Senator Ed Markey is actively soliciting campaign donations as he prepares for a competitive reelection bid for the U.S. Senate. The Massachusetts lawmaker has expressed concerns about his campaign financing while opposing the Republican-led funding bill aimed at reopening the federal government. In a recent email to supporters, Markey emphasized, “the money isn’t there,” and called on his grassroots base to help bridge the funding gap.
Markey, aged 79, has been a fixture in Congress since 1976, serving as a senator since 2012. In his communication, he shared insights from a meeting with his campaign team, revealing that they need to raise additional funds to meet their budget for October. He suggested that if approximately 230 supporters contributed, they could reach their financial goal before the upcoming deadline.
The urgency for fundraising has intensified following U.S. Representative Seth Moulton‘s announcement earlier this month that he will challenge Markey in the Democratic primary. Moulton, representing Massachusetts’s 6th Congressional District since 2015, has publicly questioned Markey’s age and fitness for office, advocating for a new generation of leadership.
Markey’s campaign has labeled Moulton as a “well-funded challenger,” with the latter reportedly raising an additional $500,000 since his candidacy launch in mid-October. As of last week, Markey had approximately $2,662,200 in campaign funds, compared to Moulton’s $2,125,110, according to data from the Federal Election Commission cited by Politico.
Moulton has also made headlines by deciding to return about $35,000 in contributions from the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, signaling his intent to distance himself from the organization. He stated, “I support Israel’s right to exist, but I’ve also never been afraid to disagree openly with AIPAC when I believe they’re wrong,” referencing the group’s alignment with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government.
The Republican landscape is also taking shape, as John Deaton, who previously challenged Senator Elizabeth Warren, has not ruled out a run against Markey. Deaton, who relocated from Rhode Island to Massachusetts last year, is reportedly considering his options and has an upcoming event scheduled for November 10, where he is expected to make a significant announcement.
John Milligan, executive director of the Massachusetts GOP, indicated that Deaton is receiving strong encouragement to enter the race. He stated, “Markey is beatable. He’s been part of the problem for over 50 years,” highlighting the potential for a competitive challenge in the upcoming election.
As the campaign heats up, Markey’s team is committed to setting ambitious fundraising targets to bolster their efforts. He has noted the necessity of investing in new infrastructure and resources to effectively organize and mobilize support. In his words, “I made the tough call to move forward with those investments, even though right now, the money isn’t there.”
With the political landscape shifting rapidly, Markey’s ability to secure funding and rally grassroots support will be crucial in the months leading up to the primary election.
