Sen. Ed Markey Defeats Rep. Seth Moulton in Massachusetts Democratic Primary
Sen. Ed Markey has secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, according to a race call by The Associated Press, turning back a challenge from Rep. Seth Moulton in a contest that centered on questions of age, leadership and progressive values.
The victory marks another win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party this election cycle, while simultaneously rebuffing calls for generational change in party leadership. Markey, who turned 80 in July, defeated Moulton, 47, a Marine Corps veteran who served four tours in Iraq and earned two Bronze Star Medals and a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for valor.
With 10% of results reported, Markey led with 69.5% of the vote to Moulton's 30.5%, a commanding margin that reflected his strong polling advantage heading into primary day.
A Career Spanning Five Decades
Markey's political career extends back to 1973, when he first entered the Massachusetts State House. He won a special election to Congress in 1976 and served 37 years in the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected to the Senate in a June 2013 special election to fill the seat vacated by John Kerry, who was appointed U.S. Secretary of State.
Throughout the campaign, Markey, who often introduces himself as the son of a milkman from Malden, emphasized his progressive record on issues including Medicare for All, opposition to President Trump's defense budget, and support for raising taxes on the wealthy. He argued that debates should focus on ideas rather than age.
This is the most energized I've ever been, fighting Donald Trump every single day, fighting his agenda to undermine families all across our country. And I lead that fight.
Markey said during a July debate hosted by WWLP.
Progressive Credentials and Key Endorsements
Markey co-authored the Green New Deal resolution with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a major progressive climate initiative that became central to his progressive credentials. That collaboration helped secure him endorsements from Ocasio-Cortez, as well as fellow Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Recent polling showed that Markey's supporters felt a connection to his progressivism and were less concerned about his age than party insiders might have expected.
Tensions Over Transgender Rights
The campaign saw sharp exchanges over social issues. In an August debate, Markey accused Moulton of not standing up for transgender rights, telling the congressman that after President Trump was reelected,
You threw those trans kids under the bus.
The comment referenced Moulton's 2024 statement that Democrats should be able to discuss trans issues, when he added that he didn't want his daughters
getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete.During the debate, Moulton apologized for hurting people with his comments and affirmed his support for LGBTQ rights.
A Proven Track Record Against Younger Challengers
This marked the second time Markey successfully defended against a primary challenge from a younger candidate arguing for generational change. In 2020, he defeated Rep. Joe Kennedy III by a margin of 55%-45%, marking the first time a Kennedy had lost a congressional race in Massachusetts history. Markey went on to win the general election that year with 66.2% of the vote.
Looking Ahead to November
Markey will face attorney John Deaton in the November general election. Deaton, a Marine veteran, cryptocurrency lawyer, and cancer survivor who founded the Deaton Law Firm in 2006, previously ran for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts in 2024, losing to Senator Elizabeth Warren by approximately 20 percentage points.
Markey is heavily favored to win in deep blue Massachusetts, where Republicans have not won a Senate election since 2010, when Scott Brown won a special election. The state's Democratic lean suggests Markey's toughest test has already passed with Tuesday's primary victory.
