Markey Has Expanded Lead Over Deaton in Senate Race
A new poll shows incumbent Senator Ed Markey maintaining a significant lead over challenger John Deaton.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Elections
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Senator Ed Markey holds a 23-point lead over John Deaton in the Massachusetts Senate race, according to a University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll. The survey found 53% support for the incumbent compared to 30% for Deaton among likely voters.
Why it matters
The latest polling indicates a widening gap between the candidates, as Markey grew his lead from 19 points in August to 23 points in late September. This shift highlights the ongoing struggle for challenger Deaton to gain name recognition, with nearly half of voters remaining unfamiliar with him.
The poll surveyed 564 likely voters with a margin of error of 4.1%. While 53% of respondents favor Markey, 9% support Joe Tache and 8% remain undecided.
The players
Ed Markey
He is the incumbent United States Senator from Massachusetts and resides in Malden.
John Deaton
He is the Republican challenger in the Massachusetts Senate race and is based in Bolton.
Joe Tache
He is a third candidate identified in the polling data as receiving 9% support from likely voters.
University of New Hampshire Survey Center
This academic institution conducted the polling survey of Massachusetts likely voters.
The details
In addition to the candidate polling, Markey maintains a +15 net favorability rating, whereas Deaton has a -1 rating. Data suggests Deaton faces an uphill battle in the Commonwealth, as 46% of likely voters do not know enough about him to form an opinion.
Timeline
In August 2026, Markey held a 19-point advantage over Deaton.
The survey was conducted from September 17 to September 21, 2026.
Political Context
This poll reflects the traditional challenges faced by challengers in blue states during the 2026 U.S. Senate election cycle. Opposition parties often point to the high number of undecided voters and those unaware of candidates as evidence that the race remains fluid.
The polling data suggests a stable lead for the incumbent, which may influence how local voters perceive the necessity of early voting or debate engagement. Residents should monitor these numbers as a gauge for how the candidates prioritize campaign outreach in their specific districts.
The takeaway
Markey's double-digit lead illustrates the difficulty Deaton faces in building sufficient voter awareness to close the gap. Voters should look for shifts in these margins as the election approaches and candidate campaigning intensifies.
Further reading
For more information on state contests, visit the Massachusetts Elections section.
Live Poll
Do you generally favor re-electing incumbent senators to their current positions?
