On behalf of UMass Lowell, YouGov is out with the first survey of the Massachusetts’ September Democratic primary that we’ve seen since March, and gives Rep. Joe Kennedy III a 44-42 edge in his campaign against Sen. Ed Markey. YouGov’s February poll for the school found Kennedy up 35-34, though that survey sampled likely voters in the March presidential primary. Whoever wins the Democratic nod should have no trouble in the general election in this very blue state.
A few polls taken before Kennedy launched his campaign in September gave the congressman, who hails from what is arguably America’s most prominent political family (his late grandfather is Robert F. Kennedy), a clear lead over Markey, but surveys taken earlier this year found a more competitive race. However, Kennedy very much has pulled ahead in the money race since he began campaigning for this seat. While the two were about evenly matched in June, Kennedy ended March with a $6.2 million to $4.4 million cash-on-hand lead.
As we noted when Kennedy began his campaign, it’s hard to find any ideological fault lines between the two candidates. Kennedy has been arguing that he can bring change to the political system Markey’s inhabited since before Kennedy was born, but this is hardly a classic insider vs. outsider battle. Both men are close to their party’s leadership, but it’s Markey who has the support of New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a favorite of anti-establishment progressives.
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