Mayor Shaunna O'Connell says no to a run for governor — Here's what we know

Chris Helms, The Taunton Daily Gazette
·2 min read

TAUNTON — Mayor Shaunna O'Connell has decided against running for governor, according to Holly Robichaud, a well-known GOP figure who advises O'Connell and other Republican politicians.

Robichaud confirmed the decision Wednesday. It was first reported by Politico.

"She's decided for family reasons and also keeping her commitment to the people of Taunton," Robichaud said. "Taunton has always been the top priority for her."

In December, the Boston Herald cited unnamed sources to report that O'Connell was "seriously considering" a run for governor.

From left, Mayor Shaunna O'Connell, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and O'Connell's husband Ted O'Connell pause for a photo during the City of Taunton inauguration ceremony at Taunton High School on Jan. 3, 2022. O'Connell gave Polito a key to the city.
From left, Mayor Shaunna O'Connell, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and O'Connell's husband Ted O'Connell pause for a photo during the City of Taunton inauguration ceremony at Taunton High School on Jan. 3, 2022. O'Connell gave Polito a key to the city.

O'Connell began her second term as mayor in January. Before winning the top office on the fourth floor of City Hall, O'Connell had won five two-year terms in the State House of Representatives. She held the 3rd Bristol seat representing Taunton and part of Easton. She resigned from that seat after being elected mayor of Taunton. In November, she won a second term as the Silver City's mayor, running unopposed.

Testing the waters: What would a Mayor Shaunna O'Connell run for governor mean for Taunton?

Gov. Charlie Baker is not seeking a new term, which set off a scramble in both major parties.

Politico linked O'Connell's decision with the entrance of Wrentham's Chris Doughty into the race for governor, ensuring a GOP primary. Doughty is expected to run as a moderate Republican. Whitman's Geoff Diehl, a former state representative for the 7th Plymouth District, appears to have cornered the Trump wing of the Massachusetts Republican Party.

The Democratic side of the governor's race had a major — though long-expected — shake-up as Attorney General Maura Healey formally entered the race. Also running for the Democratic nomination are state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz (Second Suffolk) and Danielle Allen, a political theorist at Harvard University.

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This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton's Shaunna O'Connell: Mayor decides not to run for governor