A new poll released by the Suffolk University Political Research Center and the Boston Globe shows that 49-year incumbent Sen. Ed Markey holding nearly a 20-point lead over opponent Rep. Seth Moulton.
The April 15 poll shows 79-year-old incumbent Markey at 47%, below the 50% threshold, while 47-year-old Iraq War veteran Moulton has edged up to 30.4%.
Markey and Moulton are set to face off in the Democratic primary ahead of the 2026 midterms. Moulton has called for a “new generation of leaders who listen more to the people that we represent and honestly represent their needs and concerns,” while Markey has said his bid is “about the people” and “powered by grassroots supporters from every corner of our Commonwealth.”
“This poll confirms what we are hearing from every corner of the Commonwealth: voters respect Sen. Markey’s service, but they know a 1970’s playbook cannot solve the crises of 2026,” said Moulton’s campaign spokesperson Taylor Hebble. “We cannot defeat Donald Trump and his corrupt administration with the same status quo that’s been in place for 50 years. When 72% of our own party is dissatisfied with the results in Washington, it’s a clear signal that the old way of doing things is broken. Massachusetts isn’t looking for a career politician to cling to power; they’re looking for a fighter who understands the urgency of the mission. While Markey’s Super PAC has resorted to early, desperate attacks that have been proven false, this data shows those tactics are failing to distract voters.”
Markey’s team did not respond to comment.
The Suffolk University Political Research Center polling was released on April 15. The polling took place from April 9 to 13 through live interviews of cell phone and landline users. Markey’s margin ahead of Moulton slightly narrowed from the November polling, which showed a 23 point difference.
More than 20% of the 500 likely primary voters surveyed said they remain undecided ahead of the September 1 primary.
Moulton has made Markey’s age an issue in the race, questioning if he is too old to serve another six-year term. However, just 26% of likely Democratic voters polled indicated that Markey’s age would influence their vote “a lot,” while 36% said the age difference would influence them “a little,” and 32% said “none at all.”
“Although the general electorate of all voters indicate they are becoming less tolerant of older
incumbents, these Democratic primary voters put ideology above age differences,” said David
Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. “This could also turn
out to be good news for other older Democratic incumbents in Massachusetts, like Secretary of
State Bill Galvin (age 75), Congressman Richard Neal (age 77), and Senator Elizabeth Warren
(age 76).”
Markey leads in the poll among voters who identify as “liberal / very liberal” (52% to 29%). He also led among women (48% to 28%), older voters aged over 56 (50% to 28%) and union households (43% to 37%).
Moulton is slimly winning over voters who identify as “moderates” and “conservatives” (38% to 35%).
