Markey, Clark Secure Wins in MA Primaries as Minogue Takes GOP Nomination

Key points

• Ed Markey won the U.S. Senate primary with 557,022 votes against Seth Moulton, who received 301,135 votes.
• Katherine Clark won the U.S. House 5th District primary with 84,645 votes, defeating Jonathan Paz and Tarik Samman.
• Erika Uyterhoeven won the 2nd Middlesex State Senate primary with 12,335 votes, defeating Christine Barber and Burhan Azeem.
• Michael Minogue won the Republican gubernatorial primary with 185,292 votes, defeating Brian Shortsleeve.
• Ben Ewen-Campen and Will Mbah won their respective state House primaries in the 27th and 34th Middlesex Districts.

Background

Massachusetts held its primary elections on October 14, 2026, following earlier primaries in states like Wyoming and Kansas in August. The state has a strong Democratic lean, which influenced the outcomes in the U.S. Senate and House races. Previous coverage noted the importance of local watch parties and the competitive nature of the state legislative races.

How outlets are covering it

The Tufts Daily provided detailed live updates and vote counts for all major races, emphasizing the strong performance of incumbents Markey and Clark. The outlet highlighted the progressive platform of Markey and the generational change argument of Moulton. Winchester News focused on the local state Senate results for the 2nd and 5th Middlesex Districts, providing context on the voting process and local candidates. Both outlets agreed on the final outcomes but differed in their emphasis on the broader political implications versus local community impact.

Why it matters

The results of the Massachusetts primaries set the stage for the November general elections, where Ed Markey and Katherine Clark are expected to retain their seats due to the state's Democratic lean. Michael Minogue's victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary means he will challenge incumbent Maura Healey, potentially shifting the political landscape in the state. The outcomes in the state Senate and House races will also influence the balance of power in the Massachusetts legislature.

What to watch

The general elections will take place in November 2026, where the primary winners will face their opponents. Ed Markey will face Republican nominee John Deaton in the U.S. Senate race, while Katherine Clark is expected to face no significant opposition. Michael Minogue will challenge Maura Healey for the governorship. The state legislative races will also see their primary winners face their opponents in the general election.