WORCESTER — Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve is heading into this weekend's Massachusetts GOP convention in Worcester with fresh endorsements from national and state-level figures — and a campaign that's picking up speed at exactly the right time.
On Monday, Shortsleeve announced he'd been endorsed by Senator Rick Scott, the former Florida governor and current U.S. senator.
I'm proud to have the endorsement of Senator and former Governor of Florida @ScottforFlorida! #mapoli #magov pic.twitter.com/jiLp5n0q6b— Brian Shortsleeve for Massachusetts (@ShortsleeveMA) April 21, 2026
The Scott endorsement is the biggest national name to weigh in on the Massachusetts governor's race so far — a signal that Shortsleeve is being taken seriously beyond the state's borders.
It comes on the heels of an endorsement from state Rep. Mike Soter, announced Sunday.
I'm proud to announce I've been endorsed by @RepSoter! Mike knows what it means to fight for working families because he's lived it. He understands the affordability crisis we're facing and the urgency to fix it. We're building a campaign focused on results, and I'm proud to have… pic.twitter.com/6kEpNCuj4P— Brian Shortsleeve for Massachusetts (@ShortsleeveMA) April 20, 2026
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Shortsleeve also has the backing of Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell, who will be a featured speaker at the convention.
Great to see my friend, endorser, and Taunton Mayor @ShaunnaOconnell will be a featured speaker at Saturday's @massgop convention! #mapoli #magov https://t.co/QnSyCWoCAk— Brian Shortsleeve for Massachusetts (@ShortsleeveMA) April 21, 2026
And a fresh batch of local leader endorsements dropped over the weekend.
ICYMI: Yesterday, Brian just picked some exciting new endorsements from local leaders. Check them out in the graphic below.— Brian Shortsleeve for Massachusetts (@ShortsleeveMA) April 21, 2026
These great local leaders are backing Brian Shortsleeve because they know he is the only candidate that can win both the primary and the general. Join… pic.twitter.com/46XZwG08gP
His running mate, New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver, is on the ticket for lieutenant governor.
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Convention week
The Massachusetts Republican Party convention takes place Saturday, April 25 at the DCU Center in Worcester. Shortsleeve is running against Mike Kennealy and Michael Minogue for the GOP nomination to take on Governor Maura Healey.
Shortsleeve has been building his case against Healey on pocketbook issues — hammering her on rising diesel prices, the state's $30 billion welfare budget, MassHealth fraud, and a parole board that released a man convicted of beating a 22-month-old baby to death.
On Thursday night, the campaign is hosting a pre-convention event at Off the Rails on Commercial Street in Worcester. Former U.S. Senator and Ambassador Scott Brown and his band The Diplomats will provide entertainment.
Shortsleeve, who voted for Trump in 2024 and previously served as chief administrator and acting general manager of the MBTA, is positioning himself as the candidate who can win both the primary and the general — a rare pitch in a state where Republican governors have historically needed crossover appeal to survive.
The convention will be the first real test of whether the endorsements translate to delegate support.
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