Boos Greet Democrat Leaders at Red Sox Home Opener

Footage of the jeering crowd went viral, sparking reactions from GOP gubernatorial candidates.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 1:05am

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A vibrant, abstract painting depicting a crowd of baseball fans in motion, with the faces of Maura Healey and Michelle Wu repeated in overlapping, geometric patterns of blue, red, and white, conveying the energy and emotion of the booing incident.The booing of Massachusetts' Democratic leaders at a major sporting event highlights the ongoing political tensions in the state.Boston Today

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu were met with loud boos from the crowd of over 36,000 fans at the Red Sox home opener on Friday. Footage of the incident quickly spread on social media, providing an opportunity for Republican gubernatorial candidates to criticize the Democratic politicians.

Why it matters

The booing of Healey and Wu at a major sporting event highlights the ongoing political tensions in Massachusetts, where the two Democrats have faced backlash over their stances on issues like immigration enforcement. The viral video also gives Republican candidates a chance to appeal to voters who may be dissatisfied with the current state leadership.

The details

Healey and Wu took the field at Fenway Park before the game against the San Diego Padres for a pregame ceremony, but were met with sustained boos from the crowd. Several GOP gubernatorial candidates, including Brian Shortsleeve, Mike Minogue, and Mike Kennealy, seized on the moment, posting videos and comments about the jeering fans on social media.

  • The incident occurred at the Red Sox home opener on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • In October 2025, one of Healey's aides was arrested for cocaine trafficking.

The players

Maura Healey

The Democratic governor of Massachusetts who has faced backlash over her stances on issues like immigration enforcement.

Michelle Wu

The Democratic mayor of Boston who has also been a target of controversy due to her resistance to immigration enforcement.

Brian Shortsleeve

A Republican candidate for Massachusetts governor who posted about the booing incident on social media.

Mike Minogue

Another Republican candidate for Massachusetts governor who posted a video of Healey and Wu being booed.

Mike Kennealy

A Republican candidate for Massachusetts governor who commented on the booing on social media.

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What they’re saying

“Hey, everybody, coming to you from Fenway Park. Here's a quick update: It's a beautiful afternoon. The Red Sox are up by one. Maura Healey and Michelle Wu just got booed very loudly.”

— Brian Shortsleeve, Republican candidate for Massachusetts governor

“Looks like fans want someone else up to bat.”

— Mike Minogue, Republican candidate for Massachusetts governor

“Man, I love Red Sox Nation!”

— Mike Kennealy, Republican candidate for Massachusetts governor

What’s next

The booing incident is likely to continue being a topic of discussion in the Massachusetts gubernatorial race, with Republican candidates seeking to capitalize on the public backlash against Healey and Wu.

The takeaway

The viral video of Healey and Wu being booed at Fenway Park underscores the deep political divisions in Massachusetts, where the two Democratic leaders have faced criticism from Republicans over their policies and stances on key issues.