Massachusetts voters head to the polls Tuesday for the state’s primary election, with the Democratic Senate primary between incumbent Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Seth Moulton drawing the most attention. Polls opened at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., and the winner will face Republican John Deaton in the November general election.
Markey seeks a third six-year term in the Senate, while Moulton is challenging the 80-year-old incumbent. The race has centered on Moulton’s argument that it is time for a generational change, despite few policy differences between the two candidates. Markey, who has served in Congress since 1976, has pledged this would be his final term but has framed his experience as an asset.
Governor’s race features Republican primary between Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve, with the winner facing incumbent Democratic Gov. Maura Healey in November. Minogue, a former medical device executive, secured the state Republican Party’s endorsement in April, while Shortsleeve, a venture capitalist and former MBTA chief, has positioned himself as an outsider.
Congressional races include open contests in the 6th and 8th Districts. Moulton’s departure from the House has created a crowded Democratic primary for his seat, covering much of the North Shore and Merrimack Valley. Five candidates—John Beccia, Bethany Andres-Beck, Jamie Belsito, Dan Koh, and Tram Nguyen—are vying for the nomination, with the winner facing Republican Micah Jones in November. In the 8th District, Rep. Stephen Lynch is challenged by attorney Patrick Roath, who has spent over $1 million in his campaign.
Senate Race: Markey Defends Seat Against Moulton Challenge
Sen. Ed Markey, first elected to the Senate in 2013, is a prominent progressive known for his sponsorship of the Green New Deal alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He has retained strong support from top Democratic figures, including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as AOC. Markey has also won the endorsement of the majority of delegates at the state Democratic convention in May.
Rep. Seth Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran first elected in 2014, has argued that Markey’s age—80—and lengthy tenure in Congress warrant a change. Moulton has pointed to a recent debate exchange where Markey described his use of technology as relying on “whatever is inside of [his] iPhone and [his] iPad.” Moulton has stated, “The world has changed, and Senator Markey is very much running the same campaign he did back in 2020.” He has framed the race as a referendum on generational leadership rather than policy differences.
Polling ahead of the primary has consistently shown Markey leading Moulton by double-digit margins, with Markey retaining the support of state Democratic officials. Moulton has been endorsed by The Boston Globe and several current and former House colleagues, including Gov. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey.
Governor’s Race: Minogue and Shortsleeve Vie for GOP Nomination
The Republican primary for governor features Mike Minogue, a former medical device company executive who won the state party’s endorsement in April, and Brian Shortsleeve, a former Marine and venture capitalist who served as MBTA chief under former Gov. Charlie Baker. The winner will challenge Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, who is seeking a second term.
Congressional Primaries: Open Seats in 6th and 8th Districts
With Moulton running for Senate, the 6th Congressional District has an open Democratic primary featuring five candidates: Bethany Andres-Beck, John Beccia, Jamie Belsito, Dan Koh, and Tram Nguyen. The district covers much of the North Shore and parts of the Merrimack Valley. The winner will face Republican Micah Jones in November.
In the 8th Congressional District, Rep. Stephen Lynch is facing a challenge from attorney Patrick Roath, who has spent over $1 million in his campaign to unseat the longtime incumbent from South Boston. Lynch, first elected in 2001, is seeking his 13th term.
Key Dates and Voting Information
- Primary Election Day: Tuesday, [insert date if available]
- Polling Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Voter Resources: Polling locations can be found on the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s website.