By Gianna Ferace ’25
In an unexpected twist ahead of the 2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial race, a 19-year-old independent candidate from Peabody has entered the spotlight, and he’s not your typical politician. Connor Gray, a local resident and aspiring rap artist, has officially launched his campaign for governor, filing with the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance. In an interview with NBC10 Boston, Gray described his decision to run as both spontaneous and spiritual.
“I’m not a fan of how current politics are,” Gray said. “Despite my age, I want to see how much of a difference I can make. I just felt in my spirit God saying to me, ‘Run for governor.’”
Gray is campaigning on a platform that reflects his outsider status, with proposals that include eliminating the state income tax, tackling Massachusetts’ housing crisis, and even launching a state-run space program. His overarching message is rooted in economic reform and innovation.
“We need to run Massachusetts like a business,” Gray said. “We’re the state of innovation — we always have been. I want to make us the number one place in the entire world of innovation.”
Though he acknowledges his lack of conventional political experience and the fact that he is still pursuing his GED, Gray remains undeterred by public skepticism.
“I think a lot of people are going to look at me and go, ‘Oh, he’s only 19 years old, what does he know about anything?’” he said. “I just don’t think that anyone’s lining up with a vision for Massachusetts.”
To secure a spot on the 2026 ballot, Gray must gather 10,000 signatures from registered voters. Once he reaches that goal, he plans to formally file his nomination papers at Peabody City Hall. Whether he is viewed as a long shot or a bold new voice, Connor Gray’s candidacy adds an unconventional energy to the race which is one that challenges the norms of a typical canidate for governer is like.
Be First to Comment