Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Massachusetts officials are pursuing state-level artificial intelligence regulation even as they try to position the state as an AI industry hub. U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, who co-sponsors the federal FRONTIER Act with Rep. Jay Obernolte, said the bill is stalled while Congress is in recess, prompting state lawmakers to act on their own. State Sen. Barry Finegold is backing legislation targeting transparency requirements for "frontier AI labs" like OpenAI, Google and Meta, while Gov. Maura Healey wants AI safety provisions included in the state's Mass Wins economic development bill.

Both Trahan and Finegold argue that regulation and economic growth are not mutually exclusive, and cite growing public anxiety over AI safety, including departures of safety researchers from firms like OpenAI and Anthropic. Trahan and Healey say federal action is preferable but unlikely soon, especially with President Donald Trump dismissing AI oversight efforts as a "conspiracy" and opposing calls from industry figures for stronger government regulation.

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.