Massachusetts Senate Primary: Markey and Moulton Clash

In what has evolved into one of the most combative election battles between rival Democrats, Massachusetts U.S Senator Ed Markey and Rep. Seth Moulton have begun to hurl everything but the kitchen sink at each other in their quest to take on Republican John Deaton for Markey's Senate seat in the November 3, 2026, general election.

One man will survive the September 1, 2026 Democratic Primary while the other looks at retirement.

Fighting for the Progressive Crown

In the second of three scheduled debates, Markey suggested that Moulton has been profiting from donations made by defense contractors, while Moulton asserted that Markey had connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Both men denied the allegations hurled at them.

Markey, who turned 80 in July, and Moulton, who is 47, actually argued over who is the most progressive.

Massachusetts Senate Democrats Battle For Title Of Most Progressive — Getty Images

Public Broadcasting Station WBUR reported, "When asked by the moderators, both candidates claimed the mantle of 'progressive Democrat.'"

The station said Moulton claimed to have put forward "one of the most progressive affordability agendas of anybody in Congress today."

"Housing, healthcare, and education are just human rights," Moulton said.

Markey fired back, claiming he is more progressive than Moulton. "And it's because I support Medicare for All," he said. Markey cited his support of universal healthcare, the New Green Deal, and raising taxes on billionaires as further proof of his progressive street cred.

Markey has called for civil disobedience and sit-ins to protest ICE, so there's that.

If that weren't enough, Markey noted his endorsements from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley.

The Final Stretch to Primary Day

Democratic political analyst Mary Anne Marsh told Boston's WCVB-TV that Moulton won the debate in what it believed to be an extremely tight race. "With 28 days to go and one more debate on August 20 on WCVB, the next 28 days are going to be a doozy," Marsh said.

Markey, noted for driving an ice cream truck before entering politics, was first elected to the U.S House in 1975, when I was but a senior at New Bedford High School.