Rep. Moulton challenges Sen. Markey in Massachusetts, calls for new generation of Democratic leaders

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MICHAEL CASEY
Updated 7:16 AM CDT, October 15, 2025

BOSTON (AP) — U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, a moderate Massachusetts Democrat, said Wednesday that he will challenge U.S. Sen. Edward Markey for the Democratic nomination in next year’s Senate race, arguing it’s time for the party to embrace a new generation of leadership.

The announcement makes the race one of the most anticipated primary contests in the country and pits two of the heavily Democratic state’s top politicians against one another. Markey, who fended off a challenge in 2020 from Rep. Joe Kennedy III in the Senate primary, would be 80 before his third six-year term would begin.

In a video accompanying his announcement, Moulton, 46, said the Democratic Party was stuck in the “status quo” and “isn’t fighting hard enough.”

Without naming former President Joe Biden, Moulton referenced the 2024 presidential election, when worries about Biden’s age and ability led to his departure from the race months before Election Day. The move — and Republican Donald Trump’s subsequent victory — reignited concerns among Democrats that the party’s leaders were too old and no longer best positioned to win.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/seth-moulton-massachusetts-senate-2026-edward-markey-8334d0d2cd329ab9ef58143a368832f5

---

[SSJVegeta]

1. I want Ed Markey. But like, an Ed Markey thats 30 years younger.

Moultom takes so much money from corporate interests it will be tough to vote for him.

[William Seger]

5. I guess that's what makes Moulton a "moderate"? (nt)

[SSJVegeta]

9. I guess so

I'll be voting for Markey. My wish is Markey drops out and endorses a like-minded much younger clone of his.

[slightlv]

25. Unfortunately, he's at the young end of these democrats who were raised

as "centrist" New Wave Dems. Obama was on the other side of the age scale. I fear for our party if this is all that we get from now on. Long gone will be the days of FDR type thinking. I really liked the Clintons, even standing up for Bill in his sexual dalliances compared with repubs like Gingrich. (and that stunk!) But Bill ushered in all this moneyed centrist focus... and it was he who hurt the poor and needy with changes to "welfare," and it wasn't just to reach across the aisle. He was beholden to big money... and so was Hillary... which was the biggest beef even I had with her (although I wanted her as Prez). If these money-centric democrats are all we get as elected for a few decades, kiss the rebuilding of America goodbye. We'll have Democracy to some degree... but not the way WE want it. Forget Medicare for All; forget COLAs that come anywhere near to covering even inflation, let alone how different groups spend their money differently. Obama was the one that brought up the chained CPI for Seniors. I kept waiting for someone to add in a can of catfood in the chain... the whole thing disgusted me... and it does even moreso now since I'm on SS and 2 weeks after I get my check and having paid the bills, we're scrounging for money to keep us and the critters in food.

I've long said I see the Republican party splitting into a least two separate parties. I've also said I can easily see the democratic party doing the same thing... split between money centrists and progressives. And I know which party I'm going with!

[bottomofthehill]

20. Markey has taken over 1million dollars in PAC money

in this cycle.

[SSJVegeta]

22. PAC money ≠ corporate money

Taking from unions and issue based groups he believes in is far different than taking money from foreign governments and large corporations or banks.

PAC money is not evil in and of itself. The people who finance the PACs they take from is the issue.

[obamanut2012]

2. I do not want Seth -- "moderate" is an understatement

[Keepthesoulalive]

3. Isn't he a conservative dem?

We need to vet our candidates, not go on a youth or not the old guard kick. I do not want another Fetterman or Sinema.

[littlemissmartypants]

4. I think ageism sucks as much as racism.

Ed Markey is a career public servant and so is his wife. It would be a shame to lose his experience in the job but he should be lifting someone up the ladder behind him. All our congressional representatives should.

It shouldn't be an afterthought or a wait until the last minute decision to have a backup plan.

[Keepthesoulalive]

6. I agree

We keep looking for something new and untried thinking it will save us. We need clear headed people in office no matter how old to fix this mess. Seniority counts. If elected officials are not doing their jobs, vote them out. If they are effective support them.

[littlemissmartypants]

7. Thank you, Keepthesoulalive. ❤️

[slightlv]

30. I agree to a very large degree with you, Keep...

but we've got some members who need to retire and get out of the way for a younger generation. Problem is, I don't want the generation that's just below them... the 45-60 year olds. I want the one that's below them. Get some *really* younger blood in office. They're more progressive, they've had the run pulled out from under their feet their whole lives. They know what it means to live like regular people. They're caring and nurturing for the most part (and that's a huge assumption just based on the people I know). They care not only about the poor, the needy, the disabled, the elderly... they also care about the animals we share this earth with, and they care deeply about the Earth, itself. This is the kind of thinking person we need in offices all over the country, IMO.

Just as with everything else in life, no one size fits all. There are 80 year olds that are smart as a whip and haven't slowed down much at all. My gods, look at Bernie! Goddess bless him and keep him hale and healthy. But then there are others like Feinstein, Grassley, Turtle, and trump who have lost a large part of their mental faculties simply due to age. It's not a accusation against them; it's just life. Hell, I'm dealing with the same thing with my hubby. It's damned scary. Just this morning he forgot to turn the burner off from under the skillet on the stove. Thank goodness I not only still have some marbles in my head, but I also still have a sensitive nose, and I love him to pieces. But I sure wouldn't want him making decisions in Congress, although I think his heart would over rule his head and most of the other congress critters sitting there.

I don't believe thinking like this is ageism. I think it's taking each individual and vetting and assessing them on an individual basis. If people had done that, they wouldn't have been screaming "Old Age!" "Dementia!" at Biden and demanding he resign. The man had more sense and intelligence and good decision making skills than trump could ever have had in his life... and especially at his old age.

But I also would like to see MUCH younger blood in Congress because I think it would bode well for our causes, and be better for the general welfare of the Country. So again, it calls for discernment and really understanding who's running for what... not necessarily whether they're young or old, as you said.

[Keepthesoulalive]

34. Magical thinking

Politics is hard and a learning process, the young people you are around they are not the norm. Young males went in for trump because of inexperience, manipulation and believing they are owed something like women’s bodies. They have not learned to discern bullshit. You must sacrifice your time and resources running a campaign also fight the system like the gentleman running for mayor of New York City. I’m glad you love Bernie but he has passed no major legislation that he has written since being a senator also his lens is very narrow. The only thing that will save this ship is everyone voting for what is best for this country, like universal healthcare, no food insecurity and housing for all. Do I think that will happen?

[slightlv]

36. I want to believe it will... piece by piece in time.

Although I doubt seriously I'll still be alive to see it. And Bernie's treasure is he brings people together... people who otherwise wouldn't associate with each other. I've never met him (tho I wish I could), but for some strange reason he's got a good kind of charisma. And gods, we need that on our side, too. They've got BAD Charisma in trump, and look what it's done to us. If we could bring people together with GOOD charisma, imagine! But yes... that's probably magickal thinking, too.

Its precisely because politics is hard with a long learning curve that I am speaking of mentorships. You can throw anyone to the wolves to see if they survive, but how much better is it if you have someone by your side who's already been there and know how and what to feed (or starve) the wolves. I'm speaking of the whole, and not specific races in specific states here. I have no dog in the NYC fight. We've got one impossible one to fight against... AGAIN... here in Kansas. And yes, there's sacrifice and money spent that comes from things like food budgets to try to make the good happen. But oh, dear god, please let us get Kobach out of office once and for all. I am SO tired of fighting against him every election season.

Every state has their albatross. Every state has those who try to run under the mirror, hoping the mirror won't turn and show their real reflection. That's why for us, the voters, even more important than money, we *must* go to the polls armed to the teeth with knowledge of who is running and who to vote for. One of the best things I've seen out there is Voter Guides... but I don't rely on them alone when I do my research. I do a deep dive into the Internet on the person. Even Judges... while they're suppose to be nonpartisan and therefore not easily researchable as to "R" or "D", I read the summaries of cases they've judged and can usually get a good idea as to whether or not I'd agree with that person. It's important enough to me that I download the election information from our local office as soon as it's released in full... and then spend the next 2-3 months researching everything and everyone I can. Of course, now that I'm retired it's a little easier to do than when I was working full time. Still, I managed to do it then, even with all the overtime. It's a matter of priorities. I would never feel right showing up a polling place without knowing who to vote for and why... and having their names on a list for both me and hubby, given our memories! (LOL)

[Keepthesoulalive]

37. As someone who has seen what this country is about

I have no illusions. What she has done to other countries she is now doing it internally. I go to meetings with our reps, no young people and if you think about it they are being young and finding out what this is about meaning making mistakes and hopefully learning from them. They unfortunately are listening to pied pipers who are using them for their access and money. Bernie resonates with some people others not so much and I am being kind. Indivisible is doing a heck of a job and I hope they are successful but until America stops hating and fearing others I have little hope.

[SSJVegeta]

10. Age and health is a relevant issue especially in terms of maintaining control in times of slim majorities

If Dems win 51 seats and lose a member because of health, there goes the majority. It is much less likely to happen with a younger member.

Then again if you replace a reliable independent-minded Dem like Markey with a Sinema-lite fellow such as Moulton who finds the right price for his soul? Well:

There goes the majority.

I would rather take my chances on a career public servant in fairly good health like Markey than I would on trusting Moulton's handle on on the integrity of his soul...

[littlemissmartypants]

13. Excellent points. But I also think we need better backup plans for...

Legacy replacements. There should be some kind of buddy system or congress person in training protocol.

I haven't done any research on this so I'm just spitballing here but it seems to me that we get caught with our britches down too much. Especially lately.

[SSJVegeta]

15. Absolutely. Another thought is that MA is so reliably Democratic that Markey is likely to

Be replaced by somebody more similar to him than not -if there were a vacancy.

[littlemissmartypants]

19. I can't speak to that. I am also not as optimistic as I used to be about a lot of things. ❤️

[slightlv]

31. I've been pushing that the elders should be stepping aside

from elected office (where needed), but be close at hand as mentors. I think we're talking about the same type of thing. The republicans have a much younger group in their ranks ready to rise to the top... and they're just as mean or worse than the ones currently in office. They've been trained to be that way from a very early age and they've already been corrupted by money and power.

[Jilly_in_VA]

28. I agree

having been a victim of it myself.

HOWEVER, with that said, I do think it's time for some younger Democrats in office. Just not THIS one!

[Polybius]

42. It's a lot different than racism

Let's say their were no term limits, and Biden ran and beat Trump again in 2024. Would you really want him running again in 2028? At some point, someone can be too old for the job.

[littlemissmartypants]

43. That's not evidence that supports your stated premise. ...

If you are suggesting that ageism and racism are not the same it requires statements of facts. It's necessary to present some logical support to prove your presupposition is accurate.

That isn't evident here.

"Let's say their were no term limits, and Biden ran and beat Trump again in 2024. Would you really want him running again in 2028? At some point, someone can be too old for the job."

If you haven't already then, read this and check back with me later. ❤️

https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300192407/childism/
A seminal volume on prejudice against children for parents, teachers, psychologists, social workers, policy-makers—anyone concerned with the crucial subject of child welfare.

In this groundbreaking volume on the human rights of children, acclaimed analyst, political theorist, and biographer Elisabeth Young-Bruehl argues that prejudice exists against children as a group and that it is comparable to racism, sexism, and homophobia. This prejudice—“childism”—legitimates and rationalizes a broad continuum of acts that are not “in the best interests of children,” including the often violent extreme of child abuse and neglect. According to Young-Bruehl, reform is possible only if we acknowledge this prejudice in its basic forms and address the motives and cultural forces that drive it, rather than dwell on the various categories of abuse and punishment.

“There will always be individuals and societies that turn on their children," writes Young-Bruehl, “breaking the natural order Aristotle described two and a half millennia ago in his Nichomachean Ethics." In Childism, Young-Bruehl focuses especially on the ways in which Americans have departed from the child-supportive trends of the Great Society and of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Many years in the making, Childism draws upon a wide range of sources, from the literary and philosophical to the legal and psychoanalytic. Woven into this extraordinary volume are case studies that illuminate the profound importance of listening to the victims who have so much to tell us about the visible and invisible ways in which childism is expressed.

[Midwestern Democrat]

44. Agreed - equating racism and ageism is ridiculous. Racism targets the impacted group from cradle to grave.

Ageism can be either reasonable or unreasonable: not hiring anyone over 50 is unreasonable unless it's a profession where youth and/or looks are an essential part of the job - athletics, modeling, certain acting roles, etc ; being apprehensive about electing people in their 80s (when you have direct experience seeing family members/friends at that age and routinely see news reports of the rich and famous - who presumably have access to the world's best healthcare - dying at that age) is not really all that unreasonable.

[bottomofthehill]

16. Maybe take a look at his voting record

it is very similar to Congressman Swalwells.

[Keepthesoulalive]

23. Please tell me how he votes versus the person he is running against

If he is serious he should be to the left of the current representative.

[bottomofthehill]

38. Your question was " isn't he a conservative dem"

The answer is no he is not. It is difficult to compare their voting records as one is in the House and the other the Senate. I have voted for Senator Markey 9 times in my life. bTW, it would be difficult to find a Democrat to the Left of Ed Markey. The question is not who is the most left, the question is when is enough. This is a 6 year term.

[Keepthesoulalive]

40. I don't care if he cannot finish his term

Perhaps there is someone who can equal or exceed his left leaning politics.

[bottomofthehill]

41. If we run people to the Left of Ed Markey

we will never be a majority party again. Not the House, not the Senate, not the Whitehouse.

[obamanut2012]

29. Yes, he is -- hard no

[republianmushroom]

8. It is time for a change of leadership. IMO

[Keepthesoulalive]

12. What kind of change

We’ve seen far too many people who run as dems and then switch parties or vote with republicans. We need to vet our candidates and choose the right ones. Youth does not equal good or competent. Republicans will vote for a rock and most of them are. Democrats want an imaginary candidate that will fulfill their fantasies and will turn on them if they don’t fulfill that ideal.

[republianmushroom]

17. A lot less passive then what they have been. IMO

[wolfie001]

11. My private equity and hedge fund alarms are ringing

Loudly.

[William Seger]

14. Buckle up, and keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times.

[wolfie001]

18. Crazy times! nt

[Keepthesoulalive]

24. What makes you think he will be a more passionate candidate.

Most of the dems are holding and they are fighting for some form of healthcare, let’s give them a majority so they can stop this madman.

[bottomofthehill]

21. Only on this board and in Massachusetts would Molton be considered a conservative

[Blue_Adept]

26. Got the text from his team just after the announcement

At least I know I get to vote against Moulton in the primary now.

The guy has been something of an ass in the state for the past decade. He's going to have to be delicate in his approach to ageism with this. Kennedy tried a version of it during 2020 as well and it didn't work. The biggest problem is that Markey can show his accomplisments in state over the years, Moulton has very little to show for his decade in office.

[sheshe2]

27. I will be voting for Markey.

[aeromanKC]

32. I like Markey.

Voting against Markey would be akin to voting against Bernie.

[Cobalt Violet]

33. I won't be voting for a centrist.

I'll stick with Markey.

[BaronChocula]

35. I'm not in Mass, but

I'll take an older liberal with an "A" from Progressive Punch than a young moderate with a "C" from Progressive Punch

A young Kennedy tried to oust Markey six years ago. That didn't work out.