Republican nominee for governor Mike Minogue has accused Gov. Maura Healey of trading a new State Police contract for the troopers’ union endorsement. The State Police Association of Massachusetts called the claim “categorically false,” and Healey called it “lies and nonsense.” The exchange, a week before the November 3 election, was reported by NBC10 Boston, WBUR, WCVB and Boston 25 News. No evidence of an agreement has been made public, and none of the reports describe any investigation.
Here is what each side said, what the public record shows about the contract and the endorsement, and how a state union contract actually gets approved.
What Minogue said
- The Facebook post. In a Facebook post on Saturday, October 24, Minogue wrote, “Maura Healey – did you cut a deal with the State Troopers for an endorsement as Governor? Is this new contract funded in the supplemental budget ? If so- exchanging a political endorsement for a taxpayer contract and withholding announcement until after election is illegal,” NBC10 and WBUR reported. He also wrote, “New contract 6% x 3 +18%.”
- The debate. He raised the idea at the October 15 debate, saying, “I will make sure that corruption is not tolerated, and I also don’t like the deals that are being cut with the different unions to get endorsements,” according to NBC10.
- The follow-up statement. On Monday, his campaign called on Healey to “issue an official statement – under penalty of perjury – confirming whether anyone in her administration or campaign discussed or implied a connection between the contract and the endorsement,” and to disclose communications between the state’s negotiating team and the union. He said the timing “raises serious questions about transparency and the appearance of political influence,” and that his objections were aimed at the governor, not the troopers. “Our State Troopers deserve a fair contract, competitive compensation, and our full support and respect,” he said.
What the union and Healey said
- The union. “Mike Minogue’s allegation that the State Police Association of Massachusetts exchanged its endorsement for a contract is categorically false. Accusing our members of corruption without evidence is reckless,” union president Brendan Murphy said Sunday. He said the contract provides raises totaling 11% over three years, “consistent with what other state unions received,” and that “Mr. Minogue’s claim of 18% is wrong.” He asked Minogue to correct the claim and apologize to troopers.
- Healey. Asked in Framingham on Monday whether she denies a deal was cut, Healey said, “This is just more lies and nonsense from Mike Minogue and his campaign, but I stand by the work that we’ve done with law enforcement,” WCVB and NBC10 reported.
- Her campaign. Spokesperson Kerry Patrick Lyons called it “an unhinged rant from an unhinged, desperate candidate,” and said that response was “issued under penalty of perjury,” a nod to Minogue’s demand.
What the public record shows
- The endorsements. Healey announced endorsements on September 10 from the State Police Association of Massachusetts, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, the Massachusetts Coalition of Police and the State Police Commissioned Officers Association. None endorsed her in 2022; the troopers’ union and MassCOP said they endorsed no candidate for governor that year, NBC10 reported.
- The budget filing. On September 23, Healey filed a supplemental budget to close out fiscal year 2026. It includes language for “salary adjustments and other economic benefits” under finalized agreements with the troopers’ union and with the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union, and creates a $30 million reserve to pay for ratified contracts. The bill does not spell out the contract terms.
- Where it stands. The House passed its version last week with the same contract language and the $30 million reserve. The Senate likely will not take it up until after the election, according to NBC10 and WBUR.
The dispute over the raise is a dispute over numbers that have not been published in the bill: the union says 11% over three years, and Minogue’s post said 18%.
How a state union contract gets approved
Massachusetts public employee bargaining is governed by G.L. c. 150E. Section 7 explains why a trooper contract shows up in a budget bill:
- Filing. A signed agreement must be “reduced to writing, executed by the parties,” and filed with the commission named in the statute and with the House and Senate Ways and Means committees.
- Funding request. The employer must submit to the Legislature, “within thirty days after the date on which the agreement is executed,” a request for the money “necessary to fund the cost items contained therein.”
- The Legislature decides. If the Legislature “duly rejects the request,” the cost items “shall be returned to the parties for further bargaining.” So the money for a negotiated raise depends on a vote of the Legislature.
- Term limit. An agreement may not exceed three years, which matches the three-year raise both sides describe.
What the law says about trading official acts for something of value
Minogue said trading an endorsement for a contract would be illegal. The Massachusetts conflict of interest law, G.L. c. 268A, § 2, makes it a crime to “corruptly” give, offer or promise “anything of value” to a state employee “with intent … to influence any official act,” and for a state employee to “corruptly” seek or accept anything of value “in return for” being influenced in an official act. Violations carry up to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
The statute turns on corrupt intent and an exchange. Whether any such exchange occurred is exactly what the union and Healey deny, and no evidence of one has been made public. A union’s endorsement, and a contract negotiated with the same union, are not unlawful on their own; the statute requires a corrupt exchange.
Frequently asked questions
Did the State Police union endorse Maura Healey?
Yes. Healey announced endorsements on September 10, 2026 from the State Police Association of Massachusetts and three other police organizations. None of them endorsed her in 2022.
What is Mike Minogue’s claim about the State Police contract?
Minogue suggested the union’s endorsement was exchanged for a new contract funded in Healey’s September supplemental budget. The union called the claim “categorically false,” and Healey called it “lies and nonsense.” No evidence of an agreement has been made public.
How big is the new State Police raise?
The union says the contract provides raises totaling 11% over three years. Minogue’s post claimed 18%. The supplemental budget does not list the terms; it creates a $30 million reserve to fund ratified contracts with the troopers’ union and the correction officers’ union.
Does the Legislature have to approve state union contracts?
Yes. Under G.L. c. 150E, § 7, the employer must ask the Legislature to fund a contract’s cost items within 30 days after it is signed. If the Legislature rejects the request, the cost items go back to the bargaining table.
Sources: NBC10 Boston and WBUR, October 26, 2026; WCVB, October 26, 2026; Boston 25 News, October 26, 2026. G.L. c. 150E, § 7 and c. 268A, § 2 read at malegislature.gov. General information, not legal advice.