A Massachusetts labor union recently endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue over Democratic incumbent Maura Healey.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 326 announced its support after meeting with Minogue last week.
Local 326 is based in North Andover. It has about 500 members. Its members work in the energy industry, including at the natural gas power plant in Salem.
The endorsement is noteworthy because labor unions generally support Democrats, and five other IBEW locals in Massachusetts have endorsed Healey.
That includes Boston-based Local 103, plus Locals 7, 104, 223 and 2322.
It also differs from 2022. That cycle, every IBEW local in Massachusetts backed Healey.
Minogue’s campaign said the October 6 meeting focused on natural gas pipelines.
Minogue said the state needs more pipelines to reduce energy costs and power businesses and hospitals.
IBEW supports building and maintaining natural gas pipelines.
“I’m grateful for the support of IBEW Local 326. They understand that Massachusetts is working for some, but not all,” Minogue said in a press release.
“Expanding natural gas pipelines into Massachusetts will ensure an adequate energy supply and lower energy costs,” he added.
Healey has the support of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and many other labor unions in her reelection bid.
