Roath

Sen. Ed Markey, 80, has defeated Rep. Seth Moulton, 47, in Massachusetts' Democratic Senate primary, turning back a generational-change challenge to secure his party's nomination for a third full term. Moulton, a Marine veteran and moderate, argued Markey's decades in Washington hadn't delivered results, while Markey rallied progressives by citing his 2022 climate legislation and backing from Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Moulton also faced criticism over 2024 remarks on transgender athletes, which he apologized for; in his concession speech he pledged to support Markey and said his campaign had started necessary conversations. Markey, who beat Joe Kennedy III in 2020, now advances as the favorite against Republican John Deaton, who was unopposed in his primary and previously lost to Warren by about 20 points, and Markey says he won't seek a fourth term if reelected.

Similar generational contests played out down-ballot: Rep. Stephen Lynch, 71, defeated attorney Patrick Roath, 39, in the 8th District, and Rep. Richard Neal, 77, defeated progressive teacher Jeromie Whalen, 39, in the 1st District, with older incumbents prevailing in both races. A crowded six-way race also continues to replace Moulton in the 6th District, led by Dan Koh and state Rep. Tram Nguyen. Because Massachusetts leans heavily Democratic, these primaries effectively decide the general election winners in November.

Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, 80, won the Democratic primary Tuesday over U.S. Representative Seth Moulton, 47, who had campaigned on generational change. Markey, in Congress for nearly 50 years, drew support from progressive leaders including Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Elizabeth Warren, along with most of the state's congressional delegation. Moulton, a moderate Marine Corps veteran, was backed by New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, VoteVets, and The Boston Globe's editorial board, which praised his "proven leadership." Markey held a fundraising edge of nearly $2 million and led by double digits in polling. He is heavily favored in November in a state Kamala Harris won by nearly 25 points in 2024.

A similar generational contest is unfolding in Boston's 8th District, where moderate Representative Stephen Lynch, 71, faces progressive challenger Patrick Roath, 39, who has outraised Lynch and narrowed his polling lead. Democrats hold all Massachusetts House and Senate seats, and this year's primary winners will be strongly favored in the general election.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren visited Pittsfield to promote the "21st Century Road to Housing Act," a bipartisan housing reform bill she co-sponsored with Sen. Tim Scott that became law without President Trump's signature after he demanded passage of a separate voter ID measure, the SAVE America Act, first. Warren said the housing law includes nearly 50 provisions aimed at boosting housing supply and, notably, bars private equity firms from buying up single-family homes.

Warren also addressed reports of CIA involvement in strikes on suspected drug boats near the Galapagos Islands, calling for a congressional investigation, and criticized the Pentagon's handling of conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. She framed the 2026 midterms as a check on Trump, urging Democratic turnout to guard against election interference.

The visit coincided with other Massachusetts political developments: a new poll showing Democratic primary challenger Patrick Roath narrowing the gap against Rep. Stephen Lynch in the 8th District, and a congressional inspection of an ICE detention facility in Plymouth County by Reps. Jim McGovern, Lynch and Ayanna Pressley.