Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) endorsed Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) in Massachusetts’ Democratic Senate primary on Aug. 20, boosting the incumbent’s campaign against challenger Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) ahead of the Sept. 1 primary.
The endorsement comes as new polls indicate Markey holds a significant lead over Moulton. A UMass poll released Aug. 18 showed Markey leading 60% to 32%, while a Suffolk University poll on Aug. 19 found Markey ahead 52% to 38%. Earlier surveys in July had shown a tighter race.
Final Debate and Polling Shifts
Markey and Moulton will participate in their third and final debate on the evening of Aug. 20, following the release of the latest polls. The Suffolk poll also revealed that 48% of Democratic primary voters said Markey’s age (80) makes no difference to their vote, while 33% said it would make them less likely to support him and 11% said they would not vote for him due to his age.
In the UMass poll, when asked to describe Markey in one word, respondents most frequently used "old", followed by "experienced".
Campaign Themes and Endorsements
Moulton has campaigned on a platform of generational change, contrasting his age (47) with Markey’s. Markey, who has served in Congress since 1976, has framed the race around his record, including his partnership with Ocasio-Cortez on the Green New Deal and his refusal to accept corporate PAC money.
Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement emphasized Markey’s opposition to corporate greed, stating in a post on social media: “At a time when powerful special interests are making life harder for everyday Americans, Massachusetts working families need a champion in the U.S. Senate to stand up for them and fight corporate greed.”
The Boston Globe editorial board endorsed Moulton on Aug. 18, marking a notable counterpoint to Ocasio-Cortez’s support for Markey.
Primary Timeline
The Massachusetts Senate primary is scheduled for Sept. 1, with early voting beginning Aug. 24. The winner will advance to the Nov. 5 general election to face the Republican nominee.