Hasan Piker cheerleads progressives as 80-year-old senator wins six more years
Twitch streamer and left-wing activist Hasan Piker celebrated after Senator Ed Markey, 80, defeated Representative Seth Moulton in the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary, framing the result as a win for progressive politics over generational change. Moulton, 33 years Markey's junior, had campaigned on the need for fresh leadership, but Markey positioned himself as the more authentically progressive candidate, emphasising his support for transgender rights in sport and aggressive climate action, positions Moulton had argued cost Democrats support in 2024.
Markey received endorsements and praise from prominent figures on the left, including the Sunrise Movement, veteran strategist David Axelrod and Senator Bernie Sanders, with Axelrod noting that Markey, first elected 50 years ago as a social conservative, had reinvented himself around causes such as the Green New Deal and Medicare for All. Having won the primary, Markey advances to the general election on 3 November, where he is heavily favoured in the strongly Democratic state; he most recently won re-election over a Republican challenger by a margin of 66.2% to 33.0%.
- Ed Markey, 80, beat younger rival Seth Moulton in Massachusetts primary
- Progressive activists, including Hasan Piker, hailed the result
- Markey now heavily favoured to win the 3 November general election
New here? Start with this
Ed Markey is a Democratic senator for Massachusetts, a state where Democrats usually win federal elections. He first entered Congress about 50 years ago and has since become a prominent supporter of climate action and other progressive causes.
A primary is an election in which a party chooses its candidate for the general election. Markey’s challenge from fellow Democrat Seth Moulton centred partly on whether the party should favour younger leadership, while Markey’s supporters argued that his record and policies made him the stronger progressive voice.
The Senate is one of the two chambers of the US Congress, which makes federal laws and scrutinises the government. The primary result decides which Democrat will stand for the seat; the general election determines who represents Massachusetts in the Senate for the next term.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Markey’s victory can be seen as voters choosing a senator with a long record and strong ties to progressive causes over a younger challenger whose case rested heavily on generational change. His supporters may argue that experience, policy commitments on climate and health care, and clear advocacy for transgender rights offer more than age alone as measures of effective representation.
The case against
Moulton’s challenge reflected a reasonable concern that long-serving politicians can become too entrenched, and that parties need new leaders who can connect with voters and adapt their approach. Supporters of his case may also argue that Democrats should weigh whether some positions or messaging are costing them broader support, while recognising that changing direction can itself alienate core voters.