Sen. Ed Markey showed this week that age is just a number in the Massachusetts Democratic primary — at least if you’re liberal enough.
The 80‑year‑old thumped Rep. Seth Moulton 64.9% to 35.1% in a race that tested the party’s ideological and generational divisions.
Mr. Moulton, a 47-year-old Marine combat veteran, ran on generational change, arguing Mr. Markey was out of touch with the challenges facing younger Americans.
But Mr. Markey had the backing of the party’s biggest liberal names — Sens. Bernard Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley — giving him a powerful boost heading into primary night.
“Tonight is a testament to the power of the progressive movement,” Mr. Markey said at his election night party. “It is a progressive movement fueled by young people demanding more from their leaders.”
For his part, Mr. Moulton said the state needed “new leadership for a new era,” pitching himself as a younger, more energetic alternative. He argued Washington was too slow, too entrenched and that Mr. Markey had been in office for decades without delivering enough results.
Tuesday was also a banner night for other baby boomers in Massachusetts.
Rep. Richard Neal, 77, won his race in the 1st Congressional District, and Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, 71, held off Patrick Roath by a 55.2% to 44.8% margin in the 8th Congressional District — a reminder that center‑left incumbents still have a home in one of the bluest states in the country.
Mr. Roath, a 39‑year‑old former aide to Gov. Deval Patrick, also ran on generational change, raising doubts about Mr. Lynch’s age and challenging him from the left.
He criticized Mr. Lynch for voting against Obamacare and for supporting a bill named after slain nursing student Laken Riley that pressed the Department of Homeland Security to detain and deport illegal immigrants who commit even relatively minor crimes, such as shoplifting.
Mr. Roath backed abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, restricting aid to Israel and giving voters Medicare for All. He had support from liberal activist David Hogg’s group, Leaders We Deserve, a political action committee dedicated to electing young left-wingers to Congress and state legislatures.
Mr. Lynch leaned on his experience and union support, arguing his moderate brand is what the party needs to govern.
In the 1st Congressional District, Mr. Neal survived a challenge from Jeromie Whalen by a 53.7% to 46.3% margin.
Mr. Whalen, a 39‑year‑old high school teacher, also supported abolishing ICE and cutting off U.S. military aid to Israel.
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