Markey Leads Moulton in New Poll, Age Not a Concern

Survey shows Massachusetts voters favor veteran Senator over younger challenger

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:22pm

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A serene, painterly depiction of the Massachusetts State House dome, its classical architecture rendered in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conveying a sense of timeless political tradition.The Massachusetts State House, a symbol of the state's political legacy, stands as the backdrop to a closely watched primary battle between two Democratic heavyweights.Boston Today

A new poll of likely Massachusetts voters shows longtime Senator Ed Markey leading his primary challenger, Congressman Seth Moulton, by a significant margin. The survey also found that a majority of voters do not believe Markey's age should be a factor in his bid for re-election at 80 years old.

Why it matters

This race is seen as a key test of the Democratic party's generational divide, with the 80-year-old Markey representing the more progressive, veteran wing and the 48-year-old Moulton as a rising star of the party's younger, moderate faction. The results could influence the national party's direction ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

The details

The poll, conducted by the Metrowest Daily News, found that 47% of likely Massachusetts primary voters would choose Markey, compared to 32% for Moulton. Additionally, 53% of respondents said they do not believe Markey's age should be a factor in his re-election bid, despite him being the oldest member of the state's congressional delegation.

  • The poll was conducted from April 10-15, 2026.

The players

Ed Markey

The 80-year-old incumbent U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, representing the state's more progressive wing of the Democratic party.

Seth Moulton

The 48-year-old U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts' 6th district, seen as a rising moderate star within the Democratic party.

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What’s next

The Massachusetts primary election is scheduled for September 15, 2026.

The takeaway

This poll suggests Massachusetts voters are more concerned with Markey's long record of progressive leadership than his advanced age, potentially bucking a national trend of prioritizing youth and generational change within the Democratic party.