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Readers divided on whether Seth Moulton should challenge Ed Markey for U.S. Senate
Some readers are excited about a fresh perspective, while others raised concerns about Moulton's ambitions.
Boston.com readers are split whether Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., should launch a primary challenge against Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. Moulton, 46, is reportedly weighing a run against the 79-year-old senator.
According to an earlier report, two people with knowledge of his activities but not authorized to speak publicly, have said a campaign kickoff could come in early October. Recently, he was spotted with a film crew in Massachusetts. The election for U.S. Senate will be Nov. 3, 2026.
Markey was first elected to Congress in 1976 and later to the Senate in 2013. By the end of the next Senate term he will be 86 years old.
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A Marine Corps veteran, Moulton has been described as smart and ambitious — and offers a younger option on the ballot. He first won his House seat in 2014 by unseating a Democratic incumbent in the primary, and during his decade in Congress has pushed back against the party’s liberal orthodoxies and its deference to senior leaders. He also briefly ran for president in 2020 and attempted to block Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., from regaining her position as Speaker of the House after the 2018 midterm elections.
In a statement, Moulton said his plans for 2026 were not yet settled: “While I continue to look at the best options to represent Massachusetts moving forward, I have not yet made a decision about running for U.S. Senate.”
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Here’s what Boston.com readers thought about his potential run according to an informal poll.
Should Rep. Seth Moulton run for U.S. Senate?
Yes!
48%
No.
47%
I'm not sure yet.
5%
Readers were split on whether or not Moulton should challenge Markey. While many were excited by the prospect of a fresh perspective, others were concerned about Democrats going head to head in an already fractured party. Forty-eight percent said yes to the potential of Moulton’s run, and 47% said no. Only 5% of readers said they were not sure yet.
One anonymous reader was excited about the potential for change, “I think anyone interested in running should run. We should not just default to electing the same people over and over without a challenge. We can and should always challenge the status quo,” she said.
Others weren’t convinced Moulton was the best choice. Tim from Medway said, “Is this the best we can do in Massachusetts? Markey needs to go (that’s for sure). But can we find a better candidate to represent the State of Massachusetts? PLEASE.”
Read a sampling of reader responses below.
Yes!
“Seth has proven himself a worthy contender and representative to his constituents in Massachusetts already. We appreciate Sen. Markey and his time served, but it is time to bring in fresh eyes and perspectives to our Democratic party. Same ol’ Same ol’ is no longer working for our party and we need representatives like Seth who can challenge the “norms” and provide fresh perspectives that are more true representations of many of the people of our state believe in these days.” – CF from Seekonk
“Moulton is not a lock-step ‘progressive’ and he’s not afraid to refute their more egregious tendencies! Plus he’s under 80 years of age!!” – Martin from Boston
“We need [a] younger, slightly less progressive candidate that is willing to get his hands dirty from time to time.” – Anonymous from Natick
“It’s time to force politicians and judges into retirement at age SEVENTY. There’s millions of 20-, 30-, 40-, 50-, and 60-something[s] who have no one representing THEM or making generationally-relevant decisions. Age limits ensure consistent, predictable turnover throughout congress and ensure that congress is filled with generationally-relevant individuals with visions for the future, not our grandparent’s generation, whose cohort is dying off daily, who only want to keep things the same as they are today.” – Padraig from Dorchester
“He has a solid personal story and has demonstrated a willingness to buck the party when he feels necessary. In other words, he’s honest and doesn’t just tow the party line. Markey has done a good job but it’s time to retire. The average age of US citizens is about 40, Markey is double that. The next generation of leaders has been waiting long enough.” – Jack from Lynn
“I think anyone interested in running should run. We should not just default to electing the same people over and over without a challenge. We can and should always challenge the status quo.” – Anonymous
No.
“Rep. Moulton would add nothing to Massachusetts’ Senate delegation. When Markey retires, fine, go ahead and run. The last thing Democrats should be doing now is running against one another when they mostly agree. Moulton is arguably more an establishment Democrat compared to Markey anyway, so adding his voice to the Senate would do nothing to help.” – Jonathan B. from Newburyport
“Last thing we need is another corporate financed Dem who doesn’t stand up for real progressive values.” – Dave L.
“Despite his youth, his positions and voting record are not the direction the Democratic party should be taking. Markey, despite his age, has stayed current with issues and has continued to be a progressive voice. Moulton’s haphazard run for president should be more than enough to show us why he should not be one of our two senators.” – Mike from Lincoln
“Moulton is overly ambitious and loses every time. He would be disastrous as one [of] our two Senators.”– Philip W. from Boston
“We need new ideas in state government. It is obvious the policies the Democrats put forward are a disaster. We need a serious Republican candidate. Somebody who will work for a safer, more prosperous state with lower taxes and lower energy costs.” – Anonymous from Norwell
I’m not sure yet.
“I prefer a more progressive candidate like Markey, but I am concerned about his age. He’s too old to still be in congress but I still like his policies.” – Mariah from Boston
“There has to be a better choice than these two.” – Ian from Quincy
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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