WORCESTER — U.S. Senator Ed Markey won the Massachusetts Democratic Party's endorsement at the state convention in Worcester, receiving nearly 73% of delegate support in a contest against U.S. Representative Seth Moulton. Both candidates qualified for the September 1 Democratic primary ballot, as party rules require at least 15% delegate backing for statewide candidates.

Markey received 2,744 delegate votes (72.94%), while Moulton received 1,018 votes (27.06%) out of 4,013 total delegates, according to state Democratic Party Chairman Steve Kerrigan. In his convention speech before more than 4,000 delegates, Markey framed the upcoming election as a pivotal moment, saying, "You have a choice, you have to decide what the future looks like and what you're going to demand." He added, "Do we want a country that grows the working class? Or one that is beholden to billionaires and corrupt power?"

Markey, who has served in Congress for nearly 40 years before winning a Senate seat in 2013, emphasized economic justice and contrasted his vision with that of former President Donald Trump. "Trump sold out basic needs for corporate greed," he said. "It is time we stop giving tax breaks to those who trade stocks over those who punch clocks." He also addressed social issues, declaring to loud cheers, "Massachusetts deserves better than a senator who scapegoats trans kids."

Moulton, first elected to the House in 2014 and a Marine Corps veteran who served four tours in Iraq, centered his campaign on generational change. In his nomination speech, he argued the Democratic Party needed more than "incremental change" and needed to start anew. "It's time for the generation that grew up with the internet, and will have to live for decades with AI, to lead our way through it," he said. He also criticized Trump, stating, "Sometimes when I tuck Emmy and Caroline into bed, they ask if there are any monsters out there. And the truth is that there is a monster. And he’s in the White House. And I will not rest until he is behind bars."

Moulton drew criticism in 2024 for saying he did not want his daughters playing sports against transgender girls, with some party members accusing him of echoing Trump’s talking points. He later said his intent "was to point out that, as a party, we need to be willing to have difficult conversations." The two candidates have agreed to participate in one debate later in the summer.