Massachusetts union leaders sharply criticized Republican gubernatorial nominee Michael Minogue on Saturday, accusing the affluent former medical device executive of attempting to “buy” the election through extensive self-funding. The comments came during a rally in Boston in support of incumbent Governor Maura Healey as the campaign heads toward the November 3 election.

Minogue, who made his fortune as CEO of Danvers-based Abiomed, became a billionaire following the company’s $16.6 billion acquisition by Johnson & Johnson in 2016. He reportedly received separation payments of at least $240 million from the sale. The first-time political candidate has invested heavily in his campaign, contributing more than $15.8 million over the past year, including a record-setting $6.1 million spent in September alone—an unprecedented monthly expenditure for a Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate.

At the rally held outside the IBEW Local 103 union hall in Dorchester, Chrissy Lynch, president of the AFL-CIO and a prominent ally of Healey, criticized Minogue’s spending and political messaging. Lynch accused Minogue of portraying himself as a moderate while aligning with former President Donald Trump, describing him as “an out-of-touch mega millionaire.” She urged voters to see through what she called “misleading” advertisements funded by Minogue’s wealth.

Minogue dismissed the union leaders’ criticisms as unfounded political attacks aimed at diverting attention from Healey’s record. In a statement, he accused the governor and her supporters of misusing public pensions and failing to address economic challenges facing Massachusetts residents, including housing affordability, energy costs, and healthcare.

Governor Healey echoed union concerns, stating that Minogue is “trying to buy this election” through his massive advertising campaign. She acknowledged her inability to match his financial resources but emphasized her focus on connecting with voters through direct engagement and highlighting her accomplishments.

Labor unions at the event rallied behind Healey’s support for project labor agreements on major public infrastructure projects. The Healey administration has advocated for such agreements on initiatives including the Sagamore Bridge replacement, despite warnings from conservative-leaning groups that these labor requirements could increase the project’s cost by hundreds of millions of dollars. Business agent Bernie Sharpe of IBEW Local 103 defended the agreements as safeguards against cost overruns and guarantees of quality work.

Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions, criticized Minogue’s lack of governmental experience, arguing that his business background alone does not qualify him to govern the state.

Minogue’s tenure at Abiomed included nearly two decades as CEO, overseeing a strategic turnaround that increased annual revenue past $1 billion. Prior to that, he held a senior role at GE Healthcare. Despite his professional background, Minogue continued to stress frustrations he says he has heard from union members concerning mismanagement of pensions and economic stagnation, positioning his campaign as an effort to refocus government priorities on Massachusetts workers.