Politics

Voter’s Guide: A look back at the Senate race between Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy

Catch up on 12 months of the increasingly contentious contest.

Rep. Joe Kennedy III speaks during a debate against Senator Ed Markey on July 26, 2020. (NBC10 Boston) NBC10 Boston

By Nik DeCosta-Klipa

3 minutes to read

Exactly one year ago, Rep. Joe Kennedy III admitted he was considering a decision that would shake Massachusetts politics:

A primary challenge against incumbent Sen. Ed Markey.

Twelve months later, the two Massachusetts Democrats are down to the wire in the nationally watched Senate primary race, as Markey argues his extensive record and co-authorship of the Green New Deal has earned him another six years in Congress, while Kennedy pitches himself as a new leader who will show up in local communities and help carry forward the progressive movement.

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With less than a week to go before voting ends on Sept. 1, here’s a look back at Boston.com’s coverage of the extraordinary race — and increasingly heated clashes — between the 74-year-old senator from Malden and the 39-year-old congressman from Newton, beginning last August. (And scroll to the bottom or click here to take our poll on the race.)

Joe Kennedy opens up about why he’s thinking about taking on Ed Markey (Aug. 26)

Joe Kennedy wants to make some changes to the political system — starting with the filibuster (Sept. 6)

Joe Kennedy officially announces U.S. Senate campaign (Sept. 21)

Joe Kennedy’s ‘people’s pledge’ proposal isn’t going over well with his primary opponents (Sept. 25)

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Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy clash over corporate PACs (Sept. 26)

Joe Kennedy is ‘happy to debate climate.’ His campaign is not happy about an upcoming event. (Nov. 7)

5 things to know if you missed Ed Markey debate Shannon Liss-Riordan on climate change (Nov. 11)

Here’s where Joe Kennedy stands on the hottest issues debated during Ed Markey’s climate change forum (Nov. 11)

Joe Kennedy and Shannon Liss-Riordan signed a People’s Pledge. Ed Markey is proposing something different. (Dec. 2)

Ed Markey is just now returning fossil fuel-linked donations. Joe Kennedy quietly did, too. (Jan. 3)

Ed Markey is calling for a ‘new Four Freedoms’ (Jan. 13)

Ed Markey hones his Green New Deal pitch ahead of first Senate primary debate (Feb. 14)

3 big disputes from the first Senate primary debate between Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy (Feb. 19)

Joe Kennedy proposes direct payments of at least $4,000 to most American adults (March 18)

Mass. Democrats move to cancel the party’s convention — and endorse Ed Markey (March 31)

Joe Kennedy builds on his fundraising advantage over Ed Markey in first quarter of 2020 (April 1)

Ed Markey wants to boost coronavirus relief payments — and make them monthly (May 8)

Joe Kennedy on the need for a ‘Civil Gideon’ and the ‘disappointing’ response he received on Twitter (May 15)

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Joe Kennedy revives an old charge — with a new twist — against Ed Markey during second Senate debate (June 2)

Ed Markey rips Joe Kennedy as ‘progressive-in-name-only’ in heated debate (June 9)

Joe Kennedy says he cut ties with his college fraternity over its ‘racist record’ (June 19)

Where’s Markey? Senator misses dozens of votes in pandemic (June 25)

Joe Kennedy says family trusts have divested from fossil fuel companies (July 16)

Broadway fundraiser for Joe Kennedy postponed indefinitely after Twitter backlash (July 20)

Touting blue-collar roots, Ed Markey releases first TV ad in Senate primary race

Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy both voted for bills including bed quotas. Here’s why Markey is the one taking heat for it. (July 24)

Ed Markey ‘ain’t no Bernie.’ But left-wing groups are rallying behind him all the same. (July 26)

Ed Markey accuses Joe Kennedy of voting to ‘hollow out’ Puerto Rico (July 27)

The Boston Globe Editorial Board endorses Ed Markey in Senate race (July 28)

Joe Kennedy came out in support of legalizing marijuana before Ed Markey. So why is Markey hammering him for it? (July 30)

Ed Markey urges William Barr to reopen case of Easton native killed by police, after criticism of his own response (Aug. 5)

Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy clash in heated — and personal — Senate primary debate (Aug. 11)

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Ed Markey says it took ‘two years’ for Joe Kennedy to support Medicare-for-All. Kennedy says it took Markey even longer. (Aug. 12)

Joe Kennedy responds to Ed Markey’s ‘attacks’ on his family, as heated Senate race gets personal (Aug. 17)

3 things we learned from the final debate between Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy (Aug. 19)

Sunrise Movement slams Nancy Pelosi for endorsing Joe Kennedy’s primary challenge against incumbent Ed Markey (Aug. 20)

Nancy Pelosi says Joe Kennedy endorsement is ‘consistent’ with her practice of supporting House Democrats (Aug. 24)

Joe Kennedy’s campaign wants Ed Markey to do more about the ‘toxic’ behavior of some of his supporters (Aug. 24)


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