As Massachusetts voters head to the polls this fall to decide a slate of closely watched Democratic primaries — including competitive races for an open state Senate seat, several state House districts and challenges to some of the state’s most notable members of Congress — the Daily outlined the candidates for key races across the Tufts area and throughout the state.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on September 1. Early voting will also be available until August 28, with poll hours varying by municipality.
All Democratic state officials, including Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, are running unopposed for their nominations. State Reps. Sean Garballey and Paul Donato, as well as U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, have also sealed renominations.
U.S. Senate
Sen. Ed Markey, 80, who has held his seat since 2013 and previously served in the U.S. House since 1976, faces a primary challenge from Rep. Seth Moulton, who is framing it around Markey’s age and the need for new leadership in Washington. Moulton, an Army veteran, is running mostly to the left of Markey, who has received endorsements from Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders as well as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
- Ed Markey, incumbent senator
- Seth Moulton, U.S. Representative from the 6th district
State Senate: 2nd Middlesex District
Incumbent State Sen. Pat Jehlen, who has held the seat since 2005, announced her retirement in December. The district includes all of Somerville and Medford, portions of northern Cambridge and four precincts in Winchester.
- Burhan Azeem, vice mayor of Cambridge
- Christine Barber, state representative
- Matt McLaughlin, Somerville city councilor
- Erika Uyterhoeven, state representative
State House: 26th Middlesex District
Incumbent Mike Connolly is running for re-election. The district spans eastern Somerville and eastern/central Cambridge, including areas around East Somerville, Union Square, East Cambridge, Cambridge Crossing, Kendall Square and Central Square.
- Mike Connolly, incumbent state representative
- Neil Miller, housing advocate and former data scientist
State House: 27th Middlesex District
Incumbent Erika Uyterhoeven is not seeking re-election in order to run for state senate. The district lies entirely within Somerville, covering much of the city's central and western neighborhoods, including portions of Wards 1–6.
- Ben Ewen-Campen, Somerville city councilor
- Olivia Gilligan-Corsetti, engineer and substitute teacher
State House: 34th Middlesex District
Incumbent Christine Barber is not seeking re-election in order to run for state senate. The district encompasses parts of northern and southern Somerville as well as eastern Medford.
- Will Mbah, Somerville city councilor
- Paul Ruseau, Medford school committee member
- Chris Oates, startup founder and policy analyst
U.S. House: 5th District
House Minority Leader Katherine Clark faces two primary challenges from Jonathan Paz and Tarik Samman. Clark has held her seat since 2013 and was elected to her Democratic leadership position in 2023.
- Katherine Clark, incumbent representative and House Minority Whip
- Jonathan Paz, former Waltham city councilor
- Tarik Samman, union organizer
Massachusetts Governor: Republican primary
Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, is expected to win re-election in dark blue Massachusetts, but will face either Michael Minogue or Brian Shortsleeve in the general election. Healey’s predecessor, Gov. Charlie Baker, was the state’s last Republican governor.
- Michael Minogue, former CEO of Abiomed
- Brian Shortsleeve, former chief administrator and acting general manager of the MBTA
This article may be updated with more information.
