Young people understand the need for widespread political change in this nation, but this change must be meaningful. As LHS students, we are deeply concerned about politicians who ignore issues like climate change and the housing and jobs crisis that will face us once we graduate.
That’s why we agree with Sen. Ed Markey, who recognizes that the most important factor is not just a candidate’s age, but the age of their ideas. Markey hasn’t let his time in Washington weaken his commitment to progressive ideals; he consistently pushes forward national discussions on issues that affect future generations and has demonstrated a willingness to challenge establishment assumptions.
Ed Markey has been a reliable advocate for the environment throughout his tenure in the Senate. Markey was one of the two crucial architects of the Green New Deal, a comprehensive plan to combat climate change – one of our generation’s most pressing issues – through trillions of dollars in green investment and job creation.
Although the original text of the Green New Deal wasn’t passed, Ed Markey proved his political acumen by instituting many provisions of the Green New Deal in the groundbreaking 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. This bill was the single largest green investment bill in American history, dedicating over $369 billion to renewable energy projects to fight climate change. This is the kind of principled commitment and lawmaking experience that Markey brings to the table.
Additionally, young people are increasingly locked out of the housing market; facing insurmountable odds in striving to achieve financial independence. Cosponsoring Elizabeth Warren’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a vote which Seth Moulton was absent from, Ed Markey has demonstrated distinction in advocating for affordability and an economy that works for everyone.
Thanks to his extensive record of legislation, he also has the advantage of holding important roles in Congress, including his role as the highest-ranking Democrat on the US Senate Committee on Small Businesses & Entrepreneurship. In this position, Ed Markey gives Massachusetts a seat at the table by promoting policies that encourage entrepreneurship, and help local businesses thrive in our community.
Markey prioritizes financial integrity in politics. He rejects corporate PAC money, supports a congressional stock trading ban, and holds no vested interests from personal investments. By contrast, his challenger, Seth Moulton, has millions in stock holdings and takes donations from corporate PACs.
Senator Ed Markey embodies the progress we believe our generation deserves. He has fought for the common good, rather than catering to special interest groups. That is why we are proud to support Ed Markey for re-election to the US Senate on September 1st.
Kevin Chen and Andrew Wu
I appreciated Kevin Chen and Andrew Wu’s thoughtful case for Senator Ed Markey. But as someone who also cares deeply about the future of the Democratic Party, I come to the opposite conclusion: this is exactly the moment to elect Seth Moulton.
There is much to admire in Markey’s record, particularly his decades of work on climate change. But the question before voters isn’t whether Ed Markey has served Massachusetts well. It’s who is best positioned to represent Massachusetts for the next six years.
And I find it genuinely surprising that, at a moment when Democrats are constantly talking about developing the next generation of leaders, we would choose to re-elect an 80-year-old senator to another six-year term when we have an experienced, capable alternative in Seth Moulton.
Moulton is hardly asking voters to trade experience for youth. He has served in Congress for more than a decade, served four tours as a Marine in Iraq, and has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to challenge his own party when he believes it needs to change. He brings a more contemporary perspective to issues that will define the coming decades — technology and AI, energy, transportation, housing and America’s role in the world — while sharing many of the fundamental values that Massachusetts Democrats care about.
Markey argues that what matters is “the age of your ideas,” not the age of the candidate. Ideas certainly matter. But so does building a bench of leaders who will be around to turn those ideas into policy for decades to come. Generational change isn’t a repudiation of what came before it. Healthy institutions depend on accomplished leaders eventually making room for the next generation.
Ed Markey deserves enormous respect for his service. But nearly 50 years in Congress is an extraordinary career, not an argument for another six.
For Massachusetts — and for the future of the Democratic Party — I’m voting for Seth Moulton.
Hello Adam,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. Civil discourse is exactly what this country needs, and we appreciate you for engaging with this article in a thoughtful and civil manner. It is always valid to raise concerns about elected officials, but we disagree with the assessment that Seth Moulton would be a suitable replacement.
We respect Seth Moulton’s time in the Marines. However, at a time when more than 72% of Americans believe that there is too much money in politics, Seth Moulton has taken over $340,000 in corporate PAC money. In addition, despite serving as the Chair of the Armed Forces Committee, he has invested millions of dollars into stocks that his committee oversees, including webAI and Oura. We should not compromise on the integrity of our elected officials just to get a younger face in office.
Meanwhile, Ed Markey is no Mitch McConnell. Both Andrew and I have seen him speak in-person, and he is energized and ready to fight for Massachusetts interests. Throughout the debates, he was able to go toe-to-toe with Rep. Moulton, delivering arguments on his feet. Markey continues to work tirelessly in Congress, and his age has not meaningfully obstructed his work.
In terms of translating ideas into practical policy positions, we would argue that this further supports our case for Ed Markey. Senator Markey has a progressive legislative track record that is very difficult to match, such as his Green New Deal and the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act that we addressed in the article. With so many of his policies being aimed at supporting future generations, Ed Markey is already leading a progressive push that reflects what our nation needs at the moment, and it would be counterproductive to disrupt this momentum when we are building on it.
All of us hope to see Ed Markey eventually pass the torch, but we are concerned about Seth Moulton’s vested interests and integrity in office, and we believe Ed Markey has what it takes to continue representing all of Massachusetts. While Seth Moulton claims to represent the next generation, younger voters overwhelmingly favor Ed Markey, with both the College Democrats of America and the High School Democrats of America endorsing him.