In a Massachusetts Democratic primary, 80-year-old Senator Ed Markey is defending his progressive record against 47-year-old Representative Seth Moulton, who is campaigning on generational change and critiques of the Democratic establishment.
Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran, argues that Markey's age poses a risk to Senate Democrats, citing potential medical emergencies in a closely divided chamber. "If Democrats win the Senate, it will almost certainly be by one vote, and we can’t afford to lose that vote due to a medical absence or emergency," Moulton stated. He has also criticized Democratic leadership, including his intention to vote against Chuck Schumer for party leader if elected to the Senate. Moulton's critiques extend to the party's handling of issues like immigration and inflation, and he has previously drawn backlash for comments regarding transgender athletes.
Markey, who has served in Congress for 50 years, counters by emphasizing his progressive bona fides, including his work on the Green New Deal and support for causes like Medicare-for-all. He has accused Moulton of alienating progressive voters, particularly by criticizing the stance on transgender youth. "After the 2024 election, Congressman Moulton decided that he was gonna throw trans kids under the bus — the political bus — and blame them for the loss of the 2024 election," Markey said. Markey's campaign manager, Cam Charbonnier, suggests Moulton is attempting to appeal to both moderate and progressive voters without a consistent track record.
Historically, the prototypical Democrat vulnerable in a primary has been an older incumbent challenged from the left. However, this race flips that script, with progressives like Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren rallying to support Markey. The outcome is seen as a test of whether Democratic primary voters prioritize progressive ideology or are more focused on replacing long-serving incumbents, regardless of their ideological alignment.
Moulton's challenge to the establishment is not new. In 2018, he unsuccessfully sought to prevent Nancy Pelosi from becoming Speaker, arguing for new leadership. He also became one of the first prominent Democrats to withdraw support from President Joe Biden after a debate performance, calling for new leaders to emerge. Moulton's early political victories include unseating long-time incumbent Rep. John Tierney in 2014, presenting himself as a fresh face against a scandal-plagued politician.
Markey's team highlights his long record on issues such as climate change and same-sex marriage, tracing his commitment back to the 1980s and 1990s. He has previously won tough primaries, notably against Rep. Stephen Lynch and later against then-Rep. Joe Kennedy III. In the contest against Kennedy, Markey, initially trailing in polls, mobilized progressive support, securing an 11-point victory.
Recent sparse polling suggests a close race, with Markey holding narrow leads of 5 and 6 points in the last two surveys, and a significant number of undecided voters. The effectiveness of recent ad campaigns, including one for Markey featuring Sanders and Warren, may influence the final outcome. A Moulton victory or a close showing could signal broader Democratic base frustration with older politicians, while a decisive Markey win might indicate the perils for challengers who break with progressive endorsements.