Wu, Janey Lead Boston Mayoral Field, New Globe/Suffolk Poll Shows

City Councillor Michelle Wu and Acting Mayor Kim Janey top the poll of likely Sept. 14 preliminary voters released Tuesday by the Boston Globe and Suffolk University.

Surveyed on their first choice for the top job in City Hall, 23.4% said Wu had their vote. Janey received 21.6%.

City Councillor Annissa Essaibi George took 14.4% and City Councillor Andrea Campbell received 10.8%.

State Rep. Jon Santiago received 4.6% and John Barros, former Mayor Marty Walsh's economic development chief, had 1.8%.

Retired police officer Robert Cappucci and North End resident Richard Spagnuolo each received under 1%. About 22% said they were still undecided.

The poll surveyed 500 likely preliminary voters between June 23 and June 26. Housing was the top issue that will affect their vote, they said, followed by racism and justice and schools and education, and the economy/jobs.

Asked for their second choice, 18.7% of voters picked Wu. Campbell followed with 15.7%. Behind her were Janey (13.1%), Essaibi George (11.57%), Barros (8.7%), Santiago (5.1%), Cappucci (2.8%) and Spagnuolo (0.77%). There was 23% undecided.

The poll also asked about favorability ratings. Walsh, who left for President Biden's administration in March, had a 68% favorable rating, and a 21.6% unfavorable rating. He has said he will not endorse a candidate in the race to succeed him.

Of the respondents, 62% said they had a favorable rating of Wu, followed by 57.6% saying they had a favorable rating of Janey.

This story was originally published by the Dorchester Reporter. WBUR and the Reporter have a partnership in which the news organizations share stories and resources to collaborate on stories.