Massachusetts Senate candidates trade sharp attacks in fiery debate as incumbent Markey skips event

The two candidates seeking to unseat Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey sparred during a fiery debate Tuesday night, exchanging sharp attacks on a range of issues.

Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton and Republican attorney John Deaton clashed over President Donald Trump, sanctuary policies, Israel and Markey himself, who did not attend the event.

During the debate, Moulton heavily sought to tie Deaton to President Donald Trump —  who remains deeply unpopular in the blue state of Massachusetts — despite the Republican candidate's insistence that he has never voted for the president.

"You may say you're independent, you may say you haven't voted for him, but you're just going to enable his agenda," Moulton said, arguing that sending a Republican to Washington would be a mistake for Massachusetts voters.

SETH MOULTON CLOSING GAP ON PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT ED MARKEY IN MASSACHUSETTS SENATE PRIMARY

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., speaks during a House subcommittee hearing on July 23, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

In response, Deaton said Massachusetts needs someone like him to "stand up for America and working people."

"'F' the Republican Party. 'F' the Democrat Party — they all suck." Deaton said.  

The Republican candidate also slammed Markey for skipping Tuesday’s debate, calling him "too much of a coward to be here tonight."

Moulton defended Markey, while still urging a "new generation of leadership."

"He's not a coward — he's a lifelong public servant," Moulton said. "We should honor that service."

DEM SENATOR, 79, DRAWS PRIMARY CHALLENGE FROM REP. SETH MOULTON

John Deaton poses for a portrait in Woburn, Massachusetts, on April 12. (Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe)

Markey, who was first elected to the U.S. House in 1976, remains popular with the state’s most progressive voters.

Moulton trails Markey in Democratic primary polling, while Deaton is widely viewed as the clear underdog in the race. The Republican previously lost to Sen. Elizabeth Warren two years ago in a Senate bid. 

On immigration, the candidates offered starkly different positions during the debate. 

Moulton advocated for the prosecution of ICE officials who carried out Trump's mass deportation agenda, while Deaton said the U.S. should expand legal immigration but maintain "zero tolerance" for illegal immigration.

Deaton also rejected calls to abolish ICE, dismissing them as an election-year "slogan" akin to the push to "defund the police" in 2020.

Rep. Seth Moulton is trailing Sen. Ed Markey in Democratic primary polling. (Lane Turner/The Boston Globe/Getty Images)

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On foreign aid, Deaton took a hardline stance, saying he would not support sending additional funding to Israel, Ukraine or other countries unless it is clearly "proven" to serve the interests of Americans and Massachusetts residents.

He also criticized Moulton, alleging the Democrat sought an endorsement from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) before later distancing himself after not receiving it.

Moulton, meanwhile, backed conditional aid to Israel, saying the U.S. should not blindly support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also said he returned donations from AIPAC, arguing the organization’s positions have shifted in recent years.