Moulton, Deaton to participate in Massachusetts' first-ever interparty primary debate

Tim Dunn, Boston Herald on May 14, 2026

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U.S. Senate candidates John Deaton and Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton will be participating in the first-ever interparty primary debate in Massachusetts, accepting challenges to join a debate.

The two are set to face off on WBZ in a forum hosted by John Keller on June 16, as incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., has yet to respond to the debate challenge.

“This all basically started because I think the Democrats had made a comment about debates and Seth had tagged Ed Markey saying we should lead by example. So then I tagged Seth and said, ‘I agree. Let’s all lead by example and do a three-way debate,” Deaton, the sole Republican candidate, explained to The Boston Herald.

“Seth had responded to me, agreeing to debate, saying, ‘John, on one condition: You agree to debate even if Senator Markey doesn’t show up.’ I’ll debate these guys anywhere, anytime, because I believe I have the right vision for Massachusetts, so I’m looking forward to it,” he said, referring to a series of posts to X between the two on May 4.

Moulton’s campaign says the Democratic challenger is also looking forward to the debate, while also taking an expected swipe at President Donald Trump and slamming Markey for refusing to answer whether he’ll join the two on the debate stage.

“Seth Moulton believes we should lead by example and be willing to debate issues and answer tough questions. So far, Ed Markey has refused to debate,” Moulton Campaign Spokesperson Taylor Hebble told the Herald in a written statement. “We look forward to debating the racist and harmful policies of the Trump administration with John Deaton, and will keep a chair for Senator Markey if he finally decides to show up and face the voters.”

Markey has not officially accepted or denied the debate challenge, using the typical playbook for incumbents and ignoring his challengers. The Herald has also reached out to Markey’s campaign for comment on the snubbed debate requests.

But Markey is no stranger to debates, even during challenging and what some may call dangerous times.

The junior Massachusetts senator participated in a total of five debates, live and in-person, during the COVID-19 pandemic, four of which were against then-challenger Joe Kennedy III in the 2020 election. Markey also participated in a general election debate against Republican challenger Kevin O’Connor, all while navigating public health restrictions.

On February 18, 2020, Markey and Kennedy participated in a debate on WGBH-TV (Boston public radio) that was moderated by hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. That same day, the pair debated on Telemundo Boston (WBTS-CD) in a broadcast for the area’s Spanish-speaking voters.

Then, on June 1, 2020, Markey and Kennedy brought the debate stage to western Massachusetts, participating in a multi-station debate hosted by WCVB, WBUR, The Boston Globe, and the University of Massachusetts. That debate focused on the handling of the pandemic and national unrest.

Kennedy and Markey then debated on June 8 and June 12, 2020 on Providence TV station WPRI-TV to suite Massachusetts residents living on the south coast of the state.

On July 26, NBC Boston and NECN hosted Markey and Kennedy for a debate on the pandemic response by the federal government and social justice issues of the time.

Kennedy and Markey debated one last time on Aug. 11, 2020 on WCVB-TV in a debate hosted by John Keller.

Markey then debated his Republican challenger in the general election, Kevin O’Connor, in a debate on WGBH-TV and GBH radio, again hosted by Braude and Eagan.

“I hope Senator Markey joins. I think the people of Massachusetts, considering the challenges this Commonwealth faces today, on affordability, on so many housing, electricity, healthcare, childcare, lack of private sector job growth, 1.1 million people on food stamps. We have serious challenges, and the people of Massachusetts deserve a good look at all three of the potential candidates to be their next senator,” Deaton said.

The parameters of the upcoming June debate, as well as the specific topics, have not yet been worked out, according to the campaigns.