# Ed Markey Longtime Massachusetts Democrat who served in the U.S. House 1976–2013 before winning the Senate in 2013 (special election after [[John Kerry]]'s Secretary of State appointment). Known for environmental and telecom policy specialization over a five-decade career. Co-author with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of the Green [[New Deal]] resolution. ## Career highlights - 37 years in the House representing Massachusetts's 5th and then 7th districts - Authored the 1996 Telecommunications Act provisions on internet and cable - Co-author of the Green New Deal resolution with AOC (2019) - Defeated Joe Kennedy III in 2020 Democratic primary — a consequential generational fight that foreshadowed today's MA-Sen dynamics in reverse ## 2026 cycle Running for his third full Senate term at age 79. Facing serious primary challenge from 47-year-old U.S. Rep. [[Seth Moulton]] in the September 1 primary. Cook rates the seat **Solid D** — the primary is the whole race. Markey retains institutional and progressive-movement support (LCV, Sunrise, environmental coalition) despite age frame. See [[MA-Sen-2026]] for full race context. ## Ideological positioning - Progressive on environmental and regulatory issues; core Senate voice on climate legislation - Telecom policy specialist — consumer-protection and net-neutrality lineage - Strong AOC-wing alignment despite generational distance — the Markey-AOC partnership is load-bearing for his progressive credibility ## Related - [[MA-Sen-2026]] - [[Seth Moulton]]