Massachusetts Senate
Ed Markey (D) holds this seat and is running again. 4 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report rates it safe Democratic.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Ed Markey
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 10 of 84 votes and bills.
Raised $5,985,385 since January 2025: 45% from people, 43% transfers and other income, 11% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
John Deaton
Republican · lawyer, marine veteran, 2024 senate nominee
BLiberty Score B83 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Deaton has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Deaton.
Raised $1,674,460 since January 2025: 63% the candidate’s own money, 35% from people, 2% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: John Deaton. John Deaton: B, 83 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Ed Markey: F, 10 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in Massachusetts: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
John Deaton, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Deaton, so the grade above comes from this list: what Deaton has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Blamed the Iran war situation on a failure of communication by the Trump administration.
“I do blame a lot of this, the Iran war situation, on a failure of communication by the Trump administration.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Criticising how the war was explained names no policy toward the regime, so it does not settle the measure.
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On the third anniversary of 7 October he condemned Hamas and its ideology.
“Time stands still for the families of victims whose lives were cut short by Hamas terrorists hellbent on inflicting their evil and oppressive ideology on the world.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Condemning Hamas and its ideology is the against-Hamas side of the measure.
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He condemned his opponent for suggesting Israel is no less dangerous to the United States than Iran.
“Senator Markey goes beyond the pale by insinuating that the Jewish nation of Israel is no less dangerous to the United States than Iran.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Defending Israel against being equated with Iran treats Israel as an ally.
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In an interview he said energy markets and housing rules in Massachusetts need to be deregulated.
“I do believe that we need to deregulate our energy markets, for example.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Less regulation is with liberty on free markets.
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In an interview he rejected Medicare for all and said private insurance will not be ended.
“Well, Medicare for all is never going to happen. We're never going to end private insurance in the United States.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Government-run health care for all is against liberty on free markets, so rejecting it is on the with side.
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He wants to close or raise the cap on earnings that are taxed for Social Security.
“Closing or raising that cap is common sense.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Raising a tax on higher earners is the against side of the measure.
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He opposes green-energy mandates on home builders because they raise prices.
“I oppose green-energy mandates that force builders to absorb costs that get passed straight on to buyers and renters in the form of higher prices.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing a regulation that raises costs is the less-regulation side of the measure.
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In an interview he listed men competing in women's sports among what he called the far-left positions of his opponents.
“It's just, "Biological men compete against women in sports." You name it, and they're just in that far-left category.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing biological men in women's sport is with liberty on equal rights.
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In an interview he said deportation is part of an immigration plan, as he said Barack Obama had argued.
“So, unlike my opponents, I agree with Barack Obama. Deportation is part of an immigration plan, right?”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Deporting those who break immigration law is with liberty on borders.
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Asked how federal immigration law would be enforced if ICE were abolished.
“How are you going to enforce federal immigration law if you abolish ICE?”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing the abolition of ICE and wanting the law enforced is on the with side.
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He says he will secure the border, end catch-and-release and reform asylum.
“I will fight to secure the border, end catch-and-release, and reform the asylum process while expanding legal immigration.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and ending catch and release is the with side of the measure.
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He backs an earned path to legal status and citizenship for DACA recipients and similar young people brought here illegally.
“I support a targeted, earned pathway to legal status and ultimately citizenship for DACA recipients and similarly situated Dreamers who meet rigorous standards”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship for people here illegally is the against side of the measure.
Also on the ballot
Shiva Ayyadurai (Independent), Joe Tache (Socialism and Liberation).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. Race rating: the Cook Political Report, November 2, 2026. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Massachusetts Senate
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