Two Republican candidates for governor told prospective voters that they believe Massachusetts can return to what they call common-sense governance with the right leadership on Beacon Hill.

Former Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Chief Administrator Brian Shortsleeve and former state Housing and Economic Development secretary Mike Kennealy spoke during a campaign fund-raiser for Plymouth County Commissioner Jared Valanzola at 71 West Atlantic Steakhouse in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, October 7. Businessman Mike Minogue, who is also seeking the GOP nomination for governor, was unable to attend.

Shortsleeve, who spoke first, said he is running as “a Marine, a business owner, and a government reformer.”

“I think people are awake,” he said. “This is not just about Republicans. It’s about Democrats who are fed up with their own party — especially when you look at what happened in the city of Boston two nights ago, when a police cruiser was burned to the ground and the mayor said very little.”

He criticized Governor Maura Healey for what he described as an agenda of higher taxes and misguided energy policies.

“She ran on the biggest tax hike in state history, and she’s delivered — five new tax proposals this year,” Shortsleeve said. “She’s been an endless proponent of terrible energy policies that are driving up our bills. She killed the natural-gas pipelines.”

Shortsleeve cited a recent state audit of the Mass Save program that found “working-class families are paying exorbitant fees … and getting little or nothing in return.”

He argued that economic conditions in Massachusetts have worsened under Democratic leadership.

“The fastest-growing demographic leaving Massachusetts right now are not billionaires,” Shortsleeve said. “They’re 25- to 40-year-olds finding opportunities elsewhere. The Boston Globe just wrote that Massachusetts is now 50th out of 50 for private-sector job growth and 49th for new business creation.”

(Several outlets have confirmed what Shortsleeve said: Massachusetts ranked 50th in private-sector job growth out of 50 states from 2023 to 2024.)

He said Republicans can win in 2026 if they focus on down-ballot organization.

“We can win this race, we will win this race,” he said. “Back in 1990, there was a big wave election. I think this is going to be one of those years. The key is having candidates at every level — selectmen, representatives, senators, commissioners — all working together.”

Kennealy, who spoke after Shortsleeve, thanked the crowd for supporting local Republican candidates and said Massachusetts needs a new direction.

“The next governor has to declare, in no uncertain terms, that we are not a sanctuary state,” Kennealy said. “We’ve got to cut taxes, spending, regulations, and energy costs. We have to restore accountability in state government, including auditing the Legislature.”

He said the next administration must “end the threats and lawsuits against our cities and towns, get the economy moving again, and improve our schools.”

“Oh, and by the way,” Kennealy said, “we’re going to keep our state flag. We’re not about boys playing on girls’ teams. We’re going to have voter ID. These are the things the next governor has to do — and I know I can do them.”

Kennealy added that his experience in business, education, and government would help him “convince voters to fire Maura Healey and hire me.”