During the final showdown before Election Day, Democratic Governor Maura Healey and Republican challenger Mike Minogue clashed over the state’s economic trajectory, debating whether the commonwealth requires a change in leadership or is moving in the right direction.
The event was jointly hosted by WCVB-TV, WBUR-FM, and The Boston Globe, with live fact-checking provided by PolitiFact.
Minogue, a former medical device executive, leaned heavily on criticisms of the state’s high cost of living—particularly electricity prices—echoing themes from their initial debate. Healey countered by highlighting her administration’s focus on housing initiatives and tax relief.
The opponents also traded barbs over the governor’s handling of a former administration official who was dismissed following a cocaine trafficking arrest and subsequently faced federal fraud charges related to a food assistance program.
Here is a breakdown and verification of their debate statements.
RELATED: Massachusetts governor’s race debate: Live fact-checks of Maura Healey and Mike Minogue
Energy
Minogue: Healey “stopped the natural gas pipelines coming in.” curvatures
This claim aligns with past decisions, though Healey has since shifted her position amid current energy expenses. Facing mounting pressure, Healey petitioned the federal government on Oct. 1 to accelerate natural gas pipeline expansions into the state.
Defending her previous record as attorney general, Healey stated she opposed incoming pipelines because developers wanted everyday ratepayers, rather than the corporations, to absorb the financial burden, prompting her legal intervention.
In 2015, Healey’s office commissioned a study concluding that additional natural gas lines were unnecessary for grid stability through 2030. Her team subsequently challenged developers in court, helping to halt a funding model that would have passed construction costs onto consumers. Following a 2016 state Supreme Judicial Court decision against the mechanism, developers ultimately abandoned the multi-billion-dollar projects.
Healey: “To lower energy bills, I filed legislation that would save us about $13 billion.”
While backed by an independent study commissioned by the governor’s office, critics argue these projections are overly optimistic.
Healey introduced the Energy, Affordability, Independence and Innovation Act in May 2025.
The administration’s analysis projected savings between $11.58 billion and $14.35 billion for gas and electric customers over a decade, achieved by trimming specific bill fees and altering utility regulations.
Conversely, the conservative Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance contended the figures ignore offsetting expenses like grid updates and utility programs. Additionally, The Boston Globe reported that the legislation could trim funding for Mass Save, potentially dampening long-term energy efficiency perks.
The measure remains under legislative review.
Minogue: Massachusetts is “one of the most expensive places for electricity.”
This statement holds true.
According to July 2026 data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Massachusetts holds the fourth-highest electricity rates nationwide. Residential consumers paid 30.49 cents per kilowatt-hour, trailing only Hawaii (48 cents), California (33.61 cents), and Maine (32.41 cents).
Candidates debate former state employee arrested on drug charges and subsequent SNAP allegations
Minogue: “Someone can get 18 pounds of cocaine delivered, and you didn’t fire them. They got arrested, then they got severance, and now they’re on SNAP benefits that you didn’t even check on.”
Healey (following other remarks): “I fired LaMar Cook before he was even arraigned.”
Minogue: “He was arrested.”
Healey: “I fired him before he was even arraigned.”
Minogue: “After he was arrested.”
Minogue (following more remarks from Healey and crosstalk): “If someone is arrested, you didn’t fire them. They got arrested with 18 pounds of cocaine. In the real world, you’re automatically fired. Then you don’t get a severance package, and then you don’t get to get SNAP benefits.”
This exchange requires broader context.
LaMar Cook, formerly the deputy director of Healey’s western Massachusetts office, was dismissed following his Oct. 28, 2025, arrest for cocaine trafficking after authorities intercepted roughly 17 pounds of the substance shipped to his state workplace.
His arraignment took place the following day.
Federal prosecutors recently arrested Cook on wire fraud and SNAP fraud charges, leading a judge to revoke his bail.
In his April SNAP application, Cook allegedly lied about having less than $100 in assets and stated he lived in a two-person household with his child.
Despite his roughly $130,000 state salary, investigators discovered an active bank account holding over $8,800, alongside additional incoming funds, such as lottery winnings distributed by his mother.
Furthermore, officials noted Cook omitted that his fiancée and her mother—who earned an annual salary exceeding $80,000—shared his Springfield residence.
Minogue’s mention of a “severance package” actually referred to a payout for accumulated vacation time. Federal authorities confirmed Cook received $22,374.29 for unused leave after his termination, an administrative error the state later attempted, but failed, to claw back.
Affordability and economic growth
Healey: “We have the fourth fastest growth — economic growth, GDP — in the country right now.”
Healey: “In the last year, we created 15,000 jobs alone.”
Both claims overstate the actual metrics.
The commonwealth’s gross domestic product growth ranking sits below the governor’s assertion.
Based on four-quarter average annualized GDP growth data, Massachusetts is tied for 17th nationally.
Regarding employment gains, the real figure is nearly half of what Healey claimed. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics records indicate nonfarm employment rose by 8,300 jobs between August 2025 and August 2026.
Minogue: “In the last debate, Gov. Healey said ‘Massachusetts is a great place to live if you can afford it.’”
Minogue repeated this phrasing multiple times during the event.
This quotation requires missing context.
During an Oct. 8 debate, Healey addressed a question concerning a multi-family housing zoning ballot initiative, expressing her support.
“We need more homes,” Healey remarked. “Massachusetts is a great place to live if you can afford it, and that’s why I’ve been building homes from the get go.”
Minogue and campaign supporters previously shared clips of this isolated statement across social platforms while omitting the surrounding context.
In the latest debate, Healey countered by pointing to federal tariffs implemented under President Donald Trump as factors driving up construction expenses.
Contributions to this report were made by PolitiFact Chief Correspondent Louis Jacobson, Senior Correspondent Amy Sherman, Staff Writers Samantha Putterman, Loreben Tuquero and Cami Henry-Seymore, and New York Reporter Conor Amendola.