2026 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

For related races, see 2026 United States Senate elections.
Not to be confused with 2026 Massachusetts Senate election.

2026 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
November 3, 2026
 
Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent U.S. senator

Ed Markey
Democratic



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 Senator Ed Markey, who was re-elected in 2020 with 66.2% of the vote, is running for a third full term.

Markey, who will be 80 years old at the time of the 2026 election, has faced calls to retire due to his age.[1] 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

Declined

Endorsements

Ed Markey
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
Labor unions
Organizations
Seth Moulton
U.S. representatives
Labor unions
Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Ed Markey (D) $5,728,942.90 $4,611,817.23 $2,769,102.27
Seth Moulton (D) $3,165,414.27 $1,911,413.75 $3,104,338.58
Alex Rikleen (D) $60,866.16 $59,111.15 $1,755.01
Source: Federal Election Commission[50]

Polling

Aggregate polls

Source of poll
aggregation 		Dates
administered 		Dates
updated 		Ed
Markey 		Seth
Moulton 		Alex
Rikleen 		Undecided[a] Margin
270toWin[51] November 3, 2025 - February 24, 2026 January 1, 2026 43.6% 26.4% 5.0% 25.0% Markey +17.2%
Race to the WH[52] through February 16, 2026 February 24, 2026 38.8% 24.3% 6.5% 30.4% Markey +14.5%
Average 41.2% 25.4% 5.8% 27.7% Markey +15.8%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[b] 		Margin
of error 		Ed
Markey 		Seth
Moulton 		Alex
Rikleen 		Other Undecided
University of New Hampshire[53] February 12–16, 2026 352 (LV) ± 5.2% 35% 23% 7% 5%[c] 30%
Suffolk University[54][A] November 19–23, 2025 226 (LV) ± 6.5% 45% 22% – – 33%
University of New Hampshire[55] November 13–17, 2025 343 (LV) ± 5.3% 34% 25% 2% 3%[d] 35%
Data for Progress (D)[56] October 23–26, 2025 652 (LV) ± 4.0% 53% 34% – – 13%
UMass Amherst/YouGov[57][B] October 21–29, 2025 416 (LV) ± 6.1% 51%[e] 28% 6% 1%[f] 14%
44% 25% 5% 1%[f] 25%
Advantage, Inc. (R)[58][C] September 23–24, 2025 278 (LV) ± 3.6% 30% 38% – – 32%
Hypothetical polling
Ed Markey vs. Ayanna Pressley
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[b] 		Margin
of error 		Ed
Markey 		Ayanna
Pressley 		Undecided
Advantage, Inc. (R)[58][C] September 23-24, 2025 278 (LV) ± 3.6% 34% 37% 28%
Ed Markey vs. Seth Moulton vs. Ayanna Pressley
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[b] 		Margin
of error 		Ed
Markey 		Seth
Moulton 		Ayanna
Pressley 		Other Undecided
Suffolk University[54][A] November 19–23, 2025 226 (LV) ± 6.5% 34% 16% 35% – 15%
Ed Markey vs. Seth Moulton vs. Ayanna Pressley vs. Alex Rikleen
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[b] 		Margin
of error 		Ed
Markey 		Seth
Moulton 		Ayanna
Pressley 		Alex
Rikleen 		Other Undecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov[57][B] October 21–29, 2025 416 (LV) ± 6.1% 35%[e] 25% 21% 5% 1%[f] 19%
31% 24% 20% 4% 1%[f] 24%
Seth Moulton vs. Ayanna Pressley vs. Michelle Wu vs. Joseph P. Kennedy III vs. Jake Auchincloss vs. Alex Rikleen
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[b] 		Margin
of error 		Seth
Moulton 		Ayanna
Pressley 		Michelle
Wu 		Joseph P.
Kennedy III 		Jake
Auchincloss 		Alex
Rikleen 		Other Undecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov[57][B] October 21–29, 2025 416 (LV) ± 6.1% 29%[e] 24% 19% 11% 6% 6% 1%[f] 4%
26% 23% 17% 9% 5% 3% 1%[f] 16%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

  • John Deaton, attorney and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024[59][60]

Formed exploratory committee

Publicly expressed interest

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

John Deaton
Political parties

Fundraising

Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.

Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Nathan Bech (R) $40,000 $29,791 $14,983
Source: Federal Election Commission[50]

Third parties and independents

Party for Socialism and Liberation

Candidates

Declared
  • Joe Tache, organizer[67]

Independents

Candidates

Declared
Filed paperwork
  • Morgan Dawicki[68]
  • Philip Peter Devincentis, Jr.[69]

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Morgan Dawicki (I) $8,111 $2,921 $5,191
Source: Federal Election Commission[50]

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Inside Elections[70] Solid D August 12, 2025
The Cook Political Report[71] Solid D October 14, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[72] Safe D August 12, 2025
Race To The WH[73] Safe D September 4, 2025

Polling

Ed Markey vs. John Deaton
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[b] 		Margin
of error 		Ed
Markey (D) 		John
Deaton (R) 		Other Undecided
University of New Hampshire[53] February 12–16, 2026 620 (LV) ± 3.9% 56% 27% 2%[g] 15%
Cygnal (R)[74][D] January 22–25, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 54% 30% – 16%
Suffolk University[54][A] November 19–23, 2025 500 (RV) ± 4.4% 54% 31% – 15%
SurveyUSA[75][E] February 28 – March 4, 2025 775 (RV) – 45% 26% – 30%
Seth Moulton vs. John Deaton
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[b] 		Margin
of error 		Seth
Moulton (D) 		John
Deaton (R) 		Other Undecided
University of New Hampshire[53] February 12–16, 2026 620 (LV) ± 3.9% 59% 23% 2%[g] 16%
Suffolk University[54][A] 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[b] 		Margin
of error 		Ed
Markey (D) 		Charlie
Baker (R) 		Other Undecided
UMass Amherst/YouGov[76][B] February 14–20, 2025 700 (A) ± 4.8% 35% 33% – 33%
MassINC Polling Group[77] October 29 – November 1, 2024 582 (LV) ± 4.9% 34% 40% 7%[h] 19%

Notes

  1. ^ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  3. ^ "Another candidate" with 4%; William Francis Gates with 1%
  4. ^ 'Write in someone else' with 3%
  5. ^ a b c With voters who lean towards a given candidate
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Would not vote" with 1%
  7. ^ a b "Another candidate with 2%
  8. ^ "Would not vote for Senate" & "Another candidate" with 3%; "Prefer not to say" with 1%
Partisan clients
  1. ^ a b c d Poll sponsored by The Boston Globe
  2. ^ a b c d Poll sponsored by WCVB
  3. ^ a b Poll sponsored by the Fiscal Alliance Foundation
  4. ^ Poll sponsored by Deaton's campaign
  5. ^ Poll sponsored by the Massachusetts Responsible Alliance

References

  1. ^ Keller, Jon (October 20, 2024). "Is it time for Ed Markey to step aside? Chairman of Massachusetts Democrats weighs in". CBS News. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  2. ^ Manchester, Julia (October 19, 2025). "Moulton tests age as campaign issue with Markey challenge". The Hill. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  3. ^ "Moulton supports Congressional age cap". GBH. October 20, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  4. ^ "New poll finds that Markey, Healey lead MA Senate, governor races". Worcester Telegram. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  5. ^ Medsger, Matthew (October 27, 2024). "Ed Markey says he will seek a third term in 2026, when he will be 80 years old". Boston Herald.
  6. ^ Brodey, Sam (September 23, 2025). "Seth Moulton believed to be weighing 2026 primary challenge to Ed Markey". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 24, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ^ "Moulton launches challenge to Markey, arguing Democrats can no longer afford to 'follow same old playbook' - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  8. ^ Garrity, Kelly (May 30, 2025). "Meet Markey's primary challenger". Politico. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  9. ^ Brodey, Sam (September 17, 2025). "Auchincloss rules out Markey challenge to focus on leading new national Democratic group". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  10. ^ Jopan, Tai; Brodey, Sam (December 2, 2025). "Pressley won't challenge Markey, will run for re-election". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  11. ^ Stout, Matt (June 25, 2025). "In early show of political muscle, Ed Markey gets Elizabeth Warren's endorsement". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c "Sen. Collins and Rep. Hunt join latest group of Markey endorsers". Dorchester Reporter. September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "Sen. Markey endorsed by Rep. Keating as 2026 reelection campaign ramps up". WPRI. August 21, 2025. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  14. ^ Castellano, Jessie (July 31, 2025). "This Local Congressman Endorsed Sen. Ed Markey For Reelection". Patch Media. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  15. ^ Micek, John (July 8, 2025). "Western Mass.'s most powerful pol endorses Ed Markey's 2026 reelection bid". The Republican. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  16. ^ Prichard, Matt (November 26, 2025). "Trahan on Democrats' hopes for 2026". NBC Boston. Retrieved November 27, 2025. Trahan is also keeping an eye on the Bay State's Senate race. Earlier this year she endorsed incumbent Ed Markey. The congresswoman says she plans to stick with that decision even if others, like Rep. Ayanna Pressley, join the fray.
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  23. ^ a b c d e Garrity, Kelly (July 1, 2025). "Markey marks his territory". Politico. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  24. ^ "Boston Mayor Wu endorses 79-year-old Ed Markey's Senate reelection bid". Boston Herald. February 23, 2026. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  25. ^ Cristantiello, Ross (December 9, 2025). "Filmmaker Ken Burns endorses Ed Markey". Boston.com. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
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  32. ^ Dumcius, Gintautas (March 12, 2026). "Taking a pass on gas". MASSterList. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
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  34. ^ "Beacon Hill's credit check". Politico. November 3, 2025. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
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  36. ^ Dumcius, Gintautas (January 15, 2026). "The ghost of Willie Horton". Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  37. ^ Garrity, Kelly (January 21, 2026). "Dems on thin ICE over immigration enforcement reform". Politico. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  38. ^ Garrity, Kelly (October 30, 2025). "Wu's school speech". Politico. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
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  41. ^ "Jewish Dems Endorsed Candidates". Jewish Democratic Council of America. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  42. ^ "CANDIDATES". JAC. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
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  48. ^ "Teamsters endorse Moulton for Senate". January 29, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  49. ^ "UWUA Endorses Seth Moulton for Senate". Utility Workers Union of America. January 20, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
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  64. ^ Altimari, Daniela; Ellen McIntire, Mary (January 7, 2025). "An early look at potentially vulnerable senators in 2026". Roll Call. Retrieved January 7, 2025. Baker is currently the head of the NCAA and a spokesman for the organization dismissed the rumors, saying Baker is 'not running for any political office.'
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  67. ^ Evans, Jordan Willow (October 20, 2025). "Party for Socialism and Liberation's Joseph Tache Announces U.S. Senate Campaign in Massachusetts". Independent Political Report. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  68. ^ "Morgan G Dawicki | Independent Candidate for U.S. Senate". votemgd.com. March 21, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  69. ^ "Form 2 for Report FEC-1880236". Federal Election Commission. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
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  73. ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
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  75. ^ "Once Messaging is Shared, Republican John Deaton Leads Democrat Ed Markey in MA 2026 US Senate Race, Despite Deeply Unpopular Trump". SurveyUSA. March 6, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  76. ^ Medsger, Matthew (February 26, 2025). "Charlie Baker 'does not intend to run' for Senate, despite poll showing him right on Ed Markey's heels". Boston Herald. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
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Official campaign websites
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