The two major-party candidates for governor spent more than $10 million between them last month, each trying to convince voters they’re the best pick.
Republican Mike Minogue, who’s now put more than $17 million of his own money into his campaign, dropped a total of $6.1 million in September, 80% of which went to the ad-buying agency AxMedia. Minogue's next-biggest monthly expense, logged in his Office of Campaign Political Finance report as a charge for campaign canvassing, was $450,000 to WDR, a Colorado-based marketing agency. His other spending includes $40,000 in production costs to Poolhouse, the Virginia agency led by former Romney aide Will Ritter, and $15,000 to Axiom Strategies, a full-service Republican consulting firm with which AxMedia is affiliated.
The $4.1 million Gov. Maura Healey spent last month, meanwhile, is more than she shelled out in the first eight months of the year and all of 2025, combined. The Arlington Democrat’s September campaign finance report also features sizable payments to a media-buying firm — $2.2 million to Canal Partners Media — and another $1.3 million to digital communications firm Wavelength Strategy. The governor's report also shows payments of $286,000 to the Democratic State Committee, $88,290 to creative communications company Z Tribeca, and $35,000 to Beacon Research for a survey.
The governor’s race is a battle between war chests. Down-ballot, where the districts (and checking accounts) get smaller, it takes less money to make an impact. Accounting for the lighter wallets of lower-profile candidates, a look at who’s dishing out the dollars suggests some potential competitive hotspots.
Peter Meaney, a Lynn Democrat running against Saugus Republican Rep. Donald Wong, posted the most spending of any House candidate in September ($55,304). Another challenger — Ipswich Republican Daniel Kelly, who's vying against Hamilton Democrat Rep. Kristin Kassner — also cracked the top 10, with a little over $19,000.
On the Senate side, the biggest active spenders include Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues, a Westport Democrat who's facing a challenge from Fall River Republican Gabriel "Boomer" Amaral. Rodrigues' September expenses total more than $42,382, including $16,291 in catering and venue costs for an August fundraiser at Westport Rivers Winery.
But where there's campaign-finance smoke, there isn't always a fiery race.
Millbury Sen. Michael Moore, a Democrat whose last contested election was a decade ago, recently announced a $50,000 media campaign targeting his Worcester-area district. The blitz, according to Moore's campaign, includes billboards with the slogan "Less Talk. Moore Delivers," and a video that will run on TV, streaming services and social platforms.
Moore says it's "about showing up" and making sure voters "hear directly from me about the work we’re doing, the results we’re delivering for our communities and where we’re headed next."
Fifty thousand dollars is a huge pile of cash in an uncontested legislative race. In the governor's race, it's basically pocket change — Healey and Minogue combined spent nearly two-thirds that amount just on merchant and processing fees last month.
Campaign spending is one clue to which races are heating up, but what mailers, ads and yard signs keep popping up in your neighborhoods? Are there any general election House and Senate races you’re watching? Let me know at [email protected]
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HAPPENING TODAY
9:30 | Supreme Judicial Court holds a special sitting at the Hampden County Superior Court with three cases on the docket, including one dealing with a denied license to carry firearms....50 State St., Springfield | Info and Livestream
9:30 | Worcester State University hosts forum about Question 4, which would allow Bay Staters to register to vote and cast their ballots on Election Day. Hosted as part of the Commonwealth Ballot Forum Initiative alongside Salem State University and UMass Amherst, the conversation will offer perspectives from elected officials, civic organizations and the Worcester City Clerk's Office | Worcester State University, Fuller Theater, 2nd floor, Shaughnessy Administration Building
11:30 | Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities hosts a celebration for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Lt. Gov. Driscoll gives the keynote. Sen. Lovely and Rep. Garballey will be recognized | More Info and Zoom
11:30 | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce hosts a conversation with Biogen CEO Christopher Viehbacher | The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Ave., Boston | Register
12:00 | State Library of Massachusetts hosts an author talk with Byron Williams on his book, "Liberty and Equality in America: Examining the Radical and Paradoxical Legacy of the Declaration of Independence" | State Library, Room 341 | Livestream
2:00 | Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Investment Committee meets | Agenda and Access
2:00 | Alexandra DeVoe, a lead accessibility engineer for the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, joins a panel on AI, disability, and the future of work hosted by the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities | Room 428 | Register and Virtual Access
3:00 | Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight holds a hearing about the implementation of the 2019 law that requires the hands-free use of cellphones while driving | Room B-2 | More Info
4:00 | Mass Reads Coalition hosts its first "Right to Read" virtual forum in a series of five sessions spanning October to February. The series is meant to offer guidance to state leaders and districts as they implement the literacy law Gov. Healey signed earlier this year | Register
6:00 | Department of Conservation and Recreation hosts a listening session to review final draft recommendations for the Brimfield State Forest Trail Master Plan | More Info and Zoom
6:00 | Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue hosts "Rally in the City," where attendees can register to vote | Park City Southie, 411 Dorchester Ave., Boston
7:00 | MassDOT holds a public hearing about a proposed project in Adams to replace the bridge superstructure for Cook Street over the Hoosic River | Register
JOB BOARD
Justice Geraldine S. Hines Legal Fellowship — NEW, Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General
Senior Transportation Engineer, City of Newton
Financial Investigator III, Mass Gaming Commission
Vice President of Administration and Finance, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Government Relations Officer, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
1099 Admin Hourly, Shepherd Strategies
Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General
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ON BEACON HILL
SHOW THEM THE MONEY: According to unclaimed property watchdog Ron Lizzi, the $3.4 billion Treasurer Deb Goldberg's office says it has in unclaimed property leaves at least $450 million unaccounted for. Lizzi says many other states automatically return unclaimed money to their residents. A Goldberg aide says adopting such a system isn't up to her, and the $450 million not listed on her website include money whose owners can't be fully identified. | Boston Herald
SJC ON ICE: Justices on the Supreme Judicial Court are wrestling with questions the role of judges and prosecutors when federal immigration proceedings throw a wrench in the typical legal proceedings. | CommonWealth Beacon
ADDING IT UP: The $2 billion price tag for a new Springfield courthouse includes both construction costs and rent for at least 40 years, an approach state officials project will ultimately save taxpayers money and let the facility open faster. | Boston Globe
SEARCH ENGINE: A computer programmer built a searchable database of a set of obscure public records — the ethics disclosures filed by Massachusetts officials. Nathan Story's latest project comes after he and another software engineer in 2020 compiled a database of Boston Police Department information. | BINJ
NEWS NEXT DOOR
CONGRESSIONAL BYGONES: Congresswoman Lori Trahan, who won her seat by inching past Dan Koh in a crowded 2018 primary, is now endorsing her one-time rival in the Sixth District after initially backing another Democrat who came up short in September. Trahan says she believes Koh will fight as hard in Congress as he does on the campaign trail. | Eagle-Tribune
DUE DATE: The Cambridge Health Alliance Birth Center, backed by $1 million in state funding and celebrated by elected officials when it reopened this summer, anticipates its first delivery this week. | State House News Service (gift link)
NO VOTE: Lawrence city councilors delayed their planned vote of no confidence in Mayor Brian DePeña by a week. Residents still weighed in during the meeting's public comment period. | WHDH
CIRCLING THE BLOCK: The Boston City Council could vote this year on a proposal to eliminate minimum parking requirements for new housing. Such a move would follow the lead of Cambridge, Somerville and some other cities around the country. | MassLive
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JOB BOARD
Lead Organizer / Civic Engagement Coordinator, Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants
Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
Vice President of Membership and Engagement, Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers
Staff Attorney, Disability Law Center
Chief Financial Officer, Boston Public Health Commission
Financial Investigations Manager, Mass Gaming Commission
Behavioral Health Coordinator, For Kids Only Afterschool
Assistant Secretary / MEPA Director, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Director, Finance & Accounting, AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod
Director of Grants Development, Boston Public Health Commission
Chief Procurement Officer, Barnstable County
Deputy Comptroller, City of Newton
Associate General Counsel-MRSB, Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General
Utilities Program Manager, MassDevelopment
