Around New England

Kennedy, Markey Neck-and-Neck in Latest Poll

February 23, 2020

The Democratic primary in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race is highly competitive, according to one recent survey.

A poll released by the University of Massachusetts Lowell revealed U.S. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III holds a slim lead, within the margin of error, when it comes to Democratic primary voters.

The poll found Kennedy with 35 percent support whereas incumbent Senator Ed Markey had 34 percent. Twenty-three percent of those polled are undecided at the moment.

Both candidates are popular in their party. Kennedy had a 57 percent favorable rating while 12 percent of likely Democratic primary voters found him unfavorable. For Markey, they found a 55 percent favorable rating and 14 percent unfavorable.

The poll shows a clear socioeconomic divide.

Kennedy is leading among Democratic voters who earn less than $50,000 a year (41-30 percent) and with people who earn between $50,000 and $100,000 (34-25 percent), while Markey is doing better with Democratic voters who earn more than $100,000 (46-35 percent), according to the poll.

Among people without a college degree, Kennedy is leading 39 to 22 percent. Among people with a college degree, Markey is leading 43 to 32 percent.

If the poll is any indication, Markey is doing better as of late. In September, a Suffolk poll had the incumbent Democrat trailing by 9 points, 35 percent to 26 percent.

The two had their first primary debate last Tuesday, February 18 in the WGBH-TV Channel 2 studio in Brighton.