Poll: Voters Want Healey Focused on Cost of Living, Not on Trump

I said it would happen. I knew it would happen, and now it's happening.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is running for re-election against President Donald Trump, and not the three Republican candidates (Mike Kennealy, Mike Minogue, and Brian Shortsleeve) who are vying to take Healey on in the state's November general election.

Poll Suggests Voters Want Focus on Local Issues

According to a recent poll, many voters would prefer that Healey pay less attention to the "Trumpster" and focus more time on important issues facing the Commonwealth, such as the high cost of living.

The Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll finds respondents more concerned these days about the cost of living (31.4 percent) and housing (20 percent).

Massachusetts has among the highest out-migration rates in the nation. High taxes and the lack of affordable housing are often given as reasons for the exodus.

READ MORE: Massachusetts Losing Residents – and Billions in Income

National Politics Still a Factor for Some Massachusetts Voters

Concerns about Trump keep about 19.2 percent of poll respondents up at night, while 17.4 percent would like to see Healey focus on healthcare.

Immigration is a priority for five percent of respondents, while 2.8 percent are most concerned about crime.

The poll says 3.6 percent of voters are unsure what Healey should focus more time thinking about, while 0.4 percent refused to answer the question.

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Healey Maintains Strong Approval Ratings

Overall, Healey does well with poll respondents, with 45.6 percent saying she is doing a "good" job and 29.4 percent saying "excellent." Just 15.8 percent say Healey is doing a "fair" job, and 6.2 percent say "poor."

Only two percent are "undecided" about the job Healey is doing as governor, while 0.6 percent refused to answer the question.