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Markey and other Massachusetts Democrats face primaries

Sep 1, 2026, 4:54am EDT
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Ed Markey
Kylie Cooper/Reuters

Multiple Massachusetts Democrats are facing primary challengers on Tuesday, led by Sen. Ed Markey, who warned voters that replacing him would mean losing a progressive champion and supporter of transgender rights in Washington.

“We need universal childcare and Medicare for all,” Markey told supporters in Dorchester at a weekend rally with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., accusing donors to Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., of trying to “steal this election.”

Polls show Markey with a substantial lead.

Democratic Reps. Stephen Lynch, Richard Neal, and Jake Auchincloss also face challengers, all of whom are running to their left.

In the district currently held by Moulton, former White House staffer Dan Koh is the only Democrat running with endorsements from both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris; some progressives rallied behind Rep. Tram Nguyen in the race’s final stretch, seeing her as Koh’s strongest opponent.

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