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MassINC poll: Just over half of voters approve of Healey’s performance
Healey's approval ratings are also much higher than Trump's and RFK Jr.'s among Mass. voters.
A new poll found that 56% of Mass. residents approve of Gov. Maura Healey’s performance.
This study from by MassINC Polling Group and the Commonwealth Beacon comes just over a year away from the gubernatorial election where Healey will seek reelection.
The MassINC Polling Group polled 1,000 residents between Aug. 11 and 18. Of the 56% of residents who approve, 20% strongly approve and 36% somewhat approve of the governor’s performance.
On the other hand, 15% somewhat disapprove, 18% strongly disapprove, and 11% are unsure about the Democrat.
In terms of voters demographics, Healey receives her high approval ratings mainly from Democrats, college educated voters, and women over 50 years old, the poll found.
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Healey’s approval ratings are lowest amongst voters without college degrees and residents of Southeastern Mass., the poll reports.
By comparison, in 2022 — the year before he left office — Gov. Charlie Baker had an overall approval rating of 68%, according to a UMass Amherst poll at that time.
Unsurprising in deep blue Massachusetts, Republican President Donald Trump’s approval rating is much lower among residents than Healey’s.
Forty-eight percent of Bay State residents strongly disapprove of Trump’s performance and 12% somewhat disapprove. On the flip side, 17% strongly approve and 18% somewhat approve of his performance.
“Healey looks to me like a conventional Democrat,” said Steve Koczela, president of the MassINC Polling group. “She draws more cross-party support than Trump. Republicans don’t love her, but they also are not united against her the way Democrats oppose Trump.”
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Massachusetts residents were also asked their opinion on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s performance as Health and Human Services secretary.
However, the poll was taken before RFK Jr. announced the new Covid vaccine guidelines and Healey’s subsequent declaration that anyone over age 5 will be able get a booster vaccine in Massachusetts.
Fifty-six percent of Mass. residents disapprove of Kennedy’s performance, while 34% approve.
The estimated margin of error for each percentage is plus or minus 3.5%, according to MassINC.
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