Markey Defeats Moulton in Massachusetts Senate Primary

Incumbent Sen. Ed Markey has won the Democratic nomination for S. Senate in Massachusetts, defeating S. Rep. Seth Moulton, according to a race call by The Associated Press. Markey is seeking a third full term representing the state in the Senate.

Markey, who is 80 years old, first became a congressman in 1976 and was elected to the Senate in 2013. He has been known as a champion of progressive causes, including the Green New Deal. Speaking while voting in Malden on Tuesday morning, Markey outlined his agenda.

"I am going to provide a progressive vision in action on the floor of the United States Senate," he said. "That is Medicare for all, it's a Green New Deal, it is taxing billionaires, it's making sure we cut off this flow of defense money that Donald Trump is using to run an illegal unconstitutional war in Iran."

Moulton, a S. Marine Corps veteran elected to represent Massachusetts' 6th Congressional District in 2014, had positioned himself as a challenger from a new generation. He led an unsuccessful attempt to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming House speaker in 2018 and ran for president in 2020.

"With costs skyrocketing, we need new solutions to old challenges and then we need a new generation of leadership to take on new challenges like AI, that unfortunately, the senator doesn't even understand," Moulton said earlier on Tuesday. "And we also need to send someone to Washington who is going to fight to win the majority across the country."

There were few policy differences between the two, but Moulton argued that it was time for a change from Markey, who has been in Congress since 1976. Markey has said he is as energized as ever and has pledged this would be his last term.

Campaign Dynamics

Markey's victory is another win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, but it also represents a defeat for those calling for generational change. In other recent primaries, races have been fought across generational lines, with younger Democratic candidates running as progressives and challenging older incumbents, sometimes arguing that it is time for new ideas.

Markey successfully fought off discontent among Democrats with the party establishment by arguing that he has long fought for progressive ideals. He supports "Medicare for All," opposes President Trump's defense budget and a tax increase on the rich, and believes the focus of candidates' debates should be on ideas, not age.

"This is the most energized I've ever been, fighting a fight every day against Donald Trump and his agenda to undermine families all across our country," Markey said during a debate hosted by WWLP in July. "And I lead that fight."

Markey had endorsements from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. During an August debate, Markey accused Moulton of not standing up for transgender rights, saying, "You threw those trans kids under the bus." Moulton later apologized for hurting people with his comments and said he supports LGBTQ rights.

This was the second time Markey won a primary challenge against a much younger candidate. In 2020, he defeated Rep. Joe Kennedy III in the Democratic Senate primary.

Addressing his supporters Tuesday night, Moulton said Markey has his full support.

"Challenging the establishment and calling for a new generation of leadership isn't easy, but it is necessary," Moulton said. "We started conversations that will continue."

Other Primary Results

Six Democrats are vying for the nomination to Moulton's 6th Congressional District seat: Bethany Andres-Beck, John Beccia, Jamie Belsito, Dan Koh, Mariah Lancaster, and Tram Nguyen. In the 8th Congressional District, Rep. Stephen Lynch is being challenged by attorney Patrick Roath, whose campaign has spent more than $1 million.

In the Republican gubernatorial primary, Mike Minogue defeated Brian Shortsleeve and will face incumbent Democratic Gov. Maura Healey in the general election. Seven Democrats are running to replace Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, who is not seeking reelection. Key issues in that race include the Karen Read trials and the investigation into Sandra Birchmore's death.

Looking Ahead to November

Markey will face Republican John Deaton in the general election in November. Deaton is an attorney. Markey is heavily favored to win in deep blue Massachusetts.