Sen. Ed Markey released his 2025 tax returns Tuesday and challenged Rep. Seth Moulton to release his own financial records ahead of their Democratic primary showdown.

Markey and Moulton are competing in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts’ U.S. Senate seat ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.  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.”

“The people of Massachusetts deserve a clear and complete picture of the financial interests, investments, and potential conflicts of those seeking to represent them in Washington,” Markey said in a press release to the Swampscott Tides. “I am releasing my tax return, and I am calling on Congressman Moulton to do the same. Voters have a right to transparency and honesty from their elected representatives. We are accountable to them, not investment interests, CEOs, or shareholders.”

Catherine Harries, the press secretary for Moulton, sent a statement to the Swampscott Tides upon request, noting that the representative is “fully committed to absolute transparency and will release his 2025 tax returns. “

“Like millions of families across the country, Seth and his wife, Liz, file jointly and requested a standard extension earlier this year,” Harries wrote. “Following a media inquiry on June 8, Seth immediately instructed their financial preparers to expedite the finalization and filing of their returns. Our campaign will make those documents public as soon as they are finalized and well before the primary election.”

Advocates of financial disclosure argue that releasing tax returns promotes public trust and helps identify potential conflicts of interest. Tax disclosures can help voters assess whether elected officials have financial interests that could influence their decisions or create incentives for personal gain.

“What is Congressman Moulton hiding?” said Markey’s campaign manager, Cam Charbonnier. “Financial transparency for Senators is not a choice—it’s a responsibility that comes with asking for the public’s trust. Congressman Moulton should release his taxes and personal financial disclosure now. The public should not have to wait until after voting has already begun to see basic information about this candidate’s finances.” 

Moulton and his wife, Liz, received a six-month extension to file their 2025 tax returns. Moulton recently purchased a $3.1 million home in Marblehead.

Moulton also asked for an extension on his congressional financial disclosures, which are typically due on May 15. The extension moves the deadline to August 13, less than three weeks before the September 1 primary and nine days before early voting begins.

Moulton’s campaign has made age and health a central issue, calling on candidates — including the 79-year-old Markey — to release their medical records. Moulton has argued that Markey is too old to serve another six year term, suggesting that there needs to be a change in office.

“In the interest of total accountability to the voters of the Commonwealth, our campaign is also challenging every Senate candidate to publicly release their health and medical records,” Harries told the Swampscott Tides. “As candidates for the US Senate, each is asking voters for a 6-year term. We believe it’s important for voters to know that every candidate is up to the challenge.  Seth is prepared to release his health and medical records and hopes that every other candidate is willing to do the same.”

Markey’s tax return shows he reported roughly $250,000 in income in 2025, including about $145,000 from his Senate salary.

Markey did file separately from his wife, Susan Blumenthal, who is a physician and former U.S. assistant surgeon general.

Markey also donated $8,850 to charity. 

Moulton and the presumptive Republican nominee, John Deaton, are both poised to meet in a pre-primary inter-party debate Tuesday night at 9 p.m. on TV38, streaming on WBZ.com. 

Markey had declined the invitation to participate in the June 16 debate. 

Polling from May suggests Markey has a five-point lead over Moulton. The Emerson College Polling found Markey leading 37% to 32%, with 29% of voters undecided.

An April 15 poll  by the Suffolk University Political Research Center and the Boston Globe showed 79-year-old incumbent Markey at 47%, while 47-year-old Iraq War veteran Moulton had edged up to 30.4%.

The primary is September 1, with early voting starting August 22.