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Two weeks after the Massachusetts state primary, Maura T. Healey ’92 appears to be the governor-in-waiting.
Healey, the state’s attorney general who won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination with virtually no competition, holds a commanding polling lead over rival Geoffrey G. Diehl, the Republican nominee backed by former President Donald J. Trump.
Healey leads Diehl 52 percent to 26 percent, according to a poll from Suffolk University released last week.
Healey would be the third consecutive Harvard College alumni to serve as governor.
The poll showed Kevin Reed, the Libertarian nominee, siphoning off 10 percent of GOP primary voters, suggesting that some Republicans are repelled by Diehl.
Diehl defeated his more moderate primary opponent, businessman Chris Doughty, in the primary earlier this month.
Healey has gone on the attack against Diehl, charging that he is too conservative for Massachusetts, a blue state with a history of electing moderate GOP governors. Diehl has continued to tout Trump’s support and attack Healey as being too far to the left.
The New York Times reported Sunday that Diehl’s campaign declined to say whether he would accept the outcome of the election. The former Plymouth state representative also previously endorsed Trump’s false claims that he won the 2020 election.
Healey also holds a large fundraising advantage over Diehl. She had over $4.7 million in the bank at the end of August, according to state filings — compared to a meager $17,000 in Diehl’s coffers.
Every statewide Democratic candidate holds a double-digit lead over their GOP opponent, according to the Suffolk survey. Andrea J. Campbell, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, leads Republican James McMahon, 50 percent to 24 percent, according to the poll. State Senator Dianna DiZoglio leads Republican Anthony Amore by 18 points. Longtime Democratic incumbent William F. Galvin leads Republican Rayla Campbell by 33 percentage points.
President Joe Biden’s approval rating in Massachusetts sits at 48 percent, according to the poll, compared to 43 percent who disapprove.
Governor Charlie D. Baker ’79 holds a 70 percent approval rating, according to the survey.
—Staff writer Yusuf S. Mian can be reached at yusuf.mian@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @yusuf_mian2.
