succeed him in the 2006 gubernatorial election. Healey was unopposed for the Republican nomination. Lieutenant governor Candidates Reed Hillman, former State Representative and Massachusetts State Police Colonel As incumbent Kerry Healey ran for governor, the position of lieutenant governor was open. Reed Hillman was unopposed for the Republican nomination General election Candidates Kerry Healey, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts (Republican) Running mate: Reed Hillman, former State Representative and Massachusetts State Police Colonel Christy Mihos, businessman and former member of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (Independent) Running mate: John Sullivan, former Winchester selectman Deval Patrick, former Assistant United States Attorney General for Civil Rights (Democratic) Running mate: Tim Murray, mayor of Worcester Grace Ross, anti-poverty and LGBT activist (Green-Rainbow) Running mate: Wendy Van Horne, nurse (withdrew September 1) Running mate: Martina Robinson, disability rights activist Campaign On April 25, Republican Kerry Healey called for four debates, each involving all four candidates, between the September primaries and November general election, and this proposition was seconded by Patrick. The general election campaign kicked off on primary day, September 19, after Tom Reilly and Chris Gabrieli conceded and Kerry Healey accepted her uncontested nomination. Deval Patrick followed with his acceptance speech, appearing with his new running mate Tim Murray and former opponent Chris Gabrieli. The general election campaign was very heated and was referred to by Michael Dukakis as "the dirtiest gubernatorial campaign in my memory". The Healey campaign released attack ads implying that Deval Patrick supports sexual assault or murder of police (culminating in the now infamous "parking lot rape" ad). Healey supporters also protested at the homes of Patrick and Patrick campaign manager John E. Walsh, and documents leaked anonymously to media about Patrick's brother-in-law's criminal history. After the final debate, WRKO talk radio host John DePetro came under scrutiny for referring to Grace Ross as a "fat lesbian". DePetro was suspended earlier in the year for calling Turnpike Authority chief Matt Amorello a "fag". Debates The first televised debate of the general election was held by WFXT and the Boston Herald] on September 25 on WFXT. Moderated by Fox News' Chris Wallace on the day after his Bill Clinton interview. The second debate was held in Springfield and broadcast on WGBH and NECN. Endorsements Kerry Healey: Boston Herald, Springfield Republican The Eagle-Tribune Sentinel & Enterprise Lowell Sun Cape Cod Times Deval Patrick: The Boston Globe, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, MetroWest Daily News, Providence