80-Year-Old Sen. Ed Markey Holds Off Younger Challenger in Democratic Primary

Sen.

Ed Markey addresses his supporters during a "Power to the People" rally at the IBEW Local 103 facility in Boston, Massachusetts, on Aug.

29, 2026. —Craig F.

Walker—The Boston Globe/Getty Images Sen.

Ed Markey of Massachusetts won the Democratic primary race for his seat on Tuesday, fending off a challenge from the decades-younger Rep.

Seth Moulton as he seeks another six-year term in the upper chamber.

The Associated Press called the race at around 8:31 p.m.

ET.

As of early Wednesday morning, with around 96% of the ballots counted, Markey had 64.9% of the vote to Moulton's 35.1%.

“Massachusetts needs a Senator who stands up and fights back, a Senator who never forgets who they are fighting for,” Markey told the crowd during his victory speech.

“That has been the mission of my life, and it always will be.” A "generational showdown" Tuesday’s primary was considered by many to be a “generational showdown” between Markey, 80, and Moulton, 47.

During the campaign, Moulton contended that it was time for change in the state's political representation.

“Massachusetts has a choice: settle for the status quo, or demand better,” he said in a social media post Tuesday morning.

The young moderate rose in the polls earlier this year, narrowing the gap between himself and the two-term incumbent.