MA Residents Voice Strong Approval Of Healey, Warren: Poll

MASSACHUSETTS — A new poll showed strong ratings for Gov. Maura Healey and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. The released by UMass Amherst and WCVB poll included 700 Massachusetts residents.

Healey received a 58% approval rating, with 27% disapproving and 15% not sure. Warren had a 55% approval rating, with 33% disapproving and 12% not sure. Both Healey's and Warren's numbers remain steady when compared to a poll in April.

Sen. Edward Markey came in slightly lower at a 50% approval rating, with 31% disapproving and 19% not sure. The Massachusetts State Legislature had a 54% approval rating, with 29% disapproving and 16% not sure.

The poll found that the No. 1 issue in the state is housing shortage and affordability, with 31% putting it in the top spot. Immigration came in a distant second, with 12% saying it's the state's most important issue. After that came homelessness at 11%.

Healey's showing comes even as the state deals with the migrant and homeless shelter crisis. She announced last week that the state had reached a tipping point and would stop adding shelter units at the end of the month.

Massachusetts has a right-to-shelter law that requires the state to house families. An influx of migrants and a steadily increasing homeless population has pushed the shelter system into record-breaking territory.

See related: MA Will Stop Adding Family Shelter Beds By November: Gov. Healey

Healey didn't receive as high marks in individual issue categories. A total of 51% of respondents said she handled the housing shortage and affordability issue "not too well" or "not well at all."

She also got lower marks on her handling of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, with only 38% of respondents saying she handled the issue "very well" or "somewhat well."