U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and Congressman Seth Moulton faced off in their final debate before the Sept. 1 Democratic Senate primary Thursday night, sparring over how to lower energy prices and who will stand up most forcefully against the Iran war and President Trump.
Each man lobbed a string of accusations at the other for past support of U.S. wars — with Moulton, a U.S. Marine veteran, criticizing Markey for backing the Iraq war and Markey repeatedly saying that Moulton voted to approve a "trillion-dollar" war in Iran.
Moulton did vote "yes" on a war powers resolution but has been a staunch critic of the Iran war.
The candidates returned to a number of issues they often debate: Moulton on 80-year-old Markey's age, and pressing for a "new generation of leaders;" Markey on his 50-year record in Congress, calling for a more progressive Democratic party.
They also argued over their accomplishments in Congress. Moulton said he respects Markey, but his Green New Deal did not pass and was "not enough." Markey defended that environmental package of legislation, advanced with colleague U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and said he's authored numerous pro-climate measures in Congress.
Moulton touted his physics education and said if elected he'd push for more nuclear power to lower utility prices.
"The future is fusion," he said.
The debate, co-sponsored by WBUR, WCVB and The Boston Globe, was held live at WCVB's Needham studio. Questions from the media panel also focused on affordability, trans kids in sports and DEI, all of which Trump has attacked.
Markey told Moulton, "You threw those trans kids under the bus," following Trump's electoral victory in 2024, when Moulton said the Democratic party should be able to talk about trans issues and that he didn't want his young daughters "getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete."
Twice during the debate, Moulton apologized if his words hurt anyone, and repeated that he supports LGBTQ rights.
Markey was less sure-footed when the debate turned to the need for AI regulation. He said he wasn't sure what apps his "iPad may be using," and that it "doesn't matter if it's Siri or Claude" in question, when it comes to regulation.
Moulton seized on that moment, saying if Markey didn't know what apps he was using on his devices, that was yet another sign it's time for younger leadership in Congress.
Both men at various points said Trump should be impeached and repeatedly criticized what they called an illegal war in Iran.
"I say impeach Trump," Markey said. "He's running a criminal enterprise," and planning to "steal the election."
For his part, Moulton called the Iran war "such a disaster," adding that he was in favor of impeaching Trump and firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Both candidates also called for the elimination of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Moulton said immigration enforcement should be back under the auspices of the Department of Justice and said ICE is a "completely corrupt. It is staffed by thugs."
Markey, who grew up in Malden and often touts his working-class roots, said ICE is arresting "gardeners and cooks."
This story was originally reported and published by WBUR and was shared as part of the New England News Collaborative.
