Ed Markey secures Senate nomination after defeating Seth Moulton in Massachusetts

US Senator Ed Markey has won the Democratic nomination in Massachusetts, defeating Congressman Seth Moulton in a closely watched Senate primary.

Markey, 80, overcame a challenge from the 47-year-old Moulton, who campaigned on a message of generational change and argued Democrats needed to move beyond the political “status quo.”

Markey countered by portraying Moulton as too moderate for Massachusetts voters, highlighted his record on climate policy and criticised his opponent for opposing “Medicare for All”.

“He has a backwards-looking political agenda,” Markey said during the campaign.

Moulton conceded on Tuesday and pledged to support Markey in November.

“Challenging the establishment and calling for a new generation of leadership isn’t easy. But it is necessary,” Moulton told supporters.

“We started conversations that needed to happen. We didn’t achieve our goal tonight, but I am confident others will be inspired to buck the system when they’re told to wait their turn,” he added.

Markey has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 2013 after serving in the House of Representatives for more than three decades.

The veteran Democrat previously defeated a younger primary challenger, Joe Kennedy III, in 2020.

With Massachusetts strongly favouring Democrats, Markey is expected to enter November's general election as the favourite.