U.S. Sen. Ed Markey has won Tuesday’s Democratic primary, according to a race call from The Associated Press. The veteran progressive fended off a challenge from U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, who had called for a new generation of leadership.
Markey, 80, who has served in Washington since before Moulton, 47, was born, will face Republican John Deaton in November.
At a time when many older members of Congress are being swept out of office by younger, more progressive candidates, Markey ran as a leader of his party’s progressive wing against Moulton, who is more moderate on some issues. Markey is the oldest senator Massachusetts has ever elected and the oldest Senate Democrat seeking reelection this year. But throughout the primary, he argued that he was “more energized than ever.”
“I’m always the youngest guy in the room when it comes to new ideas,” he told WBUR the week before the primary.
Markey, who co-sponsored the Green New Deal and backs Medicare for all, was endorsed by leading progressives, including U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, and U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley. He was also endorsed by a number of progressive groups, including the Sunrise Movement and College Democrats of Massachusetts.
Moulton, who launched his Senate campaign last October, argued that Markey, who would be 86 at the end of his next term, “is too old.”
“I think that we need to learn the lessons of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dianne Feinstein and Joe Biden,” Moulton told WBUR. “I believe it’s time for a new generation of leadership to take on Trump and lead us forward.”
While the two agreed on most policy issues, Moulton returned again and again to Markey’s age, arguing that his “decision to cling to power” puts progressive priorities at risk. He, along with The Boston Globe, which endorsed Moulton, suggested that because of his age, Markey might not be able to finish his next term.
But Markey pushed back, arguing that if he couldn’t do the job he would step down.
“But the same thing should be true for Congressman Moulton. It should be true for anyone,” he said.
Markey, who grew up in Malden, where his father drove a truck for the Hood milk company, said he’s more determined than ever to oppose President Trump.
“Donald Trump brings out the Malden in me every day — and I fight him every day.” he told WBUR.
While Democrats in several states debate whether to embrace progressives or moderates, Massachusetts, for now, seems willing to send left-leaning veterans to the Senate. Markey in particular has spent decades burnishing his reputation as a leader of the state’s progressive establishment.
He benefited from the support of voters like Chris Trapper, of Westwood, who said he appreciated Markey’s long experience and his leadership on climate issues.
“He’s always been a leader and a progressive before it was kind of cool,” Trapper said.
This is the second time Markey has fended off a primary challenge across generational lines; six years ago he defeated U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who also argued that it was time for a new generation of leadership.
In a deep blue state, Markey will be heavily favored in the race against the Republican, Deaton, who lost his first bid for the Senate two years ago against Warren. Massachusetts hasn’t sent a Republican to Congress since Scott Brown’s stunning upset victory in 2010 following the death of U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
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