directed at the governor rather than the troopers. He said the timing of the endorsement and contract negotiations raises questions about transparency.
Healey received endorsements from four police groups on Sept. 10. These groups include the State Police Association of Massachusetts, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, and the Massachusetts State Police Commissioned Officers Association. A campaign spokesperson said none of these groups endorsed Healey during her first bid for governor in 2022. Murphy said the endorsement reflects Healey's demonstrated commitment to law enforcement and the firsthand experience of union leadership.
