Suffolk Poll: Patrick’s Lead Narrows

Kerry Healey has closed the gap between herself and Deval Patrick, as a new Suffolk University Poll indicates that Patrick’s lead over Healey is now down to 13%.

With less than four weeks remaining until the Final Election, Republican nominee Kerry Healey (33%) has closed to within 13% of frontrunner Democratic nominee Deval Patrick (46%), according to a 7NEWS/Suffolk University poll released today. Independent Christy Mihos (7%) and Green Rainbow nominee Grace Ross (1%) were far behind. There were 12% of likely voters undecided.

The new poll measures the impact over the past week of Healey’s tough campaign ads, and her focus on Patrick’s legal work for convicted criminals.

More bad news for Patrick…

When likely voters were asked if Deval Patrick is soft on crime, 32% said “yes,” 41% indicated “no,” and 27% were undecided. That contrasts with 7NEWS-Suffolk University poll of a week ago when only 17% said “yes,” 45% indicated “no,” and 37% were undecided, a net change of 19%. The most dramatic difference in this question was among Independents who said Deval Patrick is soft on crime by a 37%-36% margin. A week ago, only 19% of Independents said that Patrick was soft on crime, while 41% indicated he was not.

The 7NEWS/Suffolk University poll also reveals that Patrick’s popularity has been tarnished somewhat (-10%) by Healey’s onslaught of attack ads. Last week, Patrick’s favorability rating was 55% favorable-24% unfavorable. Today, his popularity is 50% favorable-31% unfavorable.

Aaron Margolis is a life long resident of the Bay State, and works at an architectural firm north of Boston. Aaron has a Master of Architecture Degree from Boston Architectural College and is currently in the process of becoming of a Registered Architect.