2026 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

For related races, see 2026 United States Senate elections.

2026 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

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Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent U.S. senator Ed Markey Democratic

The 2026 United States Senate election in Massachusetts will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Incumbent two-term Democratic Senator Ed Markey, was re-elected in 2020 with 66.2% of the vote and is running for re-election to a third full term.

Markey, who will be 80 years old at the time of the 2026 election, has faced calls to retire due to his age. ^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Ed Markey, incumbent U.S. Senator (2013–present) ^[2]

Potential

Most of the following people have been speculated as potential candidates in the event that Markey drops out of the race; only Auchincloss is seen as a potential primary challenger to Markey.

• Jake Auchincloss, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district (2021–present) (currently running for re-election) ^[3]
• Andrea Campbell, Massachusetts Attorney General (2023–present) ^[4]
• Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts (2023–present) (currently running for re-election) ^[4]
• Joe Kennedy III, former U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland (2022–2024), former U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district (2013–2021), and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 ^[4]
• Deval Patrick, former Governor of Massachusetts (2007–2015) and candidate for president in 2020 ^[4]
• Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district (2019–present) ^[4]
• Lori Trahan, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district (2019–present) ^[4]
• Marty Walsh, former U.S. Secretary of Labor (2021–2023) and former mayor of Boston (2014–2021) ^[4]
• Michelle Wu, mayor of Boston (2021–present) ^[4]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declined

• Charlie Baker, president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (2023–present) and former Governor of Massachusetts (2015–2023) ^[5]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Inside Elections [6]	Solid D	January 17, 2025
The Cook Political Report [7]	Solid D	February 11, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [8]	Safe D	February 13, 2025

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Charlie Baker	Ed Markey	Other	Undecided
MassINC Polling	October 29 – November 1, 2024	582 (LV)	± 4.9%	40%	34%	3%	19%

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

References

1. Keller, Jon (October 20, 2024). "Is it time for Ed Markey to step aside? Chairman of Massachusetts Democrats weighs in". CBS News . Retrieved December 4, 2024.
2. Medsger, Matthew (October 27, 2024). "Ed Markey says he will seek a third term in 2026, when he will be 80 years old". Boston Herald .
3. Will Auchincloss run against Markey?. WCVB-TV . January 19, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025– via YouTube.
4. Tenser, Phil (October 17, 2024). "Findings of new poll suggest Mass. believes both senators are too old". WCVB-TV . Retrieved December 24, 2024.
5. Altimari, Daniela; Ellen McIntire, Mary (January 7, 2025). "An early look at potentially vulnerable senators in 2026". Roll Call . Retrieved January 7, 2025. Baker is currently the head of the NCAA and a spokesman for the organization dismissed the rumors, saying Baker is 'not running for any political office.'
6. "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
7. "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
8. "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.