Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) is in an advantageous position over Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) in the Democratic primary for a Massachusetts special Senate election, according to a poll released on Monday.
Polling showed Markey holds a 14-point lead over Lynch, with 42 percent of likely Democratic primary voters supporting Markey and 28 percent supporting Lynch. They are running to replace former Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), who left the Senate to lead the State Department. Kerry threw his support behind Markey in December.
The poll was conducted on behalf of NARAL Pro-Choice America and the League of Conservation Voters by the Democratic firm Garin-Hart-Yang. The firm surveyed 613 likely Democratic primary voters by phone between Feb. 26 and Feb. 27.
NARAL, one of the poll's sponsors, endorsed Markey last Thursday, according to TPM.
Recent polls demonstrate a consistently steady edge by Markey. Polling conducted by WBUR/MassINC in February reported a closer 7-point margin between Lynch and Markey.
Massachusetts state Rep. Carl Sciortino (D), one of the few openly gay members in state legislature, announced in February that he would run to replace Markey should he win the special election.
Two Republicans have also said they will run for Kerry's former seat. Republican Gabriel Gomez announced last week that he had enough signatures for a spot in the race alongside Norfolk Republican state Rep. Dan Winslow.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misidentified the League of Conservation Voters as the League of Conservative Voters.