Markey leads incumbent sweep in Massachusetts

Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts secured a decisive primary win over challenger Rep. Seth Moulton on Tuesday, marking a victory for progressive Democrats who rallied behind the incumbent. Markey, who is 80 years old, defeated Moulton, a 47-year-old Democrat, across the state, with the only exception being parts of Moulton's northeast congressional district.

Moulton challenged Markey in the primary, arguing that the establishment needs to make way for a new generation of leaders. However, progressive and LGBTQ rights groups supported Markey, and no challenger to the all-Democratic Massachusetts delegation emerged victorious. Two other long-serving House members, Rep. Stephen Lynch and Rep. Richard Neal, also secured their nominations, both of whom ran to the left of their Democratic colleagues, claiming they were ineffective and compromised by campaign money.

Moulton's campaign focused on transgender rights, specifically the issue of transgender girls competing in girls' sports. While Markey introduced the Trans Bill of Rights resolution in 2025 to ban discrimination based on gender identity, Moulton later apologized for his November 2024 remarks and Markey's steadfast support for trans rights became a key part of his re-election argument.