In a decisive victory, Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly supported Sen. Ed Markey in the Democratic Senate primary, rejecting Rep. Seth Moulton’s campaign that centered on anti-transgender rhetoric. The race highlighted a stark contrast in the Democratic Party’s approach to transgender rights, with Markey’s unwavering support proving to be a significant factor in his victory.
The primary results were a clear indication of where Massachusetts Democrats stand on the issue of transgender rights. Markey received 556,865 votes, or 64.88 percent, compared to Moulton’s 301,372 votes, or 35.12 percent. With 91 percent of the estimated vote reported, Markey led by 255,493 votes, a nearly 30-point margin.
Trans Rights as the Defining Issue
The campaign took a dramatic turn when Moulton began focusing on transgender athletes, a topic that became a litmus test for the Democratic Party’s commitment to its base. Moulton’s remarks, which suggested that transgender girls were not genuine girls, drew widespread condemnation from LGBTQ+ advocates and allies.
Markey, on the other hand, ran a campaign unapologetically in defense of transgender people. His strong stance on trans rights resonated with voters, as evidenced by the overwhelming support he received. Tyler Hack, executive director of the Christopher Street Project, noted that the victory sent a clear message: “Massachusetts rejected the idea that attacking transgender people is a shortcut to political power.”
Moulton’s Shift and Its Consequences
Moulton’s transformation began after the 2024 presidential election, when he started to distance himself from his previous support for LGBTQ+ legislation. In an interview with The New York Times, Moulton expressed concerns about his daughters “getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete.” This remark borrowed the right’s preferred fiction and was seen as an attempt to appeal to a broader, more conservative base.
Despite his legislative record, which included support for the Equality Act and the Transgender Bill of Rights, Moulton’s rhetoric on transgender athletes created a contradiction that many voters found hard to reconcile. His attempts to apologize and contextualize his comments during an August debate were met with skepticism, as Markey accused him of throwing transgender children “under the political bus.”
The Broader Implications
The primary results carried a lesson beyond Massachusetts. The victory highlighted the importance of consistency and unwavering support for marginalized communities. Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson emphasized that Markey’s consistency on equality matters was a key factor in his success.
As Moulton conceded and pledged to support Markey in the general election, the focus shifted to the broader implications of the race. The results sent a clear message that Democrats who abandon progressive principles in pursuit of political power will face significant backlash from their base.
The primary also underscored the importance of generational change within the Democratic Party. While Moulton positioned himself as a younger, more dynamic candidate, his older politics ultimately failed to resonate with voters. Markey’s victory demonstrated that progressive principles remain a cornerstone of the Democratic Party’s identity.
