Markey and Moulton Face Off in Massachusetts Senate Primary

BOSTON, Massachusetts —

Massachusetts voters went to the polls Tuesday to settle a Democratic Senate primary pitting Sen. Ed Markey against Rep. Seth Moulton, along with a slate of down ballot races that will shape the state's congressional delegation and two county prosecutor offices, CBS News reported. Polls were open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and voters could find their polling places on the secretary of state's website, according to CBS News.

A Generational Fight for Senate

Markey, 80, is seeking a third full term after first winning his Senate seat in 2013. He has served in Congress since 1976 and built a national profile as a champion of progressive priorities like the Green New Deal, CBS News reported. He has said he feels as energized as ever but has pledged this would be his final term if reelected, according to CBS News. Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, both independents or Democrats aligned with the party's progressive wing, are backing Markey, The Hill reported.

Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran first elected to represent the state's 6th Congressional District in 2014, has cast the race as a chance for generational change, telling voters it's time for "a new generation of leadership," according to The Hill. He ran for president in 2020 and led an unsuccessful effort to block Nancy Pelosi from becoming House speaker in 2018, CBS News reported. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is among his backers, according to The Hill. On NBC's "Meet the Press NOW," Moulton said he shares Markey's progressive values but argued "we need some fresh thinking" in Congress, according to NBC News Politics. CBS News reported the two candidates have few policy differences.

The primary winner will face Republican John Deaton, the party's 2024 Senate nominee, in November. The Hill reported the seat is expected to stay in Democratic hands regardless of the outcome.

Governor, House and Prosecutor Races Also on the Ballot

With Moulton vacating his House seat, six Democrats are competing for the 6th District nomination: Bethany Andres-Beck, John Beccia, Jamie Belsito, Dan Koh, Mariah Lancaster and Tram Nguyen, according to CBS News. In the 8th District, longtime Rep. Stephen Lynch faces attorney Patrick Roath, whose campaign has spent more than $1 million trying to unseat him, CBS News reported.

On the Republican side, businessman Mike Minogue, who won the party's endorsement in April, is running against former MBTA chief Brian Shortsleeve for the gubernatorial nomination. The winner will challenge Democratic Gov. Maura Healey in November, according to CBS News.

In Norfolk County, seven Democrats are seeking to replace District Attorney Michael Morrissey, who is not seeking reelection after 16 years, with the Karen Read trials and the investigation into Sandra Birchmore's death as key issues, CBS News reported. In Suffolk County, Rachael Rollins is trying to reclaim the district attorney post she resigned in 2023 amid an ethics investigation, challenging incumbent Kevin Hayden, according to CBS News.