Markey-Moulton Mass. primary race remains tight
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Sen. Ed Markey's edge over Rep. Seth Moulton in the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary remains very narrow.
- That's according to a new UNH Survey Center poll of 709 Massachusetts residents conducted June 18-23.
Why it matters: It's a very tight race as Moulton launches new TV ads before the Sept. 1 primary.
- The vote will likely decide whether Mass. will stick with veteran progressive Markey, 79, in the Senate, or shift to the younger Moulton, 47.
By the numbers: The poll found Markey leading 41%-35% among likely Democratic primary voters, down from a 46%-33% spread from the same pollster in April. Undecided voters jumped from 15% to 23%.
- An Emerson College poll in May found a five-point gap between them.
- The poll had a margin of error of 5.1% for likely Democratic state primary voters.
Between the lines: The race splits along Democratic ideological lines. Markey dominates with self-professed socialists and progressives, while Moulton leads among moderates and unenrolled voters.
The other side: Both candidates beat likely GOP nominee John Deaton in general-election matchups, but Moulton would perform better with independents and pulls more Republican crossover support, per the poll.
What's next: Mouton and Markey will face each other in two debates in August.
The bottom line: Markey remains the favorite, but the tightening race and rising undecided bloc should give Moulton hope heading into the fall primary.