Massachusetts Governor Healey Faces Low Approval Ratings Ahead of 2026 Campaign
Recent polling reveals that less than half of Massachusetts residents approve of Democratic Governor Maura Healey’s performance, marking a potential challenge as Republicans gear up for the 2026 election. A study conducted by the University of New Hampshire found that only 49% of respondents approved of Healey, with 45% disapproving—indicating a statistical dead heat, especially considering the margin of error of 3.3%. This represents a decline in her popularity from a previous poll in March, where she enjoyed a 54% approval rating.
Despite this drop, Healey retains substantial support amongst Democrats, with 78% backing her. However, approval wavers among independents, with only 39% expressing support, and a mere 5% of Republicans. The poll included 907 respondents and was conducted from May 22 to May 26.
Key issues driving public sentiment include high housing costs, identified as the main concern by 21% of respondents, followed by immigration and overall cost of living, each noted by 12%. Healey has publicly emphasized her administration’s efforts to address these pressing challenges.
The poll also revealed that only 37% believe Healey deserves a second term, while 40% disagreed, further highlighting the tough road ahead. Notably, a significant portion of respondents—60% of Democrats—believe she merits reelection, in contrast to just 32% of independents and 4% of Republicans.
In parallel, U.S. Senator Ed Markey faces similar troubles, with only 33% of constituents believing he deserves another term. Concerns over his age, as he approaches 79 during the campaign season, resonate with more than half of those surveyed.
Amidst Healey’s challenges, the 2026 race is shaping up to be competitive, with Republican contenders Mike Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve already in the fray.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
