Moulton's transgender athletes comments emerge as 2026 campaign issue
Moulton's 2024 transgender athletes comments resurface as 2026 campaign issue.
Event / Politics
US Senate Races 2026
2026 United States Senate elections across multiple states, including Massachusetts Democratic primary and general election races.
3 reported locations
Daily activity
6 articles0 articles
2026-08-10 to 2026-11-07 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 23 Jul, 01:15 UTC
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What happened
Moulton's 2024 comments on transgender athletes in sports became campaign issue
During the primary campaign, Sen. Markey repeatedly criticized Rep. Seth Moulton for comments made in 2024 in which Moulton stated he did not want his daughters 'getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete.' Markey accused Moulton of throwing 'trans kids under the bus.' Moulton later apologized during an August debate, saying he supports LGBTQ rights and that his comments were not intended to hurt the transgender community.
Markey previously defeated younger challenger Joe Kennedy III in 2020 primary
This was the second time Markey won a primary challenge against a much younger candidate. In 2020, Markey defeated Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who also argued that Massachusetts needed younger representation. Markey successfully aligned himself with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party in both races.
Markey's age emerged as central issue in Massachusetts Democratic primary
The Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary centered on whether 80-year-old incumbent Sen. Ed Markey was too old to serve a third term in the Senate. If re-elected, Markey would be 86 by the end of his next term. Challenger Seth Moulton, 47, highlighted Markey's stumble over a debate question about artificial intelligence and Markey's stated unfamiliarity with AI platforms like Claude and ChatGPT to argue for generational change. Markey ultimately prevailed with strong support from progressive and establishment Democrats alike.
Markey received endorsements from Sanders, Warren, AOC, and Pressley
Sen. Ed Markey received endorsements from both progressive and establishment Democrats, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), 'Squad' representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Markey's early support for the Green New Deal and 'Medicare for All' helped secure support from younger Democrats.
Sen. Ed Markey wins Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary with 76% of vote
Incumbent Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), age 80, defeated Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), age 47, in the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday with 76% of the vote to Moulton's 24%. Markey is seeking a third term in the Senate and will face Republican John Deaton in the November general election.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee provided $62,000 to Markey's campaign
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), the campaign arm of Senate Democrats, provided a $62,000 boost to Sen. Markey's campaign less than three weeks before Election Day.
Darline Graham sponsored Russia sanctions bill renamed for brother Lindsey
Darline Graham was the lead sponsor of a Russia sanctions bill that was renamed in honor of her brother Lindsey Graham.
Sen. Lindsey Graham dies from aortic tear
Senator Lindsey Graham died on July 11, 2026, from what doctors preliminarily said was a tear in the aorta due to hardening of the arteries. Graham had recently returned from a trip to Ukraine at the time of his death.
President Trump endorses and campaigns for Darline Graham in South Carolina runoff
President Donald Trump recruited, endorsed, and campaigned for Darline Graham in the Republican Senate runoff. Trump held an in-person rally for Graham in Myrtle Beach on Friday and a tele-rally Monday evening. His allied super PAC spent $830,000 in late campaign spending to support her candidacy. Trump stated he supported her to honor her brother Lindsey and described her as someone who would put America first.
Ralph Norman initially opposed Trump's tax-and-spending package
Rep. Ralph Norman, a member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, initially opposed President Trump's landmark tax-and-spending cuts package known as the 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' He eventually voted in favor after successfully negotiating to speed up work requirements for Medicaid recipients and the elimination of Biden-era wind and solar tax credits.
Ralph Norman endorsed Nikki Haley over Trump in 2024 presidential primary
Rep. Ralph Norman was the only House Republican to endorse former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley over Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential primary race, which irritated Trump and made Norman a constant thorn in the president's side.
Governor McMaster appoints Darline Graham to fill her brother's Senate seat
Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to temporarily fill the U.S. Senate seat previously held by her brother Lindsey Graham. The appointment occurred three days after Lindsey Graham's death on July 14, 2026.
Darline Graham led South Carolina Commission for the Blind before Senate appointment
Before entering the Senate, Darline Graham spent much of her career working in disability services and most recently led the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, a 130-person state agency that provided services to blind individuals. She had never held or run for elected office before her appointment to the Senate.
Sen. Darline Graham wins South Carolina Republican Senate runoff
Darline Graham defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in South Carolina's Republican Senate runoff election. Graham, 62, was appointed to the seat by Governor Henry McMaster following the death of her brother Senator Lindsey Graham on July 11, 2026. She secured 33% of the vote in the initial primary and advanced to the runoff after neither candidate reached the 50% threshold required to avoid a runoff.
Darline Graham will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November general election
Following her runoff victory, Darline Graham will face Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the November general election for the U.S. Senate seat. Graham is the heavy favorite in South Carolina, a deep-red state where her brother Lindsey Graham served in the Senate and House for more than 30 years.
Darline Graham faces scrutiny over national security knowledge during debate
During a debate with Ralph Norman in the final week of the runoff campaign, Darline Graham acknowledged she was 'not that informed on national security' when asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea were important national security priorities. She stated that 'National security is not my thing.' This remark drew criticism given her brother's three-decade Air Force service and his role as a leading voice on national security in Congress.
Republican primary featured crowded field of Senate candidates
The Republican primary to replace Lindsey Graham attracted a crowded field of candidates including Darline Graham, Rep. Ralph Norman, Rep. Russell Fry, former Governor Mark Sanford, and wealthy self-funding businessman Mark Lynch.
Darline Graham wins South Carolina GOP Senate runoff with 52.4% of vote
Darline Graham defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in the South Carolina Republican Senate runoff on Tuesday with approximately 52.4% of the vote to Norman's 47.6%, with 91% of votes counted when The Associated Press called the race at 9:01 p.m.
Sen. Tim Scott endorses Darline Graham in runoff
Sen. Tim Scott, South Carolina's senior senator, endorsed Darline Graham in the Republican Senate runoff election.
Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. spends over $800,000 supporting Darline Graham
The pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. spent more than $800,000 in support of Darline Graham's Senate runoff campaign, with some sources citing over $827,000 in spending.
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2 alternative perspectives
Markey wins Massachusetts Democratic primary with overwhelming 76% support
Markey wins Massachusetts Democratic primary with 76%, advancing to general election despite age concerns.
Darline Graham sponsors Russia sanctions bill bearing brother's name
Darline Graham sponsors Russia sanctions bill named after her late brother Lindsey.
Norman's primary endorsement of Haley complicates Republican positioning
Norman endorsed Haley over Trump and opposed Trump's spending package, positioning himself independently within Republican ranks.
Graham advances to Senate general election after GOP runoff victory
Darline Graham wins South Carolina GOP runoff, faces Democrat Andrews in general election.
Darline Graham wins South Carolina GOP runoff, advances to general election
Darline Graham wins GOP runoff, faces Democrat Annie Andrews in November's general election.
Trump administration launches savings accounts initiative for American youth
Trump administration introduces Trump Accounts initiative for American children's savings.
Election security concerns emerge as voting system integrity questioned
Election security concerns about voting system integrity surface in Georgia Senate race.
Collins challenges Ossoff in closely watched Georgia Senate contest
Collins and Ossoff compete for Georgia's Senate seat in a nationally significant 2026 race.