2026 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
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The 2026 United States Senate election in Massachusetts will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Primary elections will be held on September 1, 2026. Incumbent two-term Democratic U.S. senator Ed Markey, who was re-elected in 2020 with 66.2% of the vote, is running for a third full term. Republicans have not won a Senate election in Massachusetts since 2010.
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November 3, 2026
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Markey, who will be 80 years old at the time of the 2026 election, has faced calls to retire due to his age.[1] Markey did announce that if reelected, that will be his last term. His main primary challenger, U.S. representative Seth Moulton, has criticized Markey's choice to run for re-election rather than retire throughout the campaign.[2] Moulton has also expressed support for a constitutional amendment creating an age limit for members of Congress.[3]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Ed Markey, incumbent U.S. senator (2013–present)[4]
- Seth Moulton, U.S. representative from Massachusetts's 6th congressional district (2015–present)[5][6]
Eliminated in convention
- William F. Gates Jr., professor and architect[7]
Withdrawn
Declined
- Jake Auchincloss, U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district (2021–present) (running for re-election)[10]
- Ayanna Pressley, U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district (2019–present) (running for re-election; endorsed Markey)[11]
Endorsements
Ed Markey
- U.S. senators
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont (2007–present) (Independent)[12]
- Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts (2013–present)[13]
- U.S. representatives
- Katherine Clark, House minority whip (2023–present) from MA-05 (2013–present)[14]
- Bill Keating, MA-09 (2011–present)[15]
- Jim McGovern, MA-02 (2013–present)[16]
- Richard Neal, MA-01 (1989–present)[17]
- Lori Trahan, MA-03 (2019–present)[18]
- Ayanna Pressley, MA-07 (2019–present)[19]
- Statewide officials
- Andrea Campbell, attorney general of Massachusetts (2023–present)[20]
- Paul DePalo, governor's councilor from the 7th district (2021–present)[21]
- State legislators
- Michael Barrett, state senator from the 3rd Middlesex district (2013–present)[22]
- William Brownsberger, president pro tempore of the Massachusetts Senate (2019–present) from the 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex district (2012–present)[22]
- Nick Collins, state senator from the 1st Suffolk district (2018–present)[14]
- Julian Cyr, state senator from the Cape and Islands district (2017–present)[15]
- Sal DiDomenico, state senator from the Middlesex and Suffolk district (2010–present)[22]
- Brandy Fluker-Reid, state representative from the 12th Suffolk district (2021–present)[23]
- Homar Gomez, state representative from the 2nd Hampshire district (2025–present)[24]
- Russell Holmes, state representative from the 6th Suffolk district (2011–present)[23]
- Pat Jehlen, state senator from the 2nd Middlesex district (2005–present)[22]
- Mary Keefe, state representative from the 15th Worcester district (2013–present)[21]
- Edward Kennedy, former state senator from the 1st Middlesex district (2019–2025) (deceased)[25]
- Robyn Kennedy, state senator from the 1st Worcester district (2023–present)[21]
- David LeBoeuf, state representative from the 17th Worcester district (2019–present)[21]
- Jason Lewis, state senator from the 5th Middlesex district (2014–present)[26]
- Joan Lovely, state senator from the 2nd Essex district (2013–present)[26]
- Liz Miranda, state senator from the 2nd Suffolk district (2023–present)[23]
- Michael Moore, state senator from the 2nd Worcester district (2009–present)[21]
- Susan Moran, former state senator from the Plymouth and Barnstable district (2020–2025)[15]
- Therese Murray, former president of the Massachusetts Senate (2007–2015) from the Plymouth and Barnstable district (1993–2015)[15]
- Marc Pacheco, former state senator from the 1st Plymouth and Bristol district (1993–2025)[27]
- Michael Rodrigues, state senator from the 1st Bristol and Plymouth district (2011–present)[27]
- Lindsay Sabadosa, state representative from the 1st Hampshire district (2019–present)[24]
- Dan Wolf, former state senator from the Cape and Islands district (2011–2017)[15]
- 29 other state representatives[27][14][22]
- Local officials
- Kevin Hayden, district attorney of Suffolk County (2022–present)[23]
- Paul Heroux, sheriff of Bristol County (2023–present)[27]
- Peter Koutoujian, sheriff of Middlesex County (2011–present) and former state representative from the 10th Middlesex district (1997–2011)[25]
- Jon Mitchell, mayor of New Bedford (2012–present)[15]
- Jared Nicholson, mayor of Lynn (2022–present)[26]
- Joseph Petty, mayor of Worcester (2012–present)[21]
- Marian Ryan, district attorney for Middlesex County (2013–present)[27]
- Michelle Wu, mayor of Boston (2021–present)[28]
- Ed Flynn, Boston city councilor from the 2nd district (2018–present)[23]
- 10 other Boston city councilors[23]
- Individuals
- Labor unions
- Massachusetts AFL-CIO[30]
- American Federation of Government Employees[31]
- American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 93[32]
- American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts[33]
- Boston Teachers Union[23]
- Association of Flight Attendants[34]
- Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen[35]
- Committee of Interns and Residents[36]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103[37]
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers State Council[38]
- Massachusetts Teachers Association[39]
- Massachusetts Nurses Association[32]
- National Association of Government Employees Local 5000[40]
- North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters[41]
- SEIU 32BJ[36]
- SEIU Locals 1199, 888 and 509[36]
- Teamsters Local 122[42]
- UNITE HERE Local 26[43]
- United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 328, 791, 1445, and 1459[32]
- Organizations
- Armenian National Committee of America[44]
- Christopher Street Project[45]
- College Democrats of Massachusetts[46]
- End Citizens United[47]
- Human Rights Campaign[48]
- J Street[49]
- Jewish Democratic Council of America[50]
- Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs[51]
- League of Conservation Voters[52]
- Natural Resources Defense Council[53]
- Our Revolution[54]
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund[55]
- Population Connection[56]
- Progressive Change Campaign Committee[57]
- Progressive Democrats of America[58]
- Sunrise Movement[59]
- Voters of Tomorrow[59]
- Political parties
Seth Moulton
- U.S. representatives
- Chrissy Houlahan, PA-06 (2019–present)[61]
- Seth Magaziner, RI-02 (2023–present)[61]
- Max Rose, former NY-11 (2019–2021)[62]
- Pat Ryan, NY-18 (2023–present)[61]
- Derek Tran, CA-45 (2025–present)[61]
- Statewide officials
- Mikie Sherrill, governor of New Jersey (2026–present)[63]
- State legislators
- John Cronin, state senator from the Worcester and Middlesex district (2021–present)[64]
- Individuals
- Tim Miller, political strategist and writer for The Bulwark[65]
- Labor unions
- Iron Workers Local 7[66]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Locals 104, 1499, and 2325[41]
- Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 12[67]
- Teamsters Joint Council 10 and Locals 3, 25, 42, 59, 127, 170, 404, and 653[68]
- Utility Workers Union of America[69]
- Organizations
Declined to endorse
- Statewide officials
- Maura Healey, governor of Massachusetts (2023–present)[71]
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate
| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Ed Markey (D) | $7,548,510 | $6,972,838 | $2,227,616 |
| Seth Moulton (D) | $5,651,172 | $4,886,638 | $2,614,871 |
| Alex Rikleen (D) | $79,333 | $77,343 | $1,989 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[72] | |||
Polling
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Ed Markey |
Seth Moulton |
Alex Rikleen |
Undecided[a] | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 270toWin[73] | April 15–May 7, 2026 | May 26, 2026 | 43.3% | 31.7% | 3.5% | 21.5% | Markey +11.6% |
| Race to the WH[74] | through August 12, 2026 | August 17, 2026 | 55.2% | 32.4% | 2.0% | 10.4%[b] | Markey +22.8% |
| Average | 49.3% | 32.1% | 2.8% | 16.0% | Markey +17.2% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Ed Markey |
Seth Moulton |
Alex Rikleen |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[75][76][A] | August 5–12, 2026 | 445 (LV) | ± 5.8% | 60%[d] | 32% | – | 2%[e] | 7% |
| 54% | 28% | – | 1%[f] | 17% | ||||
| University of New Hampshire[77] | June 18–23, 2026 | 370 (LV) | ± 5.1% | 41% | 35% | — | 1% | 23% |
| Emerson College[78] | May 3–4, 2026 | 451 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 37% | 32% | 1% | 1%[g] | 29% |
| University of New Hampshire[79] | April 16–20, 2026 | 353 (LV) | ± 5.2% | 46% | 33% | 6% | — | 15% |
| Suffolk University[80][B] | April 9–13, 2026 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.4% | 47% | 30% | — | — | 20% |
| University of New Hampshire[81] | February 12–16, 2026 | 352 (LV) | ± 5.2% | 35% | 23% | 7% | 5%[h] | 30% |
| Suffolk University[82][B] | November 19–23, 2025 | 226 (LV) | ± 6.5% | 45% | 22% | — | — | 33% |
| University of New Hampshire[83] | November 13–17, 2025 | 343 (LV) | ± 5.3% | 34% | 25% | 2% | 3%[i] | 35% |
| Data for Progress (D)[84] | October 23–26, 2025 | 652 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 53% | 34% | — | — | 13% |
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[75][A] | October 21–29, 2025 | 416 (LV) | ± 6.1% | 51%[d] | 28% | 6% | 1%[f] | 14% |
| 44% | 25% | 5% | 1%[f] | 25% |
Hypothetical polling
- Ed Markey vs. Seth Moulton vs. Ayanna Pressley
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Ed Markey |
Seth Moulton |
Ayanna Pressley |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk University[82][B] | November 19–23, 2025 | 226 (LV) | ± 6.5% | 34% | 16% | 35% | — | 15% |
- Ed Markey vs. Seth Moulton vs. Ayanna Pressley vs. Alex Rikleen
- Seth Moulton vs. Ayanna Pressley vs. Michelle Wu vs. Joseph P. Kennedy III vs. Jake Auchincloss vs. Alex Rikleen
Debates
As of June 2026, three debates are scheduled to be held between Markey and Moulton.[85]
| No. | Date | Hosts | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Democratic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
||||||
| Ed Markey | Seth Moulton | |||||
| 1 | July 8, 2026[86] | WWLP | Patrick Berry | YouTube | P | P |
| 2 | August 3, 2026[87] | WBUR-FM WGBH-TV The Boston Globe |
Ed Harding | YouTube | P | P |
| 3 | August 20, 2026[88] | Boston 25 News WGBH-TV El Planeta The Bay State Banner |
TBA | TBA | I | I |
Results
Candidates must win at least 15% at the party convention in order to make it onto the primary ballot. The convention decides which candidate gets the party's endorsement for the primary election while the primary decides the party nominee for the general election.[60]
Convention results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ed Markey | 2,744 | 72.9% | |
| Democratic | Seth Moulton | 1,018 | 27.1% | |
| Total votes | 3,762 | 100.0% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Presumptive nominee
Eliminated at convention or did not file
- Christopher Thrasher, Westport School Committee Chair and nominee for Massachusetts House of Representatives' 8th Bristol district in 2024[92]
Withdrawn
- Nathan Bech, former West Springfield City Councilman and nominee for Massachusetts's 1st congressional district in 2008 (running as an independent)[93]
Declined
- Charlie Baker, president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (2023–present) and former Governor of Massachusetts (2015–2023)[94]
- Michael Soter, state representative from the 8th Worcester district (2019–present)[95]
Endorsements
John Deaton
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Nathan Bech (R) | $80,010 | $56,107 | $28,676 |
| John Deaton (R) | $1,498,521 | $771,957 | $726,603 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[72] | |||
Third parties and independents
Party for Socialism and Liberation
Candidates
Declared
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of August 12, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Joe Tache (PSL) | $147,751 | $116,834 | $30,916 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[72] | |||
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Nathan Bech, former West Springfield City Councilman and Republican nominee for Massachusetts's 1st congressional district in 2008[93]
Filed paperwork
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of April 18, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Morgan Dawicki (I) | $16,497 | $7,308 | $3,997 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[72] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[101] | Solid D | April 13, 2026 |
| Decision Desk HQ[102] | Safe D | July 14, 2026 |
| The Economist[103][j] | Safe D | May 22, 2026 |
| FiftyPlusOne[104] | Safe D | August 3, 2026 |
| Fox News[105] | Solid D | July 21, 2026 |
| Inside Elections[106] | Solid D | April 23, 2026 |
| Race To The WH[107] | Safe D | May 22, 2026 |
| RealClearPolitics[108] | Solid D | May 19, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[109] | Safe D | March 4, 2026 |
| Silver Bulletin[110] | Solid D | August 11, 2026 |
Debates
In May 2026, months before the primary, Republican presumptive nominee John Deaton challenged the two main Democratic candidates, incumbent senator Ed Markey and representative Seth Moulton, to a three-way debate. Moulton agreed to the debate, which was scheduled for June. Markey did not attend the debate.[111]
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Democratic | Republican |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
|||||||
| Ed Markey | Seth Moulton | John Deaton | |||||
| 1 | June 16, 2026[111] | WBZ-TV | Jon Keller | C-SPAN | A | P | P |
Polling
- Ed Markey vs. John Deaton
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Ed Markey (D) |
John Deaton (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[77] | June 18–23, 2026 | 623 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 50% | 34% | — | 16% |
| Suffolk University[112][B] | June 8–12, 2026 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 55% | 30% | 1%[k] | 14% |
| University of New Hampshire[79] | April 16–20, 2026 | 603 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 55% | 32% | 1%[l] | 12% |
| University of New Hampshire[81] | February 12–16, 2026 | 620 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 56% | 27% | 2%[m] | 15% |
| Cygnal (R)[113][C] | January 22–25, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 54% | 30% | — | 16% |
| Suffolk University[82][B] | November 19–23, 2025 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.4% | 54% | 31% | — | 15% |
| SurveyUSA[114][D] | February 28 – March 4, 2025 | 775 (RV) | — | 45% | 26% | — | 30% |
- Seth Moulton vs. John Deaton
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Seth Moulton (D) |
John Deaton (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[77] | June 18–23, 2026 | 623 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 50% | 30% | 1% | 19% |
| Suffolk University[112][B] | June 8–12, 2026 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 54% | 26% | 2%[n] | 18% |
| University of New Hampshire[79] | April 16–20, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 56% | 25% | 1%[l] | 18% |
| University of New Hampshire[81] | February 12–16, 2026 | 620 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 59% | 23% | 2%[m] | 16% |
| Suffolk University[82][B] | November 19–23, 2025 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.4% | 52% | 29% | — | 19% |
Hypothetical polling
- Ed Markey vs. Charlie Baker
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Ed Markey (D) |
Charlie Baker (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass Amherst/YouGov[115][A] | February 14–20, 2025 | 700 (A) | ± 4.8% | 35% | 33% | — | 33% |
| MassINC Polling Group[116] | October 29 – November 1, 2024 | 582 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 34% | 40% | 7%[o] | 19% |
Notes
- Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
- William Francis Gates with 1.8%
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - With voters who lean towards a given candidate
- "Would not vote" with 2%
- "Would not vote" with 1%
- William Gates with 1%
- "Another candidate" with 4%; William Francis Gates with 1%
- 'Write in someone else' with 3%
- The Economist's prediction model uses unconventional terminology. For the purpose of equivalency, their "Very Likely" ratings are formatted as a "Likely" rating while "Likely" ratings are formatted as a "Lean" rating.
- "Refused" with 1%
- "Another candidate" with 1%
- "Another candidate with 2%
- "Refused" with 2%
- "Would not vote for Senate" & "Another candidate" with 3%; "Prefer not to say" with 1%
- Partisan clients