Mike Kennealy suspended his campaign for governor Sunday after failing to clear the 15% delegate hurdle at the Massachusetts Republican Convention necessary to make the primary ballot.

“I am deeply grateful to those that supported me,” Kennealy said in a statement Sunday. “Every meeting, every conversation, every story – I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It has been the honor of a lifetime to speak up on behalf of the people of Massachusetts and to highlight the challenges families across our Commonwealth are facing.”

Kennealy trailed his two Republican opponents for governor at the record 2,300-delegate convention on Saturday, falling short of the 15.5% threshold to make the primary ballot with only 14.1% or 253 of the delegates’ votes.

Political newcomer Mike Minogue, former CEO of Danvers-based biotech firm Abiomed, won the GOP endorsement in a landslide, taking 70.4% or 1,262 votes. Former MBTA leader and marine Brian Shortsleeve also just made the primary ballot with 15% or 278 votes.

Kennealy, a Lexington resident, served as the former Secretary of Housing and Economic Development under Gov. Charlie Baker and most recently worked in leadership at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston. The candidate pitched himself as holding both private and public sector experience, focusing on issues of affordability, taxes, rising energy costs, migrant policy and more.

The candidate raised about $438,000 in the first quarter of 2026, according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, trailing Minogue at over $7.5 million — of which Minogue gave $7 million himself — and Shortsleeve with $646,500.

Kennealy emphasized his “commitment to the Republican Party and its candidates remains unwavering.”

“This campaign was always about something bigger than just myself,” said Kennealy. “The fight does not end until we elect Republicans across Massachusetts. I am committed to continuing that work.”

Delegates also voted on Republican lieutenant governor candidates Saturday, awarding the Minogue-supported candidate Anne Brensley 56% or 1,100 votes and the MassGOP endorsement.

All three lieutenant governor candidates secured their spots on September’s ballot, with Kennealy-aligned Anne Manning-Martin receiving 27.3% or 536 votes and Shortsleeve-aligned Shawn Oliver gaining 16.6% or 325 votes.

U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton accepted the Massachusetts Republican nomination for U.S. Senate also on Saturday, in line to potentially face incumbent Sen. Ed Markey in November. The MassGOP previously voted to endorse Deaton back in November, after the sign off of former senate candidate Geoff Diehl, who previously ran against Healey for governor.

Both the attorney general and state treasurer Republican candidates sailed through their GOP nominations unchallenged at the convention Saturday.

Belmont Select Board member Elizabeth Dionne will run to unseat incumbent Treasurer Deb Godberg, and Lynnfield-based attorney Michael Walsh will face incumbent Attorney General Andrea Campbell.

The state Democrats will host their own nominating convention on May 29 and 30 at the Worcester’s DCU Center.

Minogue and Shortsleeve will move forward to the Sept. 1 primary ballot, ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

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