Poll: Massachusetts Voters May Have Had Enough of Ed Markey

The year was 1976. Disco, bell-bottoms, Jimmy Carter, Happy Days and Stretch Armstrong were all in vogue. New Bedford High School handed me a diploma and showed me the door.

We cruised "the Avenue" in Mustang convertibles and Camaros. Saturday nights were for double dates at the Dartmouth Drive-In. We hung out at the tennis courts at Buttonwood Park.

And Ed Markey went to Washington.

Get our free mobile app

The Malden Democrat ditched his ice cream truck and got himself elected, first to the U.S. House and later to the Senate. He's still there.

My 50th high school reunion is next year, and Ed Markey is up for re-election. He will be 80 years old.

At least one of us has moved on.

Markey appeared destined for retirement in 2020 but pulled off an incredible upset against Rep. Joe Kennedy to hang on to his Senate seat. Kennedy went to Ireland while Markey remained in Washington.

Though the 2026 midterms are many months away, Markey has already announced plans to seek another six-year term. Some think Markey's luster may be fading, and a new Fiscal Alliance Foundation poll may lend credence to that belief.

Markey enjoys a 55 percent approval rating versus 30 percent who disapprove. The FAF survey finds that 33.13 percent have a strongly favorable view of Markey, while 21.63 percent have a somewhat favorable view. Even so, 55 percent believe Markey should not run again. Only 26 percent believe Markey deserves another term.

In a head-to-head Senate primary match-up with Governor Maura Healey, respondents chose Healey (34.5 percent) over Markey (20.63 percent), with 44.8 percent unsure.

Against Rep. Jake Auchincloss, Markey fares better with 25.25 percent to Auchincloss' 24.50 percent and 50.25 percent undecided.

The Fiscal Alliance Federation survey was conducted in March.