New poll shows Democrats far outpacing Republicans in Massachusetts Governor, U.S. Senate races, voters also feeling better about state’s economy

BOSTON—Incumbent Democratic Governor Maura Healey holds sizable leads over both of her potential Republican opponents, according to a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll of
Massachusetts registered voters.

In a Suffolk University release, Healey leads Republican frontrunner Michael Minogue by 25 points, 56%-31%, while besting Republican Brian Shortsleeve by an even higher margin, 56%-29%.

In the US Senate poll, either incumbent Democratic Senator Ed Markey (55%-30%) or Congressman Seth Moulton (54%-26%) would easily defeat Republican nominee John Deaton.

Massachusetts voters did report feeling better about the state’s direction and economy, with 41% rating the Massachusetts economy as “excellent/good,” nearly double the 21% in a 2025 Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll taken last November, while the number of respondents rating the Massachusetts economy “fair/poor” is 57%, down from 77% seven months ago.

The release also stated that the price of food and groceries (33%) has now overtaken utility costs (16%) as the No. 1 issue identified as having the biggest impact on personal finances, respondents said. Other issues included taxes (16%), mortgage or rent payments (14%), and gasoline prices (11%).

When it comes to job loss, 70% said they were “not concerned at all about” losing their jobs, and 71% stated they felt they had enough money to live comfortably. More than half said they thought Massachusetts was “heading in the right direction.”

David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, said, “The Massachusetts economy doesn’t depict an ideal ‘commonwealth,’ because there is clearly a widening gap between the haves and have nots. Among households earning $20,000 or less, 41% rated the Massachusetts economy as poor, compared with just 14% of those making $140,000 or more.”

“Of those lower-earning households, 55% said they were very concerned about their personal financial situation compared with just 13% of those making $140,000 or more who were worried,” Paleologos said. “And 61% of those making $20,000 or less say they do not have enough money to live comfortably, while 86% of respondents making $140,000 or more say they are living comfortably.”

The Suffolk University statewide survey of 500 residents was conducted June 8-12, and is based on live interviews of registered voters in Massachusetts. Each area’s quota and demographic information—including party affiliation, gender, race, and age—were determined from similar midterm exit polls and 2022 census data. The 14 Massachusetts counties were grouped into four general regions. The margin of sampling error for results based on the total sample is +/- 4.4 percentage points. Marginals and full cross-tabulation data are posted on the Suffolk University Political Research Center website.