Massachusetts 2026 primary season: Senate, House and governor races

Massachusetts voters weigh in on a series of high-profile primaries and nominations ahead of the 2026 midterms, from Sen. Ed Markey's Democratic primary victory over Rep. Seth Moulton to Rep. Stephen Lynch's House primary win over Patrick Roath and Mike Minogue's GOP nomination…

4 stories167 sourcesUpdated Sep 3, 2026

In this storyline:Ed Markey Seth Moulton Maura Healey Stephen F. Lynch Charles Deaton

Massachusetts 2026 primary season: Senate, House and governor races — Photo: U.S. Senate Photographic Studio-Rebecca Hammel / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Key developments

Sep 2, 2026
Polls show incumbent Sen. Ed Markey holding a wide lead over Rep. Seth Moulton ahead of the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary, with final campaign stops and endorsements underway.
133 sources on this →
Sep 2, 2026
Rep. Stephen Lynch, 71, defeats progressive challenger Patrick Roath, 39, in the Massachusetts 8th District Democratic primary, securing a bid for a 14th term.
9 sources on this →
Sep 2, 2026
Republican Mike Minogue wins the GOP nomination to challenge Gov. Maura Healey, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, setting up the general election matchup.
11 sources on this →
Sep 2, 2026
Sen. Ed Markey, 80, cruises to victory over Rep. Seth Moulton in the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary, setting up a general-election matchup against Republican John Deaton.

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Politics

Minogue wins GOP nomination, faces Healey

Massachusetts Republican Mike Minogue won the GOP nomination to challenge Gov. Maura Healey, positioning him as a candidate promising tax cuts, greater transparency, and a rejection of sanctuary-state policies and unfunded mandates. Healey, unopposed in the Democratic primary, will face Minogue in the general election as Minogue touts a 'new kind of governor' approach and emphasizes economic growth and tighter governance.

11 sources

Politics

Markey wins Massachusetts Democratic primary; faces Deaton

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Lynch beats younger challenger Roath in Massachusetts primary fight over generational change

Massachusetts’ 8th District incumbent Rep. Stephen Lynch, 71, defeated progressive challenger Patrick Roath, 39, in a primary that underscored a battle between generational change and long-standing experience as Lynch seeks a 14th term. Lynch advances to the November race with strong labor and union backing, while Roath had outraised and campaigned on Medicare for All and immigration reform amid tensions over Lynch’s past votes and his stance during the Trump era.

9 sources

Politics

Markey Defeats Moulton in Mass. Senate Primary

Polls consistently show incumbent Ed Markey leading Rep. Seth Moulton in the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary, with Emerson College surveys around 60% for Markey and roughly a 30-point lead when undecided voters are factored. The race centers on age and experience, as Markey touts his long tenure and progressive credentials while Moulton emphasizes change, with final weekend campaign stops and high-profile endorsements ahead of Tuesday's vote.

133 sources