Republican gubernatorial candidates Mike Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve have announced a flurry of early campaign endorsements as the September primary looms ten months away.

Kennealy announced 22 new enforcements from the Republican party, including sitting and former State Representatives, numerous local elected officials, State Committee members, Republican Town Committee (RTC) Chairs, and young Republican leaders.

The Kennealy campaign has won the endorsements of state Rep. Kim Ferguson (Worcester), former state Rep. E. Jay Barrows (Bristol); MassGOP officers Assistant Secretary Dr. Elizabeth Hinds-Ferrick and Treasurer Brent Andersen; current state party Committee members Lisa-Marie Cashman, Michael Scarlata, and Tom Mountain, who was once MassGOP vice chair; municipal party Committee Chairs Tim Harris (Medway), Kevin Dube (North Andover), Donnarose Russian (Arlington), Justin Cusano (Waltham), Patty Locke (Easton), Jeff Linehan (Boxford); Massachusetts Young Republicans National Committeeman Alex Aiken; President of the Stonehill College Republicans Ian O’Connor; Peabody City Councilor-Elect Jaclyn Corriveau; Candidate for Bristol County District Attorney Seth Aitken; and former Committeeman Chris Walton.

Shortsleeve also announced a list of 14 new endorsements, which include former Barnstable Sheriff Jim Cummings; former State Representatives Ginny Coppola, Daniel Webster, and Will Crocker, who is also a Republican State Committee member and a Barnstable Town Council member; MassGOP officers Vice Chairwoman Judy Crocker and Secretary Amanda Peterson; and Republican State Committee members Sean Powers, Dan Hickey, Alex Hagerty, Jess Boldyga, Mark Bodanza, Caroline Cunningham, Ryan Chamberland, and Tim Smyth.

Shortsleeve also won the endorsement of Republican Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell, as well as Taunton City Councilor and state rep candidate Larry Quintal and former State Rep. Jeff Perry.

As for Mike Minogue, the GOP megadonor hasn’t announced any recent endorsements. However, his campaign says Minogue is earning something even better.

“While political insiders trade endorsements, Mike is earning something more meaningful: support from across Massachusetts. In two months, more than 600 volunteers and the most donors and donations in the race have joined his campaign,” said spokesperson Emily Maguire. “Mike is running to be a new kind of governor, one who answers only to the voters of Massachusetts.”

Shortsleeve pumps $200k into own campaign

Shortsleeve isn’t shying away from campaign announcements as of late, announcing a slew of endorsements in recent days and holding a press conference on Thursday to announce another.

Now, Shortsleeve is announcing that he has donated $200,000 to his own campaign to cap off what he calls a successful 2025.

“I am in for this race. In order to defeat Maura Healey, we need a candidate who is raising money across the state, winning endorsements, and delivering a message of change for Massachusetts. Over the past six months, I have built the strongest grassroots fundraising effort with over 2,399 donors and I have built a powerful grassroots team. I am capping off this effort with a personal donation—not a loan—to my campaign,” said Shortsleeve

Shortsleeve’s personal contribution comes after the campaign says it raised over $1 million from 2,399 individual donors.

Harvard custodians to rally Monday

Custodians at Harvard University will be holding a rally at noon on Monday alongside student and faculty supporters as they demand fair wage increases that match with rising costs.

Harvard is currently offering a $2.90 per hour wage increase over a 4-year contract — equating to around a 75-cent rise in hourly pay each year. The University and 32BJ SEIU agreed to enter into federal mediation for negotiations over the contract. The union has been bargaining with the University since October 7.

Approximately 800 members of 32BJ SEIU are employed as custodians at Harvard University, some of which are employed directly by the University with others by third-party contractors.

The rally is scheduled for 12:00pm Monday at Harvard Yard.