Markey, Healey get high marks in new Suffolk/Globe poll

The survey found high favorability for both Democrats as voters weighed 2026 and beyond.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:56pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of the Massachusetts State House building in Boston, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of political power and civic duty.The high favorability ratings for Massachusetts political figures like Markey and Healey suggest stability and continuity in the state's leadership.Boston Today

A new poll from Suffolk University and The Boston Globe found that U.S. Sen. Ed Markey holds a sizable lead over Rep. Seth Moulton in the Democratic primary, while Gov. Maura Healey has strong job approval ratings. The poll also measured favorability ratings for several Massachusetts political figures and looked ahead to the 2028 presidential race.

Why it matters

This poll provides an early glimpse into voter sentiment in Massachusetts ahead of the 2026 elections, with key races for the Senate and governor's office. The high favorability ratings for Markey and Healey suggest they are well-positioned to maintain their political power in the state, while the data on the 2028 presidential race offers clues about potential national contenders.

The details

The poll surveyed 500 respondents and found that 47% would support Markey in the Democratic Senate primary, compared to 30% for Moulton. Markey's job performance was rated 'excellent' or 'good' by 73% of respondents, while Healey's job approval was rated 'excellent' or 'good' by 75.6%. The poll also measured favorability ratings, with Markey at 84%, Healey at 81.2%, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu at 76.8%, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley at 65%. Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III and Rep. Seth Moulton had the highest unfavorable ratings.

  • The poll was conducted less than five months before the September 2026 Democratic primary election.

The players

Ed Markey

U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who is the frontrunner in the 2026 Democratic primary.

Seth Moulton

U.S. Representative from Massachusetts who is challenging Markey in the 2026 Democratic primary.

Maura Healey

Governor of Massachusetts who has strong job approval ratings according to the poll.

Michelle Wu

Mayor of Boston who has a 76.8% favorability rating in the poll.

Ayanna Pressley

U.S. Representative from Massachusetts who has a 65% favorability rating in the poll.

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The takeaway

This poll suggests that established Democratic figures like Markey and Healey remain popular in Massachusetts, even as new faces like Wu and Pressley gain traction. The data also offers an early glimpse into potential 2028 presidential contenders, with Buttigieg, Newsom, and Ocasio-Cortez generating the most excitement among respondents.