Sen. Ed Markey, 80, defies call for new blood — as 43% doubt centrist Dem is mentally, physically capable of serving out his term

NY Post ^ | 8/29/26 | Geoff Earle

[Libloather]

In an election cycle where young socialists have been knocking off members of the Old Guard, 80-year-old Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey is out to prove he’s radical enough to survive.

The oldest Dem seeking reelection this year partnered with AOC on her “Green New Deal” in 2019 and touts “Medicare for All,” which has become a rallying cry for the socialist wing of the party.

He is up by double digits in the polls against Marine Corps vet Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), 47, who faces off with Markey Tuesday in the deep blue state — and began his campaign against him by calling him “too old.”

Moulton ran for president in 2019 and pulled the plug after four months. He is considered a centrist, but says Democrats “need to fight Trump harder.”

A University of New Hampshire poll out last week shows how key age is to his support – but indicates Massachusetts voters prefer Markey even while doubting he’ll make it through a six-year term in good shape.

The poll shows 27% of Markey’s voters back him for his politics or ideology, while 58% of Moulton supporters back him because of “age.”

“Markey is too old and too far left,” said one respondent who supports Moulton. A stunning 43% believe Markey “probably would not” or “definitely would not” be mentally and physically capable of serving out his term. Thirty-four percent say he would, and 23% don’t know. But Markey leads comfortably anyway, 63-28.

---

TOPICS: Business/Economy; Conspiracy; Health/Medicine; History
KEYWORDS: democrats; markey; mentally; physically

[Libloather]

There's a memo floating out there stating that the new commies are kicking out the old commies. I've seen it.

[RinaseaofDs]

Centrist Dem. OK. About as centrist as Pol Pot.

[Migraine]

He’s been mentally incapable lo these many years.

[escapefromboston]

He hasn’t been mentally capable for decades

[oldasrocks]

That could be said for all dems;

[DIRTYSECRET]

We should root for him. If the other guy wins he’s set for several terms. If Markey wins you ever know what condition the state or country will be in if he croaks.

[Paladin2]

A more than fair tactical position...

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Ed Malarky, isn’t he an intellectual cross between Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden?

[cowboyusa]

Centrist😂😂😂😂😂

[alstewartfan]

CENTRIST? LOL

[Paladin2]

Mr. Softie [see Howie Carr...] needs to go.

[willk]

If he’s a centrist then they need to refer to Jesse Helms as a centrist.

[Texas Eagle]

Half the citizenry of Massachusetts is mentally incapable. The other half are simply nuts.

[Texas Eagle]

In his defense, at least he doesn’t think he’s a Squaw
.

[Williams]

Funny thing is the last time I remember hearing anything from Markey, he wasn’t old.

[acapesket]

BINGO to “ Mister Frostie”!!
Eddie doesn’t even qualify for “Moron”
Or living in MA

[ReganFan4ever]

Marchi is a leftist trough and through.

[mowowie]

i’m voting for markey tuesday..

[unclebankster]

I remember Markey as a radical environmental nut when he was a House member in the 1990’s. He’d give speeches on his pet cause on C-SPAN to an empty chamber.

I didn’t like him then & I don’t like him now.

[Theodore R.]

Ed Markey, centrist Democrat? I think he is a DSA radical even if he doesn’t pay DSA dues.