Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Massachusetts treasurer and receiver-general race?
Deb Goldberg has the strongest record in the Massachusetts treasurer and receiver-general race. Deb Goldberg scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Deb Goldberg's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Elizabeth Dionne (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican
Elizabeth Dionne
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 7 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 69
- Performance
- 50
Democratic · incumbent
Strongest record
Deb Goldberg
On the ballot as Deborah B. Goldberg
63 / 100
Public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 44
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 75
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Elizabeth Dionne
- On the record2025-12
As a Republican member of the Belmont Select Board, launched her campaign for treasurer in December 2025 as the first challenger to Deb Goldberg.
Source: Boston Herald, Dec. 15, 2025
- Credit2026-09-10
The Forward Party, a party other than her own, endorsed her for treasurer on Sept. 10, 2026.
- Credit2024-07-01
Became chair of the three-member Belmont Select Board on July 1, 2024, after winning her seat unopposed in 2023.
Source: Belmontonian, July 21, 2024
Deb Goldberg
- Unresolved2026-08-20
Shannon O'Brien sued her and the Cannabis Control Commission in Suffolk Superior Court in August 2026, alleging whistleblower retaliation, a civil rights violation and invasion of privacy; Goldberg's office says the issues were already litigated.
Where it stands: Filed August 2026; pending, no ruling found as of Oct. 9, 2026.
Sources: CommonWealth Beacon (State House News Service), Aug. 24, 2026, Lowell Sun (State House News Service), Aug. 24, 2026
- On the record2026-09-14
Has declined to debate Republican Elizabeth Dionne in 2026, citing what her campaign called a negative campaign; no treasurer debate was scheduled as of Sept. 30, 2026.
Sources: Lowell Sun (Boston Herald), Sept. 14, 2026, NBC Boston, Sept. 30, 2026
- On the record2025-09-02
A Superior Court judge in September 2025 vacated her 2024 removal of Cannabis Control Commission chair Shannon O'Brien as unsupported by substantial evidence; she dropped her appeal on Sept. 18, 2025.
Sources: Boston Herald, Sept. 2, 2025, Boston Herald, Sept. 18, 2025
- Credit2026-07-28
The State Lottery under her office produced $1.045 billion in net profit in fiscal 2026, the sixth straight year above $1 billion.
Source: Boston Herald (State House News Service), July 28, 2026
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Elizabeth Dionne. No public record found.
Deb Goldberg. State campaign finance disclosures are on file for each cycle shown (Ballotpedia summary of required disclosures). No OCPF enforcement action naming her was found in the agency's 2009 to 2026 action list.
Source: Ballotpedia, Deb Goldberg
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Elizabeth Dionne. No public record found.
Deb Goldberg. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Elizabeth Dionne. Has repeatedly requested debates with the treasurer and said she will debate anytime, anyplace.
Sources: NBC Boston, Sept. 30, 2026, Lowell Sun (Boston Herald), Sept. 14, 2026
Deb Goldberg. Per the Boston Herald (Sept. 14, 2026) she has refused to debate Elizabeth Dionne, declining Dionne's requests and a GBH offer; NBC Boston reported no treasurer debate as of Sept. 30, 2026.
Sources: Lowell Sun (Boston Herald), Sept. 14, 2026, NBC Boston, Sept. 30, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Elizabeth Dionne. No public record found.
Deb Goldberg. Brookline selectwoman and treasurer since 2015 with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding. A 2025 court ruling vacated her removal of the cannabis commission chair (see Record).
Source: Ballotpedia, Deb Goldberg
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Elizabeth Dionne. Serves on the Belmont Select Board, a sworn local office; no misuse-of-office finding found.
Source: Boston Herald, Dec. 15, 2025
Deb Goldberg. Treasurer since Jan. 21, 2015. No misuse-of-office finding and no action to reject certified results found. She dropped her appeal and accepted the 2025 court order reinstating the cannabis commission chair.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Deb Goldberg, Boston Herald, Sept. 18, 2025
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Elizabeth Dionne. Elected member of the Belmont Select Board; attorney (Stanford Law, 1998). She describes 10 years in local elected office.
Sources: Boston Herald, Dec. 15, 2025, Ballotpedia, Elizabeth Dionne
Deb Goldberg. Treasurer and Receiver-General since January 2015, three terms; earlier served on the Brookline Board of Selectmen.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Deb Goldberg, Boston Herald, Sept. 4, 2014
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Elizabeth Dionne. Published office-specific plans: cut Treasury travel and excess rental space, return unclaimed property, expand financial literacy and press for local aid from Lottery proceeds.
Source: Ballotpedia, Elizabeth Dionne, 2026 Candidate Connection survey
Deb Goldberg. Sitting treasurer for three terms; launched the online lottery in July 2026 with proceeds tied to early education and care.
Source: Boston Herald (State House News Service), July 28, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Elizabeth Dionne. Three channels: completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey, campaign issue plan, and broadcast and press interviews.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Elizabeth Dionne, NBC Boston, Sept. 30, 2026
Deb Goldberg. Two channels: press statements and broadcast interviews (NBC Boston). Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and is not debating.
Sources: NBC Boston, Sept. 30, 2026, Ballotpedia, Deb Goldberg
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Elizabeth Dionne. Belmont resident and select board member; years of residence not documented in an independent source.
Source: Boston Herald, Dec. 15, 2025
Deb Goldberg. Served on the Brookline Board of Selectmen (documented local service); Massachusetts schooling and career.
Source: Boston Herald, Sept. 4, 2014
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Elizabeth Dionne. No public record found.
Deb Goldberg. Heads the Treasury, including the State Lottery, which took in $5.9 billion in fiscal 2026 with administrative costs of about 2.4 percent.
Source: Boston Herald (State House News Service), July 28, 2026
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Elizabeth Dionne. No public record found.
Deb Goldberg. The State Lottery produced $1.045 billion in net profit for fiscal 2026, the sixth straight year above $1 billion, though $5 million under her projection.
Source: Boston Herald (State House News Service), July 28, 2026
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Elizabeth Dionne. No public record found.
Deb Goldberg. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Elizabeth Dionne. No public record found.
Deb Goldberg. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Elizabeth Dionne. Endorsed on Sept. 10, 2026 by the Forward Party, a party other than her own (one cross-party endorsement).
Deb Goldberg. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Elizabeth Dionne. No public record found.
Deb Goldberg. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Massachusetts treasurer and receiver-general race?
Deb Goldberg has the strongest record in the Massachusetts treasurer and receiver-general race. Deb Goldberg scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Deb Goldberg's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Elizabeth Dionne (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Massachusetts treasurer and receiver-general race in 2026?
Elizabeth Dionne (Republican), Deb Goldberg (Democratic, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Elizabeth Dionne a good candidate for Treasurer and Receiver-General?
Elizabeth Dionne has public evidence on 7 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Deb Goldberg a good candidate for Treasurer and Receiver-General?
Deb Goldberg scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria: character 44 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Massachusetts race scored, and the Massachusetts 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.