Kennealy surrogate: Minogue candidacy is “dangerous” and “all about God and Jesus”
“It's flagrant and irresponsible for Mike Minogue to even run. It's wrong.”
Internet personality and GOP activist Jessica Machado, who endorsed gubernatorial hopeful Mike Kennealy two weeks ago, laced into fellow corner office contender Mike Minogue this afternoon calling his candidacy “dangerous” and questioning the degree to which his faith might influence his success as a candidate.
“Mike Minogue who is anti-abortion, Mike Minogue who is all about God and Jesus and its everywhere. And nothing for nothing…I’m all for that…is it enough of the unenrolled voter base in Massachusetts to put somebody like that to lead the state, absolutely not. You’re crazy. And these posts are very dangerous.”
Machado questioned the wisdom of a Minogue candidacy: “It’s flagrant and irresponsible for Mike Minogue to even run. It’s wrong. It’s not time. I don’t know if Massachusetts ever going to swing red, I would venture to say absolutely not, but we’re not even close, ok.”
At the time of Machado’s endorsement late last month, Kennealy said “Jessica has done so much for this Commonwealth, shining a light on stories that legacy media ignored and bringing critical issues to the forefront of our state’s conversation. I’m proud to have earned her endorsement and look forward to working alongside her to return the power of the governor’s office back to the people of Massachusetts.”
Machado also indicated that one of the important differences between Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve, the third declared GOP candidate, was the “other team for Brian, that I have just witnessed, unprofessionalism, drama, just weird stuff happening over there, weird. And I don’t like it.”
Machado made the comments while hosting an impromptu X space after reading a post by former Trump campaign staffer Chester Tam. She added that her comments should solely be construed to reflect her pessimism regarding Minogue’s general election prospects.
[The Minogue campaign declined to comment, we will update the story should the Kennealy campaign choose to respond.]
“I am getting very frustrated that I have peers in my community in politics in the Republican Party who are so blind to these types of candidates, winning a Massachusetts general election against Maura Healey,” Machado added.
Tam’s post said “Good morning to everyone in Massachusetts who doesn’t want to see the Republican party playing it safe in 2026.”
Machado re-posted Tam stating: “This post is a set up to failure once again in 2026. Please read the room.”
Machado did praise Tam for being a solid Republican. Tam suggested that his post was not exclusively about the gubernatorial candidates, but about all Massachusetts GOP candidates.
On X Tam responded: “Again, you totally misinterpreted my post and what I was getting at. I like all the candidates and have not made up my mind on who will get my vote as the primary is a long time away from now. I am simply stating that the candidates need to bring the heat and take the risk in their campaign strategy. You have my number; you could have just called me to clear this up.”
Listen to Machado’s X Space below.