Poll Shows Healey Leading GOP Rivals in Massachusetts Race

Massachusetts Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy responded with a hearty laugh during a recent appearance on my program when I told him he and his Republican challengers, Brian Shortsleeve and Mike Minogue, were "getting their butts kicked" by incumbent Democrat Maura Healey in a recent University of New Hampshire (UNH) Survey Center Poll.

Kennealy felt it might be too early in the process to focus on polls. After all, the Republicans haven't even nominated a candidate yet.

Republicans Still Months From Choosing a Nominee

I know, it's early. The crocus has barely broken through the soil, and spring snow remains a threat for a while longer. However, fall will be here before you know it, and with it, the 2026 statewide elections. Makes you giddy, doesn't it?

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While many Massachusetts residents focus on March Madness and spring training games, deep in the recesses of our political system, pollsters are hard at work sampling and probing the voters. "What if this?" or "what if that?" they ask.

Polls Show Strong Approval for Gov. Maura Healey

Consistently, the polls have shown Healey with a comfortable margin and high voter approval. A recent Morning Consult Poll gave Healey a 62 percent approval rating. The UNH poll gives Healey a 51 percent approval rating.

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UNH Survey Shows Republicans Trailing by Wide Margins

Healey's lead over Kennealy, Shortsleeve, and Minogue holds steady.
The UNH poll showed all three Republicans with less than 30 percent of the vote, trailing Healey by at least 25 points, with roughly 15 percent still undecided.

GOP Convention Will Narrow the Field

Massachusetts Republicans hold their nominating convention on April 25, 2026, in Worcester. Two candidates will emerge from the convention to battle it out for the GOP nomination for Governor of Massachusetts in a primary election in September.

That gives the nominee just two months to make his case against Healey before the general election in November.

Here's a List of All the Snakes Native to Massachusetts (Two Can Kill You)

Did you know that there's a species of rattlesnake found in the Bay State? Or that two of our local venomous serpents can be deadly to humans — but despite what your parents told you, the water moccasin isn't one of them? (They don't even live in Massachusetts.) Love them or hate them, these slithery little suckers are everywhere. Here's what snakes you're most likely to find in your backyard.

Gallery Credit: Kate Robinson

Massachusetts' 'Firsts' Other Than Thanksgiving

Massachusetts may be most famous for hosting the first Thanksgiving, but that's not the Bay State's only 'first.' Throughout the early years of America, Massachusetts was the first state to have many things we see everywhere today.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

Source: New Poll Shows Maura Healey Dominating Potential GOP Rivals

Filed Under: Maura Healey

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