Sen. Markey responds to Moulton-Deaton interparty primary debate

Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald on Jun 21, 2026

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After skipping out on the state’s first-ever interparty primary debate between Senate challengers Republican John Deaton and fellow Democrat Rep. Seth Moulton, Sen. Ed Markey called on his primary challenger to release financial disclosure forms and said he was ready to debate.

“I’m ready to debate Seth Moulton, and in the fall, I’m ready to debate Mr. Deaton as well,” Markey said in a WBZ-TV segment with Jon Keller aired Sunday. “I’m ready to go. Looking forward to having that discussion of the issues.”

Markey also locked in on Moulton’s financial interests, calling on him to release his financial disclosure forms.

“Congressman Moulton has refused to release his personal financial disclosure statement, which I have released, which all other members of the House and Senate have released, but he has not released it,” said Markey. “The voters of Massachusetts have a right to see those investments made by Congressman Moulton in the companies that appear before him on his committee and that have enriched him to the tune of millions of dollars.”

Ahead of the September primary – in which Moulton and Markey will face off for the Democrat slot, while Deaton remains unchallenged – the senator’s two challengers took to the debate stage moderated by Keller last Tuesday night. Markey, the incumbent, declined to take part in the first-of-its kind interparty primary debate.

Markey said in the Sunday segment that he did watch the debate and responded to several of Moulton’s statements.

“This is the most energized I have ever been,” Markey responded to Moulton’s claim Massachusetts needs “a fighter.”

“I have voted against more of Donald Trump’s nominees than any other member of the U.S. Senate,” he continued. “I was the first senator to call for the abolition of ICE. I get up every single morning saying that I have to fight for working families in our state who have been harmed by this Trump agenda in 2025 and 2026.”

Asked about Moulton’s criticism of his votes to confirm Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and for 61 Trump judge nominees, Markey called his vote for Rubio “a mistake.”

“So, since then, I have voted against every single one of Donald Trump’s nominees for everything, because I realize that this MAGA-controlled Republican Party does not allow any nominee to actually act in a way which is consistent with the protection of the public interest, the interests of ordinary families in our state,” Markey said.

On whether he could continue to support Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a new term, who Moulton has criticized, the incumbent said he was open to a “discussion” of change.

“I’m focused right now on winning the House and Senate, but I do agree that we do need – after we win the House and Senate – that work remains to be done, ensuring that we have a discussion of new leadership, new ideas, new directions for our country,” Markey said.

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