The Boston Globe editorial board on Tuesday endorsed Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) in his Senate Democratic primary challenge against incumbent Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). The endorsement stated that Moulton represents a "new vision and vigor" for the Democratic Party, which the board described as "aging, ailing, and deeply unpopular."
The editorial board noted that while Markey remains "sharp" and possesses "valuable experience," the current political climate is defined by low trust in Congress and rising dissatisfaction with incumbents. The Globe identified Moulton as a candidate capable of overhauling a party it described as divided between progressives and center-left liberals, citing his 2018 attempt to replace Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and his 2024 call for former President Biden to withdraw from the race as evidence of his willingness to challenge established leadership.
Moulton stated on social media that he was honored by the endorsement and called for a "new generation of leadership." Markey, who is 80 years old, told the board that this would be his final race and that he would retire if he determined he could no longer perform his duties. The Globe's board expressed concern regarding a candidate's ability to finish a full term at that age, though they acknowledged there was "much to like" about Markey’s record.
Recent polling shows Markey maintaining a lead in the race. A University of Massachusetts, Amherst/WCVB-TV poll released Sunday found Markey with 60 percent support compared to 32 percent for Moulton. A Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll released Tuesday showed Markey with 52 percent and Moulton with 38 percent among likely voters.
On a concrete level, the winner of this primary will influence federal policy and the distribution of resources for Massachusetts for the next six years. Voters will notice the impact through the candidate's handling of issues named by the Globe as central to the race: healthcare access, the cost of living, and the expansion of public transit. The endorsement emphasizes Moulton’s focus on these day-to-day economic and infrastructure concerns, while Markey has leaned on his long-standing experience and current sharp performance in office.
The outcome of this primary could also serve as a precedent for how the Democratic Party handles internal divisions and aging leadership. The Globe's characterization of a "rancorously divided" party suggests that the margin of victory or defeat for either candidate may signal the relative strength of different factions within the Massachusetts Democratic electorate. The next major event in the race is a televised debate scheduled for Thursday, hosted by WCVB-TV in partnership with the Globe and WBUR, where both candidates will face questions directly before the primary election occurs.