4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
4 candidates · ballot order · Ed Markey currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
A consistently progressive agenda, which he made the explicit contrast in his primary.
Climate action; he is a longtime lead sponsor of climate legislation in both chambers.
Telecommunications and technology policy, his specialism across five decades in Congress.
Health care access and consumer protection.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Senator from Massachusetts since July 2013.
U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, 1976–2013 — 37 years in the House before entering the Senate.
Won the September 1 2026 Democratic primary with roughly two-thirds of the vote against U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton.
Aged 80; has stated that if re-elected, this will be his final term.
Ran to the left of his primary opponent and was backed by Massachusetts Democrats on that basis.
Arguments in favor
Massachusetts Democrats chose his consistent progressive record over a generational argument, and did so decisively — roughly two-thirds of the primary vote against a sitting member of Congress.
— NBC News and WBUR reporting on the primary result
Fifty years of legislative experience across both chambers, particularly on climate and telecommunications, gives Massachusetts seniority that a freshman could not replace.
— Ed Markey for Senate campaign
He has committed to this being his last term, which supporters argue answers the succession concern without giving up the seniority now.
— Sen. Ed Markey, as reported by Time
Arguments against
He should have retired rather than seek another term at 80 — the case for change is generational, and Congress should have an age limit written into the Constitution.
— U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, his Democratic primary opponent
He has been in Washington since before his primary opponent was born, and that length of tenure is itself the problem.
— U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, as reported by NBC News
Washington needs restored accountability and has failed on the affordability crisis facing working families across the Commonwealth — a failure of the incumbents, him included.
— John Deaton, his Republican opponent
What we couldn’t verify
His specific second-term legislative priorities; primary coverage focused on the generational contest rather than on his agenda.
His position on the filibuster.
Whether he has addressed succession planning for the seat given his stated final term.
Addressing the affordability crisis facing working families.
A balanced energy policy that lowers energy costs, protects American jobs and moves toward cleaner, affordable American energy.
Positioning himself as a pragmatic outsider frustrated with both parties rather than as a party-line Republican.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Marine Corps, 1995–2002.
Attorney; bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University and a J.D. from New England School of Law.
Represented more than 75,000 cryptocurrency token holders worldwide after the SEC sued Ripple in 2020; founded CryptoLaw in 2021.
Won the 2024 Republican Senate primary and lost the general election to Elizabeth Warren by nearly 20 points.
Effectively cleared the Republican field for the 2026 nomination.
Has not committed to supporting a Republican for Senate leader if elected, saying he would consider members of either party.
Has distanced himself from President Trump and the MAGA movement.
His 2026 campaign does not centre cryptocurrency as a policy issue, though it accepts crypto donations.
Arguments in favor
He is a Marine veteran who grew up in poverty and built a legal career on his own, running on accountability and affordability rather than on national party politics.
— John Deaton for U.S. Senate campaign
He has declined to commit to backing a Republican for Senate leader and says he would consider members of either party — evidence, he argues, that he would represent Massachusetts rather than a party.
— John Deaton, in an interview with Axios Boston
Arguments against
He already ran statewide in 2024 and lost by nearly 20 points, and is now attempting to reinvent the same candidacy rather than offering voters something new.
— Axios Boston reporting on his 2026 campaign
He built his profile as a pro-crypto candidate and has now dropped crypto as a policy issue while still accepting cryptocurrency donations — a repositioning critics read as opportunistic.
— Axios Boston and Decrypt reporting on his campaign
What we couldn’t verify
No general election attack material from Democrats or the DSCC could be located, the primary having concluded only four days before this research. Arguments against him here come from reporting rather than from an opposing campaign, and are fewer than for his opponent; this is worth revisiting closer to the election.
His positions on abortion, immigration and health care.
His campaign fundraising for this cycle.
Whether his distance from President Trump has cost him support among Massachusetts Republicans.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Roster established from the Washington Post, NBC News, WBUR, Axios Boston and NPR, cross-checked. The Massachusetts primary was held on September 1 2026. Democratic incumbent Ed Markey defeated U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton decisively, taking roughly two-thirds of the vote; William Gates and Alexander Rikleen also ran. John Deaton effectively cleared the Republican field, with Nathan Bech also on the primary ballot.
Two further candidates are on the November ballot, per the Secretary of the Commonwealth's list of state election candidates: independent Shiva Ayyadurai and Joe Tache of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Morgan Dawicki, also named in earlier coverage, is not on that list. Candidates are listed in the Secretary of the Commonwealth's order.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Massachusetts ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.