Senator Ed Markey won the Democratic primary in Massachusetts on Tuesday. The 80-year-old incumbent defeated Representative Seth Moulton, 47, securing the nomination to seek a third full term in the upper chamber.
During the campaign, Moulton argued that Markey was too old to be effective at his job and stated that the party needed new leaders. Moulton attempted to oust the octogenarian by urging voters to do away with the status quo.
The victory represents a win for the party's progressive wing over the moderate Moulton. The result indicates that Massachusetts voters backed several of the state's long-serving lawmakers, as Markey held off younger challengers and survived an anti-incumbent wave.
Because Massachusetts is heavily Democratic, Markey is favored to win in the November general election, where he faces Republican nominee John Deaton.