WORCESTER, Mass. — Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton achieved a crucial milestone Saturday, earning sufficient delegate backing to qualify for the primary ballot in his challenge against sitting U.S. Senator Ed Markey in the upcoming Senate contest.
Despite Moulton’s success in meeting the ballot threshold, Markey claimed the Democratic Party’s official endorsement by capturing more than half of the delegation’s votes.
“You have a choice, you have to decide what the future looks like and what you’re going to demand,” Markey told an audience of over 4,000 delegates on Saturday.
The incumbent senator captured approximately 73% of delegate backing, while Moulton received roughly 27%. State Democratic Party regulations mandate that candidates for statewide office must obtain at least 15% of delegate support to qualify for primary ballots.
In the heavily blue state of Massachusetts, this Senate primary battle has drawn national attention as the 47-year-old Moulton has built his campaign around calls for changing established patterns and pushing for younger leadership.
Should Markey win reelection, he would reach age 80 before starting his third six-year Senate term. Although Markey has highlighted his energy and progressive stance, concerns about age continue to follow Democratic candidates as the party works to regain Congressional control.
During his nomination address, Moulton contended that Democrats required more than “incremental change” and needed fresh beginnings.
“It’s time for the generation that grew up with the internet, and will have to live for decades with AI, to lead our way through it,” Moulton declared.
The congressman made only brief references to his rival during his speech, mentioning the need to avoid waiting another six years for leadership transition and later urging Markey to agree to multiple debates ahead of the September primary. The candidates have currently committed to participating in a single debate this summer.
Markey adopted a more confrontational strategy, criticizing Moulton’s past statements regarding transgender youth and his acceptance of corporate PAC funding.
“Massachusetts deserves better than a senator who scapegoats trans kids,” Markey stated to enthusiastic applause.
In 2024, Moulton faced criticism from party colleagues after stating he wouldn’t want his daughters competing in sports against transgender girls. Opponents argued Moulton was repeating Trump’s positions on transgender athlete participation in girls’ and women’s athletics.
Moulton later clarified that his statement “was to point out that, as a party, we need to be willing to have difficult conversations.”
The congressman, who joined the Marines following the September 11, 2001, attacks and completed four combat deployments in Iraq, first won his House seat in 2014. He mounted a brief presidential campaign in 2020 before ending it after several months.
Markey represented Massachusetts in the House for almost four decades before capturing his Senate position in 2013. He successfully defended against a 2020 primary challenge from Rep. Joe Kennedy III by mobilizing progressive supporters to defeat the younger candidate from one of America’s most prominent political dynasties.
The Massachusetts primary election is scheduled for Sept. 1.
