Representative Seth Moulton (D-Mass) declared on Wednesday his intention to challenge Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass) for his Senate position in Massachusetts, contending that the veteran lawmaker, who has held office since 1976, is “too old.”
In an interview with the Boston Globe, Moulton remarked, “Sure, every political consultant might advise against this, but the truth is, yes, he is too old.”
The congressman continued, “Senator Markey is a nice person, but he has been in Congress for half a century and will be 86 by the end of his next term as our junior senator.”
Moulton, a 46-year-old Iraq War veteran and six-term congressman, recognized that he shares many views with Markey but emphasized, “It’s time for a new generation of leaders for both the Democrats and the country.”
In his campaign announcement video, Moulton referenced lessons learned from the 2024 presidential race, which saw Kamala Harris defeated by President Trump after she replaced Biden on the Democratic ticket, amidst rising worries regarding his age and mental fitness.
“We’re facing a crisis, and given everything we learned in the last election, I don’t believe Sen. Markey should be pursuing another six-year term at 80 years old,” Moulton stated in the video. “Furthermore, I don’t think someone who has been in Congress for fifty years is the right leader to navigate this moment and secure our future.”
Last July, Moulton urged Biden to step aside in an op-ed for the Boston Globe, sharing that the then-president “didn’t seem to recognize me” during a small group rendezvous at a D-Day commemoration in Normandy earlier that year.
He also criticized Democratic leadership, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Moulton asserted, “Real people all over Massachusetts are suffering because Democratic leaders aren’t doing enough to win. We need to take a hard look at ourselves and admit: it’s time for a change.”
He also indicated to the Boston Globe that if he were elected, he would “oppose Senator Schumer for majority leader, as I feel our party needs new energy.”
The congressman promised to advocate for “significant, forward-thinking, progressive solutions” if he were to secure a Senate position.
In particular, he pointed to priorities such as “universal healthcare,” “high-speed rail,” “affordable housing,” “banning assault weapons,” and “combating climate change” as key issues he would tackle.
As of now, Markey’s campaign has not responded to inquiries from The Post.
