U.S. Sen. Ed Markey will get a shot at a third full term after winning Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Massachusetts. Markey, 80, defeated U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, who made generational change a central part of his campaign, arguing it was time for new leadership in Washington.
Markey has been a fixture in Massachusetts politics since the 1970s and was first elected to the Senate in 2013 after nearly four decades in the House.
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Markey lays out priorities, Moulton concedes
In his victory speech, Markey called for passing his transgender bill of rights, abolishing ICE and ending the war in Iran. He also called for President Donald Trump’s impeachment.
“We need to submit a progressive Democratic majority, one that will use its political capital to take on the bosses, the billionaires, and the wannabe kings,” Markey said. “And after we win, we will remove Donald Trump from the White House, restore and rebuild and expand our vision for a democracy and an economy that works for every single person.”
Moulton conceded Tuesday night and said he would support Markey in November.
“Challenging the establishment and calling for a new generation of leadership isn’t easy, but it is necessary,” Moulton said. “We started conversations that needed to happen, and I will never stop pushing the Democratic Party and our country to look toward the future.”
Markey will face Republican John Deaton in November.
Lynch defeats Roath
Markey wasn’t the only longtime Massachusetts Democrat to turn back a younger challenger.
U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, 71, won renomination over 39-year-old attorney Patrick Roath — a former aide to former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Lynch and Roath clashed over several issues during the campaign, including immigration, healthcare and housing.
Lynch will run against retired telecommunications worker and small businessman Robert Burke in November.
Longtime Democratic Rep. Richard Neal also won renomination, defeating public school teacher Jeromie Whalen.
Alaska finalizes four Senate candidates
Alaska’s Division of Elections has also finalized the four Senate candidates who will appear on the November ballot.
Elections officials say the race will include two Republican candidates named Dan Sullivan, fellow Republican Gerald Heikes and Democrat Mary Peltola. Peltola finished first in Alaska’s all-party primary, where the top four finishers advance to the general election.
Democrat David Leslie finished fourth but withdrew from the race Monday, giving fifth-place finisher Heikes to advance to the November ballot.