Markey defeats Kennedy in Massachusetts primary
A longtime lawmaker held off his high-profile young challenger in the Massachusetts Senate Democratic primary on Tuesday.
74-year-old incumbent U.S. Senator Ed Markey defeated 39-year-old Representative Joe Kennedy III, the grandson of former Senator Robert F. Kennedy, positioning himself to win another six-year term in the general election on November 3.
With his unsuccessful challenge, Kennedy became the first member of his fabled political family -- to suffer a defeat in a Massachusetts election for a congressional seat.
"To my family, the Kennedy family. Whose name was invoked far more than I anticipated in this race... you all are my heroes."
The young Kennedy, who was endorsed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, had taken a swipe at Markey's age before Tuesday's results were announced.
But ironically, Markey has resonated with young voters and won the backing of progressives like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and fellow Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.
He has spent some four decades in Congress fighting to tackle climate change and reduce nuclear weapons proliferation.
And in his victory speech on Tuesday, Markey thanked young voters for their support.
"This campaign has always been about the young people of this country. You are our future. And thank you for believing in me because I believe in you."
Markey is now well-positioned to win the November general election in a state that historically sends Democrats to the Senate.
