Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve said on GBH’s Boston Public Radio Wednesday that his rival for the GOP nomination, former medical-device executive and Republican megadonor Mike Minogue, can’t defeat Democratic Gov. Maura Healey this fall because he opposes abortion.
“I am the electable conservative in this race — I am a pro-choice Republican,” Shortsleeve said. “I can win statewide.”
He went on to say, “Mike Minogue is anti-choice. He does not support a woman’s right to choose. He will never win a statewide election in Massachusetts, period.”
Minogue identifies as a pro-life Catholic, but told WCVB’s On the Record: “As governor, I know what the law is, and I’m going to uphold the law.”
In that same interview, Minogue said: “If someone is going through a very difficult decision, I think we should also give them counseling, support, give them empathy. And there’s many options out there, right? That we shouldn’t just do, ‘the only option is abortion.’”
In another interview, on CBS News Boston’s Keller at Large, Minogue told host Jon Keller: “Abortion is the law. The role [of] the governor is to uphold the law. But it doesn’t mean that I can’t care about the moms and care about the babies.”
Amid an ongoing national rollback of abortion rights, Healey has made protecting abortion access in Massachusetts a top priority, a stance recent polling suggests is in sync with most of the Massachusetts electorate.
Shortsleeve, a former venture capitalist who ran the MBTA under former Republican Governor Charlie Baker, also dismissed calls that he exit the race after barely eking out a spot on the Mass. GOP’s primary ballot at last month’s Republican nominating convention in Worcester.
At the convention, Minogue commandingly won the party’s endorsement with support from 70% of the delegates who voted. Shortsleeve received 16%, just over the 15% threshold required to make the primary.
“The convention is an insider’s game,” Shortsleeve said. “What matters is 300,000 primary voters on Sept. 1, which is a combination of independents and Republicans. People want to vote. I talk to voters all the time that are looking forward to a spirited primary, and they want to cast their vote on Sept. 1.
“I’ve also said I will debate Mike Minogue any time, any place,” Shortsleeve added. “He has refused to debate, doesn’t want to answer questions. In fact, I think we should have the debate right here.”
In an emailed statement responding to Shortsleeve’s abortion comments, Minogue said, “Spokesmen for Maura Healey and the liberal media will try to weaponize this issue [of abortion], but the fact remains: As governor, I cannot and therefore will not change the law. Politicians approach this issue to drive hate and divisiveness. Leaders with faith have compassion and also support women with counseling, financial aid, and medical care.”
Minogue also made clear he has no plans to debate Shortsleeve before the primary election, saying “I look forward to showing that contrast with Healey in hopefully our two debates this summer.”
