In the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary set for Tuesday, incumbent Senator Edward J. Markey faces a challenge from Representative Seth Moulton in a contest that defies typical generational and ideological expectations seen in other races this year. The race pits Markey, 80, a longtime progressive incumbent, against Moulton, 47, who campaigns on a message of generational change but positions himself to the right of Markey on key issues.
Markey, who has represented Massachusetts in Congress since 1976 and moved from the House to the Senate in 2013, has the backing of younger progressive Democrats, including Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley. Moulton, a former Marine and four-term congressman, has secured endorsements from centrist figures such as New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and Representative Pat Ryan of New York. His campaign has also been supported by VoteVets, a group aligned with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has not officially endorsed in the race.
The contest reflects a broader trend among Democratic primaries in 2024, where younger challengers have unseated older incumbents. However, Moulton’s campaign stands out by emphasizing generational change without a strong progressive policy agenda, focusing more on competency and effectiveness. He has downplayed differences with Markey on issues like health care, stating in campaign materials that both want the same outcomes but that the old approach is no longer sufficient.
A significant point of contention in the race has been transgender rights. Markey has become a prominent advocate for transgender protections, while Moulton drew criticism in 2024 for comments expressing concern about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Moulton has apologized if his remarks caused pain but defended the substance of his position. Markey has used this issue to highlight his progressive credentials.
Polls indicate Markey leading by a wide margin, though some experts caution that recent surveys may overstate the strength of progressive candidates in similar contests nationwide. Markey’s experience includes fending off a notable challenge six years ago from the younger Joseph P. Kennedy III by positioning himself to the left.
The primary has included some notable debate moments. Markey struggled to answer whether he had used artificial intelligence technology during a televised event, while Moulton brought up a controversial and unsubstantiated claim regarding a meeting with a lobbyist linked to Jeffrey Epstein, which was widely regarded as unfounded and damaging to his campaign. Political analysts say that episode sharply diminished Moulton’s momentum.
As the Senate race draws attention, a concurrent House contest in Boston has also emerged as a potential bellwether reflecting national Democratic trends. Representative Stephen Lynch, 71, faces a progressive challenge from 39-year-old lawyer Patrick Roath in a district reshaped by demographic and political change.
Despite trailing in the polls, Moulton remains optimistic that calls for new leadership can resonate with voters. Markey, meanwhile, continues to solidify his progressive coalition, recently appearing alongside Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren at a rally billed as a gathering of leading left-wing voices in Boston. Both candidates underscore the contest as a choice between generational change and ideological direction in one of the nation’s most Democratic states.