Poll: Markey Takes Early Lead in Senate Race

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LOWELL, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
U.S. Rep. Edward Markey has a double-digit lead over Democratic opponent U.S.
Rep. Stephen Lynch and the three Republicans in the race for U.S. Senate in
Massachassetts, according to a new UMass Lowell-Boston Herald poll.

The independent, nonpartisan poll found Markey leads Lynch by 29.5 percentage
points among potential Democratic primary voters -- 50 to 20.5 percent, with 23
percent undecided -- as well as the Republican candidates in head-to-head
matchups: 19.5 points over former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez (47 to 27.5 percent);
17.2 points over former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan (47.5 to 30.3 percent);
and 23.2 points over state Rep. Dan Winslow (49.1 to 25.9 percent). Lynch leads
the Republicans by margins of 18.4 percent (Gomez), 17 percent (Sullivan) and
24.5 percent (Winslow).

Eighty-six percent were aware of the June 25 special election, but most are
unfamiliar with the candidates: 30.6 percent reported favorable views of Markey,
but 30.6 percent had no opinion and 18.7 percent had never heard of him (49.3
percent combined). Even among those who said they follow politics closely, 32.2
percent had no opinion of Markey and 17.2 percent never heard of him.

Regarding the other candidates, 41.6 percent had no opinion of Lynch and 18.7
percent had never heard of him (60.3 percent total); 38.9 percent had no opinion
of Sullivan and 40.2 percent never heard of him (79.1 percent); 31.5 percent had
no opinion and 53.4 percent never heard of Gomez (84.9 percent); 21.9 percent
had no opinion of Winslow and 69.6 percent never heard of him (91.5 percent
total).

"Ed Markey is the front-runner in a race characterized by lack of attention
among voters. Markey`s lead, while substantial against both Stephen Lynch and
the Republican candidates, is built on a great deal of soft support. In a
limited timeframe with competitive primaries on both sides, there are
considerable obstacles for candidates to overcome. However, there is great
potential for this race to shift as the campaign heats up," said Associate Prof.
Joshua Dyck, co-director of UMass Lowell`s Center for Public Opinion.

Respondents also expressed a strong feeling of distrust in government, with 12
percent saying they trust the federal government and 28 percent trusting state
government. Full results are available at www.uml.edu/polls.

Results based on interviews with a random sample of 600 Massachusetts voters
conducted March 2 through March 5 via landline and cellular telephones by RKM
Research and Communications; poll designed and analyzed by Dyck. Statistical
results based on a random-digit dial probability sample. Margin of error is plus
or minus 4 percentage points.

UMass Lowell is a national research university that offers its more than 16,000
students bachelor`s, master`s and doctoral degrees in business, education,
engineering, fine arts, health and environment, humanities, sciences and social
sciences. www.uml.edu

UMass Lowell
Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209
Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
-
UMass Lowell polling expert available for interviews in person, by phone or via
ReadyCam by VideoLink.

Copyright Business Wire 2013