In an election cycle marked by challenges to established lawmakers, 80-year-old Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey is seeking to retain his seat by emphasizing progressive policies, even as a significant portion of voters express doubts about his physical and mental capacity to serve a full term.
Markey, a Democrat first elected to the House in 1976 and to the Senate in 2013, is facing a primary challenge from Rep. Seth Moulton, 47. Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran and centrist Democrat, has made Markey's age a central theme of his campaign, arguing that the party needs to embrace new leadership.
A recent University of New Hampshire poll indicates that while Markey holds a double-digit lead over Moulton, age is a significant factor for voters. The poll revealed that 58% of Moulton's supporters are backing him due to concerns about Markey's age, compared to 27% of Markey's voters who cite his politics or ideology. Worryingly for the incumbent, 43% of respondents believe Markey would "probably not" or "definitely not" be mentally and physically capable of serving out a six-year term. Thirty-four percent believe he would be capable, with 23% undecided.
Despite these concerns, Markey's campaign highlights his alignment with progressive causes. He partnered with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the Green New Deal in 2019 and advocates for Medicare for All, policies that resonate with the left wing of the Democratic Party. Markey has sought to project vigor on the campaign trail, recently appearing at events with other prominent progressive figures, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley.
This election cycle has seen other instances of age becoming a focal point in politics. Senator Mitch McConnell, 84, was hospitalized for nearly two months, and Representative John Larson, 78, lost his primary election to a younger challenger. Moulton, who previously ran for president in 2019, has positioned himself as a more moderate alternative, urging Democrats to "fight Trump harder."