Ed Markey defeats Seth Moulton, turns back push for generational change


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U.S. Sen. Ed Markey will get a shot at a third full term after winning Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Massachusetts. Markey, 80, defeated U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, who made generational change a central part of his campaign, arguing it was time for new leadership in Washington.

Markey has been a fixture in Massachusetts politics since the 1970s and was first elected to the Senate in 2013 after nearly four decades in the House.

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Markey lays out priorities, Moulton concedes

In his victory speech, Markey called for passing his transgender bill of rights, abolishing ICE and ending the war in Iran. He also called for President Donald Trump’s impeachment.

“We need to submit a progressive Democratic majority, one that will use its political capital to take on the bosses, the billionaires, and the wannabe kings,” Markey said. “And after we win, we will remove Donald Trump from the White House, restore and rebuild and expand our vision for a democracy and an economy that works for every single person.”

Moulton conceded Tuesday night and said he would support Markey in November.

“Challenging the establishment and calling for a new generation of leadership isn’t easy, but it is necessary,” Moulton said. “We started conversations that needed to happen, and I will never stop pushing the Democratic Party and our country to look toward the future.”

Rep. Seth Moulton speaks after losing the Democratic nomination during a primary election night event Tuesday Sept. 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Reba Saldanha)

Markey will face Republican John Deaton in November.

Lynch defeats Roath

Markey wasn’t the only longtime Massachusetts Democrat to turn back a younger challenger.

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, 71, won renomination over 39-year-old attorney Patrick Roath — a former aide to former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Lynch and Roath clashed over several issues during the campaign, including immigration, healthcare and housing.

Samuel Corum/Sipa USA, AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Lynch will run against retired telecommunications worker and small businessman Robert Burke in November.

Longtime Democratic Rep. Richard Neal also won renomination, defeating public school teacher Jeromie Whalen.

Alaska finalizes four Senate candidates

Alaska’s Division of Elections has also finalized the four Senate candidates who will appear on the November ballot.

Elections officials say the race will include two Republican candidates named Dan Sullivan, fellow Republican Gerald Heikes and Democrat Mary Peltola. Peltola finished first in Alaska’s all-party primary, where the top four finishers advance to the general election.

Democrat David Leslie finished fourth but withdrew from the race Monday, giving fifth-place finisher Heikes to advance to the November ballot.

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Center-rated reporting

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Why this story matters

Tuesday's primary results in Massachusetts set the November ballot matchups that will determine U.S. Senate and House representation for millions of Americans.

Massachusetts Senate race set

Massachusetts voters will choose in November between incumbent Sen. Ed Markey and Republican John Deaton, determining who holds that Senate seat.

Alaska ballot finalized

Alaska's November Senate race will feature two candidates named Dan Sullivan, Gerald Heikes and Mary Peltola after a fifth-place finisher was elevated following a withdrawal.

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Fear No Fact.

Don't just take our word for it.


Center-rated reporting

According to media bias experts at AllSides

AllSides Center-rated reporting May 2026

Transparent and credible

Awarded a perfect reliability rating from NewsGuard

100/100

Welcome back to trustworthy journalism.

Find out more

Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left frame Markey’s win as a decisive “fought off” defense of the “progressive wing,” suggesting voters prioritized his record over age.
  • Not enough unique coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
  • Media outlets on the right recast it as an “old guard” victory, using “geriatric,” “progressive,” and “humiliating loss” to stress Democratic entrenchment and ideological vulnerability, including the Green New Deal and transgender-rights positions.

Media landscape

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144 total sources

Key points from the Left

  • Democratic Senator Ed Markey won the Massachusetts primary against Representative Seth Moulton, securing nearly 50% of the vote early in the count.
  • Markey emphasized his progressive credentials, including coauthoring the Green New Deal and supporting Medicare for All,.
  • Moulton campaigned on generational change and criticized the status quo but faced criticism for controversial remarks about transgender athletes,.
  • Other longtime Democratic incumbents in Massachusetts faced younger primary challengers, reflecting a broader trend of generational contests within the party this cycle,.

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Key points from the Center

  • NBC News projected on Wednesday that Democratic Sen. Ed Markey defeated Rep. Seth Moulton in the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary, marking a significant victory for the party's progressive wing.
  • Despite Moulton and his allies outspending the incumbent $7.1 million to $3.9 million on ads according to AdImpact, Markey secured the nomination by emphasizing his progressive record and liberal credentials.
  • Commonwealth Together PAC targeted Moulton for his past opposition to Medicare and taxing billionaires, citing 2019 comments from his unsuccessful presidential campaign. Markey secured endorsements from progressive leaders including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
  • At an election-eve rally, Markey criticized Moulton for comments regarding transgender issues, claiming he "threw trans kids under the bus" after the 2024 election. Moulton had previously apologized to "anyone hurt by those comments."
  • First elected to the Senate in 2013 after serving nearly 40 years in the House, Markey framed the race as a fight against President Donald Trump, underscoring the resilience of established progressive incumbents against generational challengers.

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Key points from the Right

  • Senator Ed Markey, 80, won the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary against Representative Seth Moulton, 47, securing the nomination for a third term.
  • Moulton campaigned for generational change and criticized the Democratic status quo, while Markey emphasized his progressive record and questioned Moulton's moderate positions.
  • Markey highlighted his climate legislation and support for progressive policies, receiving strong endorsements from progressive leaders.
  • The primary win solidifies Markey's position in heavily Democratic Massachusetts, where primary winners are very likely to win the general election.

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