Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has announced her endorsement of Ed Markey for re-election to the Senate.

Markey will face Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) in the Democratic primary ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. At 79, Markey would be among the oldest members of Congress if re-elected. In his re-election announcement on Instagram, Markey said his campaign is “about the people” and is “powered by grassroots supporters from every corner of our Commonwealth.”

“Sen. Markey has been a longstanding partner for Boston families, standing strong on our values and delivering results by bringing resources and solutions,” Wu said. “He is a bold leader on national issues like climate, health care, and economic justice, while also delivering reliable and responsive constituent services for residents every day. I am grateful for our continued partnership here in Boston and pleased to endorse him for re-election.”

Markey and Wu have partnered to strengthen transit infrastructure, securing a $472 million investment to replace the North Shore Draw One Bridge and modernize rail capacity at North Station.

The two have also worked to advance clean energy and climate resilience efforts, support improvements in Franklin Park and back neighborhood initiatives that serve working families and young people.

Markey and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) introduced the Freedom to Move Act in partnership with Wu to expand on Boston’s fare-free transit pilots.

“Mayor Michelle Wu is one of the boldest and most visionary leaders in America today. I am deeply honored to earn Michelle’s endorsement,” Markey said. “Michelle leads with courage, clarity, and compassion, always putting working families first and never backing down from a tough fight. Michelle and I don’t just share values. We deliver results. From confronting the climate crisis to protecting our immigrant communities, to expanding affordable housing and building a city where every neighborhood can thrive, she is shaping the future of Boston with urgency. Together, we will continue to fight back against Donald Trump’s chaos, protect our neighborhoods, and make sure Boston stays No. 1 in innovation, in equity, and in opportunity.”

Markey, who grew up in Malden, was elected to serve the remainder of John Kerry’s Senate term after Kerry was appointed U.S. secretary of state in 2013. He then went on to be elected to a full term in the Senate in 2014 and was re-elected in 2020 against challenger Joseph Kennedy III. 

Markey had served 20 terms – 18 full and two partial – as the representative for the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District from 1976 to 2013. Before that, he was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1973 to 1976. 

The senator announced last week that he will boycott President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 24. Markey, along with ens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) along with Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Becca Balint (D-VT), Greg Casar (D-TX), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), John Larson (D-CT), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) will join the “People’s State of the Union” hosted by MeidasTouch and MoveOn Civic Action. 

Markey has also recently been endorsed by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA). The Boston-area hospitality and food service workers union, Unite Here Local 26, as well as the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC) also announced their endorsement of Markey.

Polling from the fall shows Markey with a sizable lead. A Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll conducted November 25 found Markey ahead of Moulton, 45% to 22%, among Massachusetts registered voters. An earlier UMass Amherst/WCVB poll from November showed 51% support for Markey compared to 28% for Moulton.

Moulton closed out 2025 with $3.1 million in cash on hand, according to data from the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Markey finished out the year with almost $2.77 million in cash on hand. 

The Democratic Senate primary is scheduled for September 1.