A new Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll found over half of Massachusetts voters either could not name a Maura Healey administration accomplishment or said “nothing.”

By Tom Joyce

June 17, 2026 · 4:19 PM EDT · 2 min read read

Gov. Maura Healey speaks at a State House press conference on May 28, 2026. Photo by Ella Adams / State House News Service

More than half of Massachusetts voters could not name a signature accomplishment from Governor Maura Healey’s first term, according to a new Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll.

The poll asked 500 registered voters what they believe has been Healey’s signature achievement during her 3 1/2 years in office.

The most common answer was not a policy item.

About 33.2% of voters said they did not know, had no answer, or refused to answer. Another 17.4% said “nothing.”

That means 50.6% of voters either could not name one or said that she had no signature achievement.

Another 8.6% gave negative mentions.

The most common positive answer was housing or homelessness, at 6.2%. Another 5.2% cited Healey “standing up to Trump Administration.” Immigration came next, at 3.8%.

Other answers came in lower. About 2.4% cited public transportation. About 1.8% cited education, and 1.8% cited taxes.

The Massachusetts Republican Party seized on the poll.

“We need a Governor who will focus on improving affordability, opportunity and safety to make people want to stay here for a lifetime, not taxing us until our children and grandchildren can’t afford to live in the same state,” Amy Carnevale, chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, said in a written statement.

She added, “Massachusetts cannot afford four more years of Maura Healey.”

The party also pointed to other poll results showing voters remain worried about costs.

The poll found 54.2% of voters said they have either seriously considered moving out of Massachusetts in the past year or thought about it from time to time. Of those voters, 40.2% cited the cost of living as the main reason.

The poll also found that 69.2% of voters said they would not be willing to pay to drive downtown if Boston adopted congestion pricing. Another 65.6% said they support a proposed ballot question that would cut the state income tax rate from 5% to 4% by 2029.

The result comes as Healey seeks a second term and her campaign touts a long list of accomplishments.

Her campaign website says she has worked to lower costs, build more housing, improve the MBTA, cut taxes, make community college free, provide free school meals, and protect abortion access — a policy that allows the taking of unborn human life.

Still, many voters did not name any of those items when asked an open-ended question.

The poll also found Healey in a strong position for re-election.

If the general election were held today, 56.2% of voters said they would vote for or lean toward Healey over Republican Michael Minogue, who got 31%. About 11.4% were undecided.

Healey also led Republican Brian Shortsleeve, 56.4% to 29.4%. About 12.6% were undecided in that matchup.

So while many voters could not name a major Healey accomplishment, most still preferred her over either Republican.

The poll found mixed views on life in Massachusetts.

About 51.2% of voters said Massachusetts is heading in the right direction, while 39.8% said it is on the wrong track.

Voters had a much darker view of the country. About 72.4% said the United States is on the wrong track, while 19.8% said it is heading in the right direction.

The poll also found that voters continue to feel pressure from costs.

When asked what area has the biggest impact on their personal finances, 33% said food and groceries. Another 16.4% said utility costs, 15.8% said taxes, and 13.6% said mortgage or rent payments.

Suffolk University surveyed 500 Massachusetts registered voters from June 8 to June 12. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 points.