Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue talks gas tax suspension, Trump support, abortion issues

Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald on Sep 28, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

BOSTON — As the gubernatorial election approached this November, Republican candidate Mike Minogue took time to spell out his responses to some top-of-mind questions in a Sunday TV segment, from gas tax and affordability issues, to his ties to Trump, to his views on a potential abortion ballot question.

“What I’m trying to do is solve problems,” Minogue said on a WCVB “On the Record” segment that aired Sunday, responding on a gas tax suspension. “Leaders solve problems. And so, if I can give back hundreds of dollars or thousands of dollars back to your viewers in real time, we should do that.”

Minogue, a billionaire former CEO of a medical technology company and first-time political candidate, focused on affordability issues, his opponent’s spending and “bringing people together” as he looked to sell his campaign Sunday, among other issues. The Republican will face incumbent Gov. Maura Healey on Nov. 3.

Healey announced last week a proposal for two-month suspension of the 24-cents per gallon state gas tax amid rising prices, citing Trump’s war in Iran. The governor’s plan came just days after Minogue called for a gas tax holiday.

Minogue said that his proposal would look at suspending the tax anytime gas is over $4 a gallon, paying for it by looking “for areas that we’re overspending.”

“I would suspend it in the short term, and then I would look for ways to find $600 to $700 million in spending to pay for it permanently,” said Minogue. “But we do have a spending problem. Maura Healey has spent two times the amount already, or will by the time her term is over, than Gov. Baker did in his first four years.”

Asked about the state House Speaker’s identification of his plan as “fiscally irresponsible,” Minogue called it “humorous to hear fiscal responsibility from our Legislature and Maura Healey.”

“They’re going to spend over $70 billion on 7 million people,” Minogue said. “And we just approved a $2 billion courthouse in Springfield. $2 billion. That will be the most expensive government building ever built in the history. We clearly have a billion dollars of waste and fraud in that because that was given to political insiders and Healey supporters.”

On Trump’s role in the gas prices, Minogue admitted the war in Iran is “driving up prices” but added “it doesn’t matter which president is in there,” saying he would focus “what’s best for the people of Massachusetts.”

Minogue skirted questions about whether he regrets donating to Trump and whether it or his opponents painting him as “MAGA Mike” hurts his campaign, saying “I cheer for all my presidents.” But he did check off a series of Trump policies he disagrees with.

“I don’t agree with the Canadian trade war,” Minogue said. “I don’t agree with NIH cuts to our facilities here in life sciences, and I don’t agree with tariffs. Those are things that Maura Healey is lying about.”

The candidate argued the attacks attempt to distract from “their failed record,” citing jobs, debt and education issues in the state.

Minogue said he supports an audit, which Healey has also expressed support for, with an additional “financial audit, third-party audit firm” to find “waste, fraud and excess.”

The GOP candidate for governor also spoke on immigration issues in response to recent ICE action in New Bedford condemned by local leaders, advocating to “lower the temperature” and for communication between state, federal and local authorities.

On legislation recently signed by Healey lowering abortion restrictions after 24 weeks and whether he supports efforts to get a ballot question in 2028 to repeal the later-term abortions legislation, Minogue cited his previous comments that he is anti-abortion, saying “I’ve already been clear on this show about my position” but “I will follow the law.”

The candidate quickly took on several ballot questions before voters in November, saying it’s “too late to repeal” marijuana legalization of Question 8, he has “due process” concerns with firearm legislation at issue in Question 9, he’d “be okay with” zoning changes aiming to support housing construction in Question 7, and he supports Question 1 eliminating the governor and legislature’s exemption from public records laws.

“We are going to win and make history because people are tired of the hate, the division,” Minogue said. “I want to bring everyone together.”

------------