- Markey, 80, framed the race as a fight for progressive values, stating, “Massachusetts needs a Senator who stands up and fights back, a Senator who never forgets who they are fighting for.”
- Moulton, 47, argued for change, saying, “Massachusetts has a choice: settle for the status quo, or demand better.”
- Markey, who has served in the Senate since 2013, previously defeated a younger challenger, Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, in his last reelection bid.
- Markey argued that Moulton’s stances don’t align with Massachusetts voters, saying, “there’s only one progressive in this race” and “we don’t just need a democratic majority in the Senate. We need a progressive majority.”
- Markey emphasized the importance of ideas over age, stating, “It’s not about your age, it’s about the age of your ideas. And I am the youngest guy in this race when it comes to ideas.”
- Markey, a supporter of transgender rights, criticized Moulton for comments about transgender athletes, which Moulton later apologized for.
Sen. Ed Markey, 80, successfully defended his Senate seat against 47-year-old Rep. Seth Moulton in the Massachusetts Democratic primary, garnering 64.9% of the vote.
The race was viewed as a generational clash, with Markey emphasizing his long-standing progressive record.
“Massachusetts needs a Senator who stands up and fights back,” Markey declared in his victory speech, highlighting his commitment to progressive values.12
Moulton, advocating for change, stated, “Massachusetts has a choice: settle for the status quo, or demand better.”
Markey countered Moulton's claims, asserting, “there’s only one progressive in this race” and stressing the need for a “progressive majority” in the Senate.
This victory marks another instance where Markey has outperformed younger challengers, having previously defeated Rep. Joseph Kennedy III in 2020.4
Markey's campaign focused on his progressive achievements, including co-sponsoring the Green New Deal, while Moulton faced scrutiny for his comments on transgender athletes, which he later apologized for.
As Markey prepares for the November election, he aims to continue advocating for a progressive agenda in Congress, stating, “It’s not about your age, it’s about the age of your ideas.”6
“Markey, who has served in the Senate since 2013, previously defeated Rep. Joseph Kennedy III in his last reelection bid. He also criticized Moulton for comments about transgender athletes, which Moulton later apologized for, saying 'you matter.'”
