Sen. Peter Durant, R-Spencer, expects to decide “relatively shortly” whether to run for governor in the 2026 contest and explained his early outlook on the race in an interview that aired Sunday.

The senator said he thinks Democrat Gov. Maura Healey “is vulnerable” as she prepares to seek a second four-year term and also that he thinks he could do a better job in the Corner Office. He gave himself 50-50 odds of winning the statewide race, but also said he has been in touch with other Republicans who might run and wants to see the best candidate carry the GOP flag. Durant represents the Worcester and Hampshire districts, which includes the Town of Phillipston. 

“We’re looking at this. We’re talking to people. At the end of the day, I have to answer a few questions to myself. And that is, A) Do I think I’ll make a good governor? I do, so I think we can pass that bar. Do I think I can win? OK, I feel like there’s a 50-50 shot, right now, today. OK. Do you think that someone else is better at this? And that’s what we’re going to find out too,” Durant said on WCVB’s ”On The Record” in a segment that aired Sunday. He added, “[If] I feel like I’m the best person for this job, we’re going to be 100% and we’re going to do this every day of the week.”

“But, I will say, I don’t have to be the leader. I don’t have to be the governor,” Durant continued. “If we find somebody who I think is – this is the guy or girl, this is the person – I’m behind that person.”

Durant is among a handful of Republicans who have been mentioned as possible candidates for governor in 2026, a list that also includes Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, former Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, former MBTA Chief Administrator Brian Shortsleeve and former U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton.

Durant brought up the results of a recent WCVB/UMass poll that tested Healey in hypothetical match-ups against himself and other possible Republican candidates. Healey won all of the supposed contests, but registered at between 40% and 45% support in each.

“She only gets to 40% of people who say they would reelect her, so there’s certainly a door that’s open there,” Durant said.