The Hiller Instinct: Suffolk University Poll

Attorney General Martha Coakley was the first to get in the race to replace Senator Edward Kennedy, and that's where state voters tell us she'll finish, too.

Our exclusive 7News-Suffolk University poll shows Coakley far in front -- with 47%. Congressman Mike Capuano gets 9%. 33% are undecided; 9% named candidates not in the race.

So, to catch Coakley, Capuano, who will officially announce Friday, must win nearly all the "undecideds" and the votes going to others.

While Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, who will announce Thursday, is virtually unknown as a candidate.

If Coakley does win, she should thank Joe Kennedy for not running.

Our poll shows Joe has the highest favorability rating of any candidate and that 59% of Democratic voters would have voted for him.

Our poll also shows why Vicki Kennedy was wise not to seek her husband's seat in the senate.

Only 25% of all voters wish she were running, while 59% do not.

Professor David Paleologos, Suffolk University pollster said, "If Joe Kennedy runs, Joe Kennedy wins. If Vicki Kennedy runs, people don't want to see her go through a campaign."

In the Republican Primary, Scott Brown is favored to beat Canton Selectman Bob Burr, but voters tell us Brown shouldn't plan on changing his title from State Senator to U.S. Senator.

Our poll shows him losing to either Coakley or Capuano, with Coakley winning in a rout.

More evidence the Democrats will keep Kennedy's seat: When we asked all voters, "Who do you expect the next senator will be?" 32% said Coakley, 3% Capuano, and 7% Brown.

And as Beacon Hill gets ready to decide whether the Governor can pick an interim Senator, voters have this advice: 55% say they want a temporary replacement, 41% say they don't.

"We tracked 18 different categories in this question, and in 16 of the 18 categories it was supported. The only categories where it was opposed were among registered Republicans and men."

Let's be honest: with no Kennedy running, this election is less than we expected.

There will be no celebrity candidate, and no talk of dynasty, legacy, or Camelot. But this race may still be historic...because Massachusetts has never had a female senator. And every number in this poll now says we will.

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