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Markey wins Massachusetts Senate primary
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Senator Ed Markey, 80, defeated Rep. Seth Moulton, 47, in the Massachusetts Democratic primary. The win shows progressives can beat generational-change challenges, favoring Markey in November.
Background
Markey, an 80-year-old progressive senator, faced a primary challenge from 47-year-old Rep. Seth Moulton, who argued it was time for younger leadership. The race highlighted tensions within the Democratic Party over age and ideology, especially after concerns about older leaders like Joe Biden. Markey's victory, backed by progressives like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, signals that ideology can outweigh age concerns for Democratic voters.
How it unfolded
- May 2026Emerson College poll showed Markey leading Moulton by only 5 points (37% to 32%).
- Jul 2026Markey debated Moulton, saying he was 'more energized than ever' to fight Donald Trump.
- Aug 30, 2026Final Emerson poll showed Markey with a commanding 60% to 33% lead.
- Sep 1, 2026Markey won the primary by a large margin, with NBC News projecting victory with nearly 50-point lead.
Who’s saying what
- Support
- Markey's supporters praised his progressive record and endorsements from leading progressives, seeing his win as a victory for the party's left wing.
- Caution
- Moulton and his backers argued that the party needed younger leadership, pointing to Markey's age as a liability in a changing political landscape.