Reilly leads, Patrick gains in new pollDemocratic pair seen ahead of HealeyBy Frank Phillips, Globe Staff | March 12, 2006
Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly held a double-digit lead over his rival, Deval Patrick,
in the Democratic race for governor, but support for Patrick has surged, a new Boston Globe
poll of likely primary voters suggests.
Reilly drew 35 percent to Patrick's 22 percent among likely Democratic primary voters,
while Chris Gabrieli, a wealthy venture capitalist who is considering whether to join the race,
was supported by 4 percent. The poll suggests that Reilly may be weathering the turmoil
that hit his candidacy earlier this winter but that Patrick, who drew only 8 percent
in a poll last summer, has established himself as a serious contender for the Democratic
nomination six months before the Sept. 19 party primary.
In a general election match-up, both Reilly and Patrick led Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey,
the only Republican in the race. When Independent Christy Mihos was added to the mix,
both Democrats still outpolled Healey.