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Fewer than half of Mass. residents approve of Gov. Maura Healey, new poll shows

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Fewer than half of Mass. residents approve of Gov. Maura Healey, new poll shows


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The poll showed that 49 percent of residents approve of Healey’s performance, while 45 percent don’t.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey speaks during a visit to the Cambridge Health Alliance Revere Care Center on Tuesday, May 27. (Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe)

Fewer than half of Massachusetts residents approve of Governor Maura Healey, and more people polled think she “does not deserve to be re-elected” than do, according to a new survey from University of New Hampshire.

Researchers polled 907 Massachusetts residents, a majority of whom are registered as unenrolled voters, according to the poll’s methodology.

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The poll showed that 49 percent of residents approve of Healey’s performance, while 45 percent don’t. That approval rating is down from 54 percent earlier this year, but up from a low of 42 percent in November.

A spokesperson for Healey deferred to the Massachusetts Democratic Party, which categorized the UNH poll as an “outlier.”

“Governor Healey will be re-elected because she is focused on the issues that matter most to voters in Massachusetts, lowering the cost of living, building more housing, improving transportation and education, and standing up to Donald Trump,” said MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan. “What is undeniable is that Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly reject Donald Trump and his disastrous agenda.”

The poll also showed just one-third of voters approve of President Donald Trump, his handling of the economy, and his handling of foreign affairs. A majority of people polled also thought that Trump accepting the plane from Qatar was “inappropriate” and the U.S. isn’t supporting Ukraine enough.

Healey is facing two Republican challengers: Brian Shortsleeve, the former head of the MBTA, and Mike Kennealy, a Lexington Republican who served in former Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration. 

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Both candidates reacted to news of the polling numbers on X, with Shortsleeve writing “her numbers are devastating. Do you think it is the migrant crisis, utility bills, or out of control spending?”

MassGOP emailed supporters with one overall message: “Healey is “beatable” in 2026,” Executive Director John Milligan said.

“The UNH poll confirms what we all knew: Maura Healey is vulnerable and she does not deserve to be reelected. I am the only candidate who can defeat Maura Healey. Massachusetts is ready for change and I’m ready to deliver,” Kennealy said on X.

MassDems pointed to a University of Massachusetts poll from February that shows that Healey “maintains support” and a Democratic Governors Association that shows record high ratings in May.

“Try as they might, Mike Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve cannot hide from their support for Trump’s policies,” Kerrigan said. “Voters will reject their brand of failed MAGA Republican politics.”

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Twenty-one percent of the respondents named the most important problem facing the state as housing, with 12 percent mentioning immigration and cost of living, according to UNH’s poll. The poll also showed that more than half of residents are also concerned about Sen. Ed Markey’s age. The senator is running for reelection next year at age 79.

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Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.





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Massachusetts

Massachusetts Governor Healey reacts to Brown University shooting

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Massachusetts Governor Healey reacts to Brown University shooting


BOSTON (WWLP) – Following the shooting at Brown University, claiming the lives of two students and injuring nine others, Governor Healey is joining calls for anyone with information to contact authorities.

Police have not yet made any arrests in connection with the shooting, but they have released footage of a person of interest, calling on the public for help.

“At this time, we just have to encourage anyone in the public who may know something, see something, to immediately contact law enforcement,” said Healey.

Governor Healey says the Massachusetts State Police are in Rhode Island to assist with the investigation. The governor also spoke to mounting fear on college campuses, as the number of mass shootings in the United States exceeds the number of days so far in the year.

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“In speaking with many of them, I know that they are taking all measures to ensure the safety of students and faculty, and certainly as a state we will do everything that we can to support those efforts,” said Governor Healey.

Local to western Massachusetts, UMass Amherst told 22News about their campus safety plans, which include adding emergency preparedness to student orientation and hosting optional active threat training for students, staff, and faculty.

The FBI is offering an award of up to $50,000 leading to an arrest and conviction. Anyone who thinks they may have information is encouraged to call the Providence Police.

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