As U.S. Sen. Ed Markey campaigns for renomination ahead of the Sept. 1 Democratic primary against U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, the longtime senator says the breadth of his endorsements demonstrates support for his progressive agenda and decades of work on issues ranging from climate change to healthcare and civil rights.
Markey repeatedly pointed to endorsements from elected officials, labor organizations and advocacy groups as evidence that his record aligns with Democratic voters across Massachusetts.
He pointed to U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, and U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who have endorsed him “because they know I look ahead and lead the way on the key issues of today.”
Markey also referenced Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson’s endorsement while discussing transportation priorities for the region, saying the two have worked closely together on infrastructure funding.
“I work very closely with Mayor Nicholson,” Markey said.
Markey said voters will decide whether Massachusetts should continue sending “a progressive leader” to Washington. He said endorsements from labor unions and advocacy organizations reinforce that message.
“I’m so proud to have been endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, by the Human Rights Campaign, by the AFL-CIO, by all of the key groups who believe in women’s healthcare, reproductive protections,” Markey said. “They are all backing me in this race because they know that I have had their back.”
He said the support he has received from progressive organizations reflects the direction he believes Democratic voters want the party to take.
“I think that the support that I’ve gathered from the progressive wing of our state and our country is a reflection of what this race is ultimately going to be about on Sept. 1,” Markey said. “I feel very confident that the people want a clear progressive leader standing up to Donald Trump, fighting Donald Trump every single day, while advancing a progressive vision for what our country should stand for.”
Markey also said he has earned support from younger Democrats through his work on climate change, civil rights and social issues.
“I’ve been endorsed by the Sunrise Movement. I’ve been endorsed by the Progressive Movement of Massachusetts. I’ve been endorsed by the College Democrats of Massachusetts. The High School Democrats of Massachusetts have endorsed me because of all the work which I have done with those communities,” he said.
According to his campaign, among his endorsements are: Sen. Brendan Crighton, state Reps. Jenny Armini, Dan Cahill, Sean Reid, and former Rep. Lori Ehrlich, District Attorney Paul Tucker, Register of Deeds Eileen Duff, Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger, Mayor Nicholson and former Lynn Mayor Thomas M. McGee, North Shore Indivisible and North Shore Labor Council AFL-CIO.
The Democratic primary between Markey and Moulton is scheduled for Sept. 1.
