In a surprising turn of events, Democratic Senator Ed Markey from Massachusetts triumphed over fellow Democrat, Congressman Seth Moulton, in a significant primary victory. This outcome is noteworthy as older incumbents typically struggle against younger challengers in recent elections.
Markey, who is 80, broke the trend by defeating the 47-year-old Moulton, who is perceived as more moderate. Markey has been known for his progressive stances, having co-sponsored the Green New Deal, shown support for Medicare for All, and garnered endorsements from prominent figures like Senator Bernie Sanders,Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Representative Ayanna Pressley. Throughout the election cycle, several progressive candidates, including Melat Kiros in Colorado, have successfully ousted long-standing incumbents.
.@EdMarkey (D-MA) calls for Trump to be impeached and for ICE to be abolished: “We need to slash the defense budget and we need to impeach Donald Trump now.” pic.twitter.com/qLZ3QB3DaN
— CSPAN (@cspan) August 29, 2026
The Democratic Socialists of America appear set to have their largest congressional contingent to date, with a notable influx of young, college-educated voters rallying behind progressive candidates.
Historically, it has been more challenging for older incumbents to fend off younger contenders in recent Democratic primaries. For instance, other representatives over the age of 70, such as Shri Thanedar, John Larson, and Adriano Espaillat, have lost to younger candidates.
Amanda Litman, founder of the Run For Something group, indicated that “Democratic voters are hungry for a new generation of leaders who can credibly argue they’ll fight for change,” which seems aligned with the current electoral atmosphere.
Moulton positioned himself as a moderate, receiving endorsements from New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, Representative Pat Ryan, and Representative Seth Magaziner. His campaign focused on affordability, interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and promoting a public healthcare option.
In contrast, Markey champions policies like allowing certain procedures for transgender minors, abolishing ICE, and advocating for universal healthcare, as described on his campaign platform.
This victory marks the second time Markey has bested a younger opponent in the primaries, as he previously defeated Joe Kennedy III in 2020. Markey has been in public office since 1973, which coincides with the Nixon presidency—five years before Moulton was born. His political career spans roles in the Massachusetts State House, the U.S. House, and now, the Senate since 2013.
Some seasoned House Democrats opted not to seek reelection amid mounting pressure, including Jerry Nadler, Steve Cohen, Lloyd Doggett, and Eleanor Holmes Norton. For example, Cohen withdrew from his campaign after facing a challenge from young state representative Justin Pearson, coinciding with redistricting changes in Tennessee.
