Primary Challenges for Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey
Senator Ed Markey, a 79-year-old Democrat who has been in Congress for nearly 50 years, is facing considerable primary competition as he looks toward his upcoming term.
Representative Seth Moulton, a 47-year-old Democrat from Massachusetts, launched his campaign for Markey’s seat in 2026 on Wednesday. Moulton is advocating for generational change, emphasizing the need to avoid a situation similar to former President Joe Biden’s ousting in 2024 due to his age. His announcement adds to a notable primary landscape that could further divide the Democratic Party ahead of the midterm elections.
“We’re in a crisis, and considering what we learned from the last election, Sen. Markey shouldn’t seek another six-year term at 80,” Moulton stated during a three-minute campaign video. “Furthermore, having been in Congress for half a century, I don’t think he is the right person to navigate this moment and secure the future.”
Moulton called for a “new generation of leadership,” echoing sentiments shared by many voters feeling the age of current political leaders.
In his announcement, Moulton reaffirmed his commitment to progressive issues like universal health care and addressing climate change. He didn’t delve into specific policies around transgender rights, but notably, Moulton had previously deviated from party lines following the Democrats’ losses in November 2024.
“I have two little girls and I don’t want them to be overshadowed by men or former male athletes in sports,” he mentioned after the election, highlighting a viewpoint that stirred controversy among some activists. His comments led to a primary challenge from a candidate identifying as transgender.
Despite these tensions, Moulton still opposed a Republican bill that would have barred biological males from competing in women’s sports.
As a Marine Corps vet, Moulton has been representing a deep blue district north of Boston since 2015.
Senator Markey, who would turn 86 by the end of his next term, has previously faced scrutiny regarding his age. He successfully won past elections, although he lost by a significant margin of 150,000 votes to Joe Kennedy III in a 2020 primary.
Markey’s record shows that only 1 percent of his votes aligned with then-President Trump, according to analyses. He is also noted for being the Senate’s lead sponsor of the Green New Deal, aimed at radically transforming the economy to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions within a decade.
Massachusetts is one of several states where intense Democratic primaries are underway. In Maine, for example, Governor Janet Mills, 77, must contend with younger, progressive candidates to secure her spot against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. Meanwhile, a competitive three-way primary in Michigan features established Democrats challenging progressives inspired by the rapid rise of socialist Zoran Mamdani in New York City.
