Moulton says Sen. Markey, 80, is too old for another term. Young Massachusetts Democrats are divided

In the race to determine Massachusetts' next U.S. Senator, the age of incumbent Ed Markey, 80, has become a contentious issue. Markey's response to a question about his use of AI platforms like Claude and ChatGPT during a recent debate was met with skepticism. He claimed to rely on "whatever is inside of my iPhone or my iPad — whatever comes up" and admitted he was unsure about the companies his iPad may be using.

This response has fueled concerns among younger Democrats that Markey, who would be 86 by the end of another term, is too antiquated to represent the current generation.

Arsen Bagdassarian, an 18-year-old supporter of Seth Moulton, Markey's 47-year-old rival, echoed these concerns. Bagdassarian, an incoming freshman at Northeastern University, noted that the AI topic highlighted Markey's apparent lack of awareness about the modern world. He argued that the country needs leaders who comprehend the regulations needed in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

The 2026 midterms have seen a surge of generational challenges, with young Democrats challenging long-standing incumbents, including Markey. While there appears to be a consensus among Democratic voters, especially the young ones, that change is needed, opinions are divided on whether age is the primary concern. Markey enjoys significant support from younger Democrats, some of whom believe the internal party debate is more about policy than age.

His endorsements from progressive figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani further underscore these sentiments.