Rep. Seth Moulton launches Senate run against Ed Markey
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U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton. Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton has officially entered the race to unseat Sen. Ed Markey in 2026.
The big picture: With Moulton running, the race will test Massachusetts voters' willingness to elect a younger, more moderate Democrat over Ed Markey, a progressive politician who has served in Congress since 1980 and is running for his third Senate term.
- Moulton is a Marine Corps veteran and congressman representing the state's Sixth District since 2015.
Driving the views: Moulton launched his candidacy with a video, in which he bills himself as a progressive voice on health care and gun control who can offer a fresh perspective.
- Moulton, 46, also called out Markey's age and tenure in Washington: "We're in crisis, and with everything we learned last election, I just don't believe Senator Markey should be running for another six-year term at 80 years old."
- He goes on to say he doesn't believe "someone who's been in Congress for half a century is the right person to meet this moment and win the future."
Friction point: Moulton's run isn't just a challenge against a longtime politician, but a potential referendum on the direction of the Democratic Party.
- In his campaign video, Moulton blasted the Democratic Party for failing to stop President Trump's agenda, a point he made in a New York Times story last year.
- His remarks, however, sparked outrage from progressives as he suggested Democrats shouldn't focus on defending transgender athletes' ability to play in youth sports.
- Lost in that debate, he said, was his message for a broader Democratic coalition that isn't afraid to have tough conversations about sensitive topics. (Moulton later said he should have been more careful with his wording, but that his point stands).
Catch up quick: Questions about Moulton's candidacy circulated for weeks after The Boston Globe reported that he was considering a Senate run.
- The Globe, citing unidentified sources, said political figures encouraged Moulton to run because they are concerned about Markey's age.
What we're watching: Moulton and Markey may not be the only national figures vying for the Senate seat.
- Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who was first elected in 2018 in an upset victory, said as recently as last month that she hasn't ruled out running for Senate.