2 hours ago - Politics

Markey turns back Moulton's challenge, setting up Deaton rematch

At 80 years old, Sen. Ed Markey held off 47-year-old Rep. Seth Moulton's primary challenge Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.

Why it matters: The win makes Markey one of the few incumbents nationally to survive a serious generational-change challenge this cycle.

Instead of an anti-incumbent upset, Massachusetts Democrats backed the older, more liberal Markey over the younger, center-left Moulton.

State of play: Markey stuck to the left flank and pitched an ideological argument against Moulton's generational one.

Moulton argued it was time for new leadership.
Pre-election polling suggested Moulton had a shot at overcoming Markey's early lead.

What's next: Markey advances to face Republican John Deaton in November's general election.

The bottom line: Massachusetts Democrats and left-leaning independents would rather have an old progressive than a generational shift.

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