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Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary results

Updated 12 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-02 11:53 UTC → 2026-09-02 21:48 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In the September 1, 2026, Democratic primary election, incumbent Senator Ed Markey, 80, secured a decisive victory to advance to the general election. Markey defeated U.S. Representative Seth Moulton, 47, with approximately ~~64.9%~~ 64% to 65% of the ~~vote to Moulton’s 35.1%.~~ vote. The contest served as a significant ideological and generational ~~clash within the Massachusetts Democratic Party.~~ clash. Moulton had campaigned on the necessity of new leadership, specifically criticizing Markey’s grasp of modern technology and artificial intelligence. Markey, supported by progressive leaders like Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, successfully defended his record on climate change and healthcare. ~~He also countered Moulton’s moderate stance by criticizing his positions~~ A central theme of the race was the divide over transgender rights. Markey, a long-time progressive, campaigned on ~~issues such as Medicare~~ his support for ~~All and~~ transgender ~~rights.~~ athletes and his authorship of a Transgender Bill of Rights. He used Moulton’s previous comments regarding biological sex in women’s sports to argue that Moulton was out of touch with the state’s progressive electorate. Markey’s win was ~~noted as~~ part of a broader trend in Massachusetts where veteran Democratic incumbents successfully defended their ~~seats against younger or progressive challengers.~~ seats. Similar victories were seen in U.S. House races, including Representative Stephen Lynch, 71, defeating Patrick Roath in the 8th District, and Representative Richard Neal, 77, defeating Jeromie Whalen in the 1st District. Following this primary win, Markey is set to face Republican candidate John Deaton in the November general election. Given Massachusetts' status as a Democratic stronghold, Markey is widely expected to secure a third full term in the Senate.

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