Mass. Democrats Favor Coakley but Yearn for Kennedy

2 years ago

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When Democrats go to the polls December 8 to choose a nominee for the seat of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, 47 percent say they would pick Attorney General Martha Coakley, but the candidate they really yearn for is former Rep. Joseph Kennedy , according to a Suffolk University poll conducted Sept. 12-15.

Voters also said by 55 percent to 41 percent that they favored changing Massachusetts law to let the governor appoint an interim replacement for Kennedy until the January special election. The Massachusetts House is supposed to vote on that measure today.

Among the names included in the poll, which does not include some heavyweight names that may decide to enter, all register in single digits. A third of voters were undecided.

When Democrats were asked if they would vote for Kennedy if he got in the race, they overwhelmingly said yes, by 59 percent to 25 percent.

"If Joe Kennedy runs, Joe Kennedy wins," said Suffolk's David Paleologo. "Across every demographic, Kennedy was strong. In fact, fifty-four percent of Martha Coakley Democratic Primary voters said they would vote for Joe Kennedy, if he ran."

In a match-up against Republican State. Sen. Scott Brown, who has announced his candidacy, Coakley leads 54 percent to 24 percent with 20 percent undecided.

Filed Under: Senate, Polls

Tagged: Daily Guidance, DailyGuidance, Joseph Kennedy, JosephKennedy, Martha Coakley, MarthaCoakley, Massachusetts Senate Race, MassachusettsSenateRace

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