Markey Beats Moulton as Massachusetts Incumbents Hold Off Youth Challenges

Massachusetts voters chose continuity over generational turnover in Tuesday’s Democratic primaries. Senator Ed Markey, 80, defeated Representative Seth Moulton, 47, by roughly 30 points, while Representatives Richard Neal, 77, and Stephen F. Lynch, 71, also prevailed against younger opponents. The results left the state’s long-serving delegation intact despite a national pattern in which 11 House incumbents from both parties had already lost primaries this cycle.

Markey’s margin reflected the same dynamic that protected Neal and Lynch. Challengers argued that age and tenure required change. Voters instead backed the candidates who aligned most closely with the state’s progressive priorities. Markey secured endorsements from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders; Moulton received support from VoteVets and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill. Lynch faced Patrick Roath, 39, who outraised him yet still lost. Neal defeated public school teacher Jeromie Whalen, 39.

An open House seat produced a different outcome. Former Biden White House aide Dan Koh won the Democratic nomination for the North Shore district vacated by Moulton. Koh carried endorsements from former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He will face Republican Micah Quinney Jones in November.

Markey’s campaign repeatedly highlighted Moulton’s past comments questioning transgender girls’ participation in girls’ sports. Moulton later apologized and affirmed support for transgender rights, but the exchange helped frame Markey as the stronger progressive. Polls from Emerson College and the University of New Hampshire correctly projected Markey above 60 percent; those forecasts proved accurate on election night.

Republicans failed to nominate candidates in four of the state’s nine House districts. The party did nominate a gubernatorial candidate and will contest five House seats. Markey will face Republican John Deaton in the general election. The three incumbents who won renomination are all expected to prevail in November, preserving a delegation in which five House members and both senators will be at least 63 years old.