Bristol

David Barboza, a former Bristol, Rhode Island town councilor, was found dead by suicide at his Constitution Street home last weekend at age 71. Barboza had a long record of civic service, having worked as a police officer, volunteer firefighter, Democratic Town Committee member, and administrator at St. Mary's Church, and was named chief marshal of Bristol's Fourth of July Parade in 2014.

Barboza had also faced allegations of sexual abuse from multiple boys and men dating back to the 1970s. The accusations were first reported in 2019 by Boston Globe Rhode Island journalist Amanda Milkovits. Following news of his death, Milkovits discussed how the men who say they were victimized by Barboza have reacted. Police have confirmed the cause of death as suicide.

Massachusetts voters headed to the polls Tuesday in a primary highlighted by a competitive Democratic Senate contest between incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, 80, and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, 47. The race reverses a familiar dynamic in this year's Democratic primaries, with progressives Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez backing the incumbent over the more moderate challenger. Markey held a large fundraising advantage and led recent polls by double digits; Moulton, a Marine veteran and 2020 presidential candidate, drew support from The Boston Globe's editorial board, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, and VoteVets. Moulton has also faced scrutiny over past comments on transgender athletes, which he has since apologized for. The primary winner will face Republican John Deaton in November.

Similar generational clashes played out down-ballot: progressive attorney Patrick Roath, who has spent more than $1 million on his campaign, challenged longtime Rep. Stephen Lynch in the 8th District, while a crowded six-way Democratic field, including Dan Koh and Tram Nguyen, competed to succeed Moulton in the 6th District. Other notable races include a Republican gubernatorial primary between Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve, and contested district attorney races in Norfolk and Suffolk counties. Given the state's heavy Democratic lean, primary winners are strongly favored in November, with results shaping the competitive landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms.