Markey canvasses in Newton for Senate primary

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Ed Markey speaks with City Councilors Sean Roche and Tarik Lucas and State Rep. Greg Schwartz before canvassing for votes on June 14, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Primary election season is in full-throttle, with Republicans and Democrats vying for their respective parties’ nominations for various state and federal elected offices.

Knocking on doors in Newton on Sunday morning was U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, who’s being challenged for his seat by Democratic U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton.

Markey met with supporters at the Newton Centre Playground with a rousing speech and some photo ops before the crowd ventured out into the city to champion their candidate.

“You’ve always been here for Newton,” State Rep. Schwartz said as he introduced the senator. “In my short time at the state level, you have been everywhere. I turn around, and there’s Ed Markey, fighting against the Trump administration, speaking out for gay and lesbian rights, for labor rights, even medical labor rights—the primary care physicians at Mass General/Brigham have been trying to unionize, and you’ve been there for them.”

Markey called the Trump administration’s agenda “a direct assault on Massachusetts and who we are.”

He didn’t hold back any punches when it came to his primary opponent, either, for Moulton’s controversial comments about transgender athletes, stock trading and other matters.

“I do not trade in stocks for the businesses that appear before my committee, which is what Seth Moulton does,” Markey said. “We have to enrich, not ourselves, but the people we represent. This is going to be a very clear choice that we’re presenting.”

Markey paid special honor to Martina Jackson, longtime political activist and public policy chair of the Massachusetts Democratic party. He nicknamed her the “Beyonce” of Democratic volunteers.

“She’s just a perpetual motion machine,” Markey said of Jackson.

The primary is set for Sept. 1.

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