- Senator Ed Markey won the Democratic primary in Massachusetts, defeating Rep. Seth Moulton, in a victory for the party's progressive wing, as projected by NBC News.
- Markey is favored to win a third full term in the November general election against Republican nominee John Deaton.
- Moulton, first elected in 2014, challenged Markey, who has served since 1976, arguing that Markey is too old to be effective.
- Markey touted his liberal record, including the Green New Deal and Medicare for All, and received endorsements from progressive leaders like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
- Moulton and his allies outspent Markey, with $7.1 million on ads compared to Markey's $3.9 million.
- Markey criticized Moulton on transgender issues, stating he 'threw trans kids under the bus' after the 2024 election.
- Polls indicated that Markey had a sizable lead over Moulton before the primary.
Senator Ed Markey decisively won the Massachusetts Democratic primary, defeating Rep. Seth Moulton by nearly 50 percentage points, a significant victory for the party's progressive wing. Markey, 80, emphasized his liberal credentials, including his role in the Green New Deal and support for Medicare for All.13457
“It’s all about not just sending a Democrat to the Senate — it’s sending a progressive Democrat to the Senate from Massachusetts so there can be someone that reflects your values every single day,” Markey stated before the primary, framing the contest as a “progressive final round.”
Despite Moulton's spending advantage of $7.1 million compared to Markey's $3.9 million, the incumbent's strong backing from progressive leaders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, bolstered his campaign. Moulton, 47, criticized Markey's age and effectiveness, but the senator countered by asserting his energy and commitment to the electorate.6
Massachusetts, a heavily Democratic state, is expected to favor Markey in the upcoming general election against Republican nominee John Deaton. This primary result reflects a broader trend within the Democratic Party, where voters have increasingly favored younger, progressive candidates in recent elections, although Markey's long-standing advocacy for progressive causes has solidified his position.2
The primary also highlighted generational tensions within the party, as Moulton's moderate stance on issues like healthcare and transgender rights contrasted sharply with Markey's progressive platform. Markey's victory signals a continued alignment with progressive values among Massachusetts Democrats, setting the stage for his third full term in the Senate.
“Markey, 80, fended off the 47-year-old Moulton by touting his liberal record, including the Green New Deal and Medicare for All, and with endorsements from Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Moulton and allies outspent Markey $7.1 million to $3.9 million on ads, but Markey's lead in polls proved insurmountable.”
The Guardian
