> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.newbostonpost.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Mike Minogue Says He’d Uphold Massachusetts Abortion Laws if Elected Governor - URL: https://www.newbostonpost.com/mike-minogue-says-hed-uphold-massachusetts-abortion-laws-if-elected-governor/ - Published: 2026-05-04T13:00:36.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-04T13:00:38.000Z - Description: Mike Minogue says he would uphold abortion laws in Massachusetts if elected governor, as he outlines plans to audit state spending and defend tax cuts. - Author: State House News Service - Tags: News, Politics, State Government, #most-popular Michael P. Norton State House News Service Saying state spending was "blowing up," Republican candidate for governor Mike Minogue on Sunday pledged to audit the whole state budget, claimed public appropriations are being squandered on "waste and fraud," and waved off allegations by Gov. Maura Healey that he is an "extreme" candidate. Appearing on WCVB's "On the Record" program, Minogue also said he's Catholic and "pro-life" but understands that the Massachusetts electorate at large supports a slate of state laws that protect reproductive rights. "If someone is going through a very difficult decision, I think we should also give them counseling, support, give them empathy," he said. "And there's many options out there, right? We shouldn't just do, the only option is abortion. Some people want a different decision. Some people want financial aid, and I think that's something that's important. But as governor, I know what the law is, and I'm going to uphold the law." He later added, "There's people in Massachusetts that clearly decided, and I know what the law is." A spokesman for GOP gubernatorial hopeful Brian Shortsleeve, who describes himself as pro-choice, said Minogue's comments "gave Maura Healey all the ammunition she will need to defeat him in November." Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan predicted that Minogue, if elected, "will cut abortion access in Massachusetts" and said that "it's more important than ever that we re-elect Governor Healey, because she is the only candidate who will stand up for reproductive freedom for women in Massachusetts.” As she seeks a second term, Healey after the April 25 Republican Party convention called Minogue and Shortsleeve the "most extreme MAGA candidates," knocking them for supporting President Donald Trump's policies. A donor to Trump and national Republicans, Minogue called that labeling "insulting" and "such an easy attack," adding that "only in Massachusetts is it breaking news that a Republican supported the Republican" president. "I want to help Massachusetts," Minogue said. "I am Massachusetts Mike. Massachusetts Mike only cares about what is happening to our citizens, our entrepreneurs and our businesses." Minogue told co-host Sharman Sacchetti that he does not buy the argument from state Democrats that cutting the income tax rate, as is proposed through a possible ballot question, will harm programs and services people rely on. "Absolutely not. We have billions of waste and fraud," he said, knocking "free right to shelter" laws that he said are used by "illegal immigrants." While the phased tax cut will also remove funding supports for state programs, cutting the income tax from 5% to 4% will lead to $1,300 in revenue for the "average taxpayer," Minogue said. "What that does is it grows our businesses," he said. "The real crisis is the governor has run out of spending other people's money. That's the problem." Minogue supports the 2024 law enabling the auditor to audit the state Legislature, which is tied up in court amidst resistance from legislators who say the law may be unconstitutional. As governor, he would oversee executive branch spending, and influence the funding of the judiciary and Legislature. He wants a closer look. "I won't just do the Legislature. I'll do the entire $63 billion budget," Minogue said. "I'll bring in third party audit firm, that public companies go through. I actually have already paid a company to go back to 2019." Minogue said 54% of the budget is spent on health care. "A balance sheet is a balance sheet," he said. "You can also bring in third party groups, and other states do it as well, and you can audit the health care system. There's billions of dollars of waste and fraud in Medicaid, Medicare in the state." He did not offer specifics. The assertion of widespread health care fraud is also being made by national Republicans who are probing the safety net programs in multiple states. Supporters of state spending on health care disagree about claims of rampant fraud, arguing programs provide critical safety net services, keep the state's uninsured rate low and are scrutinized for potential problems. Minogue said his campaign is about accountability, affordability, jobs and community safety. "My main message is, Massachusetts should be the best place to live, work and raise a family," Minogue said. "People are leaving. Young people are leaving. They can't afford the housing here. Traffic has never worked. Seniors don't think they can retire. We are last in the nation in private job growth." After Republican Party delegates nominated him two weekends ago in Worcester, Minogue has looked past debate calls from Shortsleeve, who barely secured enough support at the convention to move on, chalking that up to the "political establishment and Twitter noise." "I do want to do a debate, starting doing debates, conversations side by side," Minogue said. "They'll be professional. I won't name call. But with Maura Healey. I'm focused now on a general election." Minogue said he views the 70% support he received at the Republican convention as a mandate. He did not call on Shortsleeve to drop out of the race but said again Sunday that "it's time for the party to unite." “Minogue has dodged primary debates for months because he doesn’t want voters to understand his agenda or his record," Shortsleeve spokesman Patrick Nestor said in a statement Sunday. "Minogue’s appearance this morning shows exactly why these debates are vital for Republican primary voters to be able to nominate a candidate who can win in November."