Politics
Incumbent Senator Ed Markey faces primary challenge from Seth Moulton in Massachusetts
Voters head to the polls on Tuesday to decide key Democratic primaries, including a high-stakes U.S. Senate matchup.
The short version
- U.S. Senator Ed Markey faces a primary challenge from U.S. Representative Seth Moulton for the Democratic nomination in Massachusetts.
- The primary highlights an ongoing dynamic between the progressive and moderate wings of the Democratic Party, with high-profile progressives backing the incumbent.
- Polls close at 8 p.m. ET, and approximately 468,000 ballots had already been cast ahead of Tuesday's voting.
Key facts
- Incumbent U.S. Senator Ed Markey, seeking a third full term at age 80, is facing a challenge from 47-year-old U.S. Representative Seth Moulton.[Associated Press]
- Markey has raised and spent over $8 million during the campaign, while Moulton has raised and spent over $6 million.[Associated Press]
- Markey is backed by prominent progressive figures, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, while Moulton is endorsed by The Boston Globe and several Democratic House colleagues.[Associated Press]
- In the race for the 6th Congressional District to succeed Moulton, former White House aide Dan Koh leads the six-candidate field in fundraising with approximately $4.7 million in contributions.[Associated Press]
- As of Thursday before the primary, about 468,000 early and mail-in ballots had already been submitted, including 390,000 from Democrats and 78,000 from Republicans.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- It is uncertain whether Moulton can successfully win over the Boston-area suburbs and eastern counties that previously propelled Markey to victory in his 2020 primary challenge.[Associated Press]