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Ed Markey Defeats Seth Moulton in Massachusetts Senate Primary

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Senator Edward J. Markey, 80, won the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday, defeating Representative Seth Moulton, 47, a moderate Democrat who ran on a message of generational change. Markey, the state's oldest sitting senator, secured victory with a progressive platform and support from younger left-wing leaders including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The win positions Markey as the overwhelming favorite in the November general election. During the campaign, Moulton highlighted Markey's admission of not knowing if he uses artificial intelligence, arguing it showed he was out of touch. However, Markey emphasized his progressive credentials, particularly on transgender rights, contrasting with Moulton's more cautious stance.

Moulton will endorse Markey and urge Democratic unity heading into the midterms. In the general election, Markey faces Republican John Deaton, who ran unopposed in his primary and lost to Elizabeth Warren in 2024. Massachusetts remains one of the bluest states in federal elections, having been the only state won by George McGovern in 1972.