As Democrats across the US signal an increasing appetite for change, US Sen. Ed Markey secured the Democratic nomination in Massachusetts' Senate primary Tuesday. Markey, 80, fought off a challenge from US Rep. Seth Moulton, 47, who argued that it was time for a generational change, the AP reports. Moulton, a moderate, told voters it was time to do away with the "status quo." Markey pointed to Moulton's more moderate positions to argue that it was Moulton—not the older incumbent—who was out of touch with the state's voters.
- In heavily Democratic Massachusetts, the primary is considered the most critical election hurdle, and the winner is expected to prevail in the general election in November. Markey will face Republican lawyer John Deaton in the general election, the New York Times reports. Deaton, who ran unopposed in his primary, lost to Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the state's 2024 race by around 20 points.
In early results Tuesday, Markey had roughly 70% of the vote, per DecisionDeskHQ. Markey has been a fixture in Massachusetts politics since the 1970s and is seeking a third six-year term. On the campaign trail, Moulton questioned Markey's accomplishments during his lengthy time in office. "People ought to ask, what are you going to accomplish in the next six years that you haven't been able to accomplish in the last 50?" Moulton said.
- Markey boasted about his 2022 climate bill and called for an end to the war in Iran to bring down energy costs. He also sharply criticized Moulton for opposing "Medicare for All"—though Moulton has called for universal healthcare. "He has a backwards-looking political agenda," Markey said.
During the campaign, Markey repeatedly pointed out that Moulton, in 2024, raised eyebrows among some in the party for saying he did not want his daughters playing sports against transgender girls. Moulton later apologized for his remarks, saying it was not his intention to hurt the transgender community and stressing his support for other transgender rights bills. "If you're in the trans community or you're a trans kid feeling the weight of the Trump administration and the Supreme Court, you matter," Moulton said during an August debate. "You're valued, and I will always have your back."
- Moulton, who enlisted in the Marines after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 and served four tours of duty in Iraq, was first elected to Massachusetts' 6th Congressional District in 2014. He launched a 2020 presidential campaign but dropped it after a few months.
- Markey was elected to the Senate in 2013. Before that, he represented Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District from 1976 to 2013. Markey notably fended off a challenge in 2020 from Rep. Joe Kennedy III, a younger rival from one of the nation's most famous political families. Markey did so by aligning himself with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party.
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