Posted September 3, 2026 | by KimS | in 2026 Elections, DemDaily, Democratic National Committee, Democratic Party, Elections Calendar, Gubernatorial, House, Senate

DemDaily: It is Still Markey’s Massachusetts

September 2, 2026

Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey was renominated for a third full term Tuesday, soundly defending his seat, 65%-35%, against primary challenger and moderate six-term Sixth District Congressman Seth Moulton, 47.

In the true-blue Bay State, which awarded Kamala Harris a 25-percentage-point victory over Donald Trump in 2024, the 80-year-old incumbent defied the odds in an election cycle that has otherwise thematically pitted older establishment Democrats against younger and more progressive primary challengers.

Few members of Congress, however, can match Markey's progressive credentials, with a roughly 99% voting record with the Democratic Party's left flank on climate, healthcare, campaign finance, labor rights, fair taxation, and checks on corporate power. He is also co-author of the Green New Deal resolution with New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 39, a nationally recognized progressive leader and supporter.

Markey, who consistently ranks among the upper chamber's 10 most popular senators of either party, was last re-elected in 2020 by 11% after fending off another generational primary challenge from four-term Congressman Joseph Kennedy III -- 35 years his junior.

Markey is expected to sail to victory against attorney, crypto millionaire and Marine veteran John Deaton, who was unopposed in the Republican primary. Deaton was the 2024 GOP nominee against Massachusetts US Senator Elizabeth Warren, losing by 20 points.

Governor
Incumbent Governor Maura Healey, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, faces former CEO of medical device company Abiomed Mike Minogue, who won the Republican primary 76%-24% over more moderate former Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Chief Brian Shortsleeve.

Lieutenant Governor Incumbent Democrat Kimberley Driscoll, who was uncontested in the primary, faces Republican nominee New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver.

US House Highlights
Massachusetts has nine seats in the US House of Representatives -- all currently held by Democrats -- making it one of the most solidly Democratic delegations in the country. Massachusetts hasn't sent a Republican to the US House since Peter Torkildsen in 1996.

The delegation's two senior members, like Markey, also bucked the generational and ideological challenges indicative of this year's primaries.

First Congressional District: Nineteen-term Congressman Richard Neal, 77, fended off a primary challenge from the left by 39-year-old high school teacher Jeromie Whalen, 54%-46%. As no candidates filed for the Republican nomination, Neal faces only two minor Independent candidates in the general election.

Sixth Congressional District: In the crowded primary to succeed Moulton, former Biden Deputy Cabinet Secretary Dan Koh prevailed with 41%, splitting the progressive vote with State Representative Tram Nguyen, who secured 29.5%, and two other left-leaning contenders. In total, four candidates trailed the two frontrunners, coming in under 13%.

Koh, 41, who also served as chief of staff to former Boston Mayor and Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, faces former securities lawyer and decorated Army veteran Micah (Quinney) Jones, who was uncontested for the Republican nomination in the heavily Democratic North Shore District.

Eighth Congressional District: Thirteen-term Democratic Congressman Stephen Lynch, 71, successfully defended his seat 55.7%-44.3% against Patrick Roath, 39, an attorney and past aide to former Governor Deval Patrick.

In the general election, in the reliably blue South Boston CD, Lynch faces Republican nominee and videographer Robert Gerald Burke in a rematch of their 2024 race, which Lynch won by 40-percentage-points.

Related
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