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US Senator Ed Markey defeated Rep. Joe Kennedy III in the Massachusetts Democratic primary on Tuesday, positioning himself to win another six-year term on November 3 and a platform for a progressive agenda in 2021.
With his unsuccessful defiance, Kennedy became the first member of his legendary in-laws to suffer defeat in the Massachusetts elections for a seat in Congress.
While his political stances aligned closely with Markey’s, Kennedy was seen as a favorite when he made his surprise announcement last September that he would leave the House of Representatives after eight years and attempt to stop the nomination of fellow Democrat Markey. to run in the November 3 elections. .
But Markey, who has been at the forefront of liberal causes ranging from halting the proliferation of nuclear weapons to imposing stringent new carbon emission standards to curb climate change, mounted an aggressive campaign that was bolstered by progressive stars like her. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Alexandria. Ocasio-Cortez.
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Incumbent US Senator Edward Markey celebrates with his wife Susan, left, in Malden, Massachusetts, after defeating US Representative Joe Kennedy III on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary. (AP Photo / Michael Dwyer)
AP
The incomplete results had Markey’s advantage over Kennedy by 55.4% to 44.6%, according to a New York Times tally.
In his victory speech, Markey emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change after years of wavering legislation.
“There will be no peace, no justice, no prosperity unless we stop the march towards climate destruction. This is a matter of life and death,” said Markey.
Last year he and Ocasio-Cortez released the “Green New Deal” calling for drastically reducing carbon emissions attributed to climate change.
With Markey’s deep legislative record after more than four decades in the House and Senate and without personal controversy, Kennedy had a difficult time convincing Massachusetts voters to abandon the veteran legislator.
In public opinion polls, Markey, 74, was garnering support from young voters in his race against Kennedy, 39, the grandson of assassinated Senator Robert F. Kennedy. His great-uncle was President John F. Kennedy.
While the progressives helped propel Markey to victory, they suffered painful setbacks at other Massachusetts competitions.
The New York Times declared US Democratic Representatives Richard Neal and Stephen Lynch primary winners, roundly defeating challenges from Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and physician Robbie Goldstein, respectively.
Neal chairs the House Tax Drafting House Ways and Means Committee.
Since 2018, progressives running in other states have unseated some more moderate Democrats and House veterans.
In admitting defeat, Kennedy called Markey “a good man” and said his coalition of supporters “who do not have the luxury of accepting the status quo” will continue their fight for universal health care and improvements in civil rights.
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