Senator Ed Markey holds a narrow edge over Representative Seth Moulton in the Massachusetts Democratic primary, according to a new Emerson College survey released Thursday. The poll shows 37 percent of likely Democratic primary voters backing the incumbent, compared to 32.3 percent for Moulton. Less than one percent support other candidates, while nearly 29 percent remain undecided ahead of the September primary.
The Generational Challenge
Moulton, a 47-year-old Marine veteran and moderate Democrat, launched his primary challenge last October, arguing that the party needs new leadership. In his announcement video, he criticized Democrats for clinging to the status quo and failing to fight hard enough. He directly questioned whether Markey, who would be 80 at the start of a new term, should seek reelection. “I don’t think someone who’s been in Congress for half a century is the right person to meet this moment and win the future,” Moulton said at the time.
The race unfolds amid broader Democratic soul-searching about age and generational change, especially after President Biden withdrew from the 2024 race following a poor debate performance. Moulton has been a vocal critic of the administration’s defense policies; he recently accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of war crimes over strikes in the Caribbean, a move that drew sharp partisan reactions.
Markey’s Strength with Younger Voters
Despite Moulton’s generational argument, Markey holds an advantage among voters under 50. The poll found 33 percent of that group backing Markey, versus 26 percent for Moulton. Among those over 50, the race is tighter: 40 percent support Markey and 38 percent back Moulton.
Markey’s overall favorability stands at 37 percent statewide. Among Democrats, 60 percent view him favorably, while only 12 percent hold an unfavorable opinion. Moulton’s favorability is 31 percent overall, with 49 percent of Democratic primary voters viewing him favorably.
Undecided Voters and the Road Ahead
The large undecided bloc, nearly three in ten voters, suggests the race remains fluid. Moulton will need to consolidate those voters and make inroads with younger Democrats to close the gap. Markey, a longtime progressive ally of Senator Bernie Sanders, has built a national profile on climate and technology issues, but his age and length of service are central to Moulton’s critique.
The Emerson College poll surveyed 451 likely Democratic primary voters from May 3-4, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. The survey did not test a general election matchup.
Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Senate race is one of several competitive Democratic primaries this cycle, as the party debates its direction. In other political news, Vivek Ramaswamy leads the Ohio GOP primary, and Senator Lisa Murkowski is pushing for a war powers vote on Iran, highlighting internal GOP divisions.
