Lucas: Moulton searches Dems’ cave-in for election clout
In a surprising turn of events, U.S. Representative Seth Moulton is intensifying his campaign against U.S. Senator Ed Markey, criticizing him for not vocally opposing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer following a recent Senate vote that reopened the government. Moulton, who is gearing up for a primary challenge against the 79-year-old Markey in the 2026 elections, has taken a bold stance, calling for “a new generation of leadership” in the Democratic Party. This comes in the wake of a controversial Senate vote where eight defecting Democrats joined Republicans to end the government shutdown, a move that Moulton claims demonstrates Schumer’s ineffective leadership. In a politically charged statement, Moulton argued that if Schumer were truly effective, he would have united his caucus to oppose the reopening of the government, which he believes has compromised crucial health care protections.
The backdrop of this political drama is the recent government shutdown, which many Democrats, including Markey and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, initially supported in an effort to protect healthcare benefits. Markey, in particular, has defended his votes against reopening the government, emphasizing his commitment to health care as a priority. However, Moulton’s criticisms underscore a growing divide within the Democratic Party, especially as he attempts to position himself as a fresh alternative to the established political figures like Markey and Schumer. The generational clash is palpable, with Moulton, a 47-year-old Marine combat veteran, representing a younger, more aggressive approach to leadership compared to the long-standing incumbents.
Moulton’s challenge is complicated by the fact that he must differentiate himself from Markey, who has a long history in public service that predates Moulton’s own political career. While both politicians share similar progressive values, Moulton aims to appeal to voters by emphasizing his military background and a desire for change within the party. However, as the recent Senate vote illustrates, the political landscape is shifting, and Moulton’s criticisms of Schumer may not resonate with the broader Democratic base in Massachusetts, which has historically supported established leaders. As the political climate continues to evolve, the outcome of this primary battle will likely hinge on voters’ perceptions of effectiveness, generational change, and the core values that define the Democratic Party moving forward.
Let’s see if we can get this straight.
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton is attacking U.S. Sen. Eddie Markey because Eddie Markey is not attacking Sen. Chuck Schumer for failing to keep the government shut down.
Democrats believe that no government is the best form of government — if Donald Trump is president.
Moulton, 47, who is challenging Markey, 79, for reelection in the 2026 Democrat primary, wants Schumer, 74, the Democrat Senate minority leader, dumped even though Moulton is not a member of the Senate — at least not yet.
But that will not stop Moulton who, calling for “a new generation of leadership,” — meaning him — twice tried (2016, 2018) but failed to oust fellow Democrat Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House.
Pelosi announced in 2022 that she would step down as Speaker. Last week, at age 85, and a millionaire many times over, she said she would not seek reelection.
Now Moulton is at it again, even though this time he does not even have a vote in the matter.
Following Sunday night’s Senate breakthrough in opening the government, which Schumer opposed — as did Markey and fellow Massachusetts progressive Democrat Elizabeth Warren — Moulton said, “Tonight is another example of why we need new leadership.”
Eight defecting Democrats joined the Republicans in the Senate to vote in favor of reopening the government after accepting GOP promises to take up proposed extensions of Obamacare tax credits, a sticking point, following the opening. Markey, of course, was not among them.
In fact, Markey later bragged about voting 15 times with Schumer in favor of shutting down the government to keep the Republicans from “ripping health care away from millions of people.”
“I want to be clear about this. I voted no,” Markey said.
But that was not enough for Moulton. He said, “If Chuck Schumer were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote ‘No’ tonight and hold the line on health care.”
“Maybe now Ed Markey will finally join me in pledging not to vote for Schumer” as the Democrat minority leader.
Moulton’s problem in challenging Markey, who was elected to public office before Moulton was born, is that that are so politically alike. Moulton could be the son that Markey never had.
Outside of the age issue, Markey does not have much to run on in taking on Markey, unless Moulton can convince voters that he is a younger version of the senior Markey and a Marine combat veteran.
And talking about Schumer to a Massachusetts audience is not going to cut it.
It may be hard for Massachusetts Democrats, from Warren, Markey, Moulton, and Gov. Maura Healey on down to process it, but the reopening of the government is major victory for Trump.
That is because Trump was pushing the policy of a working government while Schumer and the Democrats wanted a woke one.
The Republican stand of opening the government was what the people wanted, while the Democrats in shutting it down sought the approval of the Mamdani radical wing of their party.
Trump won because he was on the right side of the issue.
All he had to do was wait for the Democrats to cave, and they did.
The Senate Democrats who defected and joined the Republicans to open the government realized that Schumer caused more hardship for people and the country in 40 days than Joe Biden did in four years.
Bernie Sanders, the sputtering old lefty from Vermont, who championed the shutdown, called the late-night vote reopening the government “a very bad night.”
A bad night for Bernie Sanders is a good day for America.
Veteran political reporter Peter Lucas can be reached at: peter.lucas@bostonherald.com
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters about Democratic victories on Election Day at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., in the Capitol subway earlier this fall in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
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