Ed Markey Leads Seth Moulton in Massachusetts Senate Primary

Incumbent Ed Markey holds a substantial lead over challenger Representative Seth Moulton in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate Democratic primary. A UMass Amherst/WCVB poll conducted between August 5 and 12 shows Markey with 60% support compared to 32% for Moulton, a 28-point gap. A separate Suffolk University/Globe poll also favors Markey with 52% to 38%. This represents a significant increase from a July University of New Hampshire poll that showed Markey leading by only 6%.

Markey, who pledged in July that this would be his final term, maintains an 82% job approval rating and is favored by voters for his progressive ideology and experience. Moulton has centered his campaign on the need for a new generation of leadership, advocating for congressional age and term limits. While Markey leads among primary voters, Moulton leads among independent voters 53% to 30%.

Moulton has dismissed the UMass Amherst/WCVB poll as inaccurate and criticized Markey for accepting $62,000 from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and skipping candidate forums. In a look toward the general election, Markey leads Republican candidate John Deaton 51% to 30%, while Moulton leads Deaton 49% to 25%.

The candidates are scheduled for a final televised debate on Thursday, August 21, hosted by WCVB NewsCenter 5, WBUR, and The Boston Globe. Early voting begins August 22, with the primary election set for September 1.