2026 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

The 2026 United States Senate election in Massachusetts will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Incumbent two-term Democratic Senator Ed Markey, was re-elected in 2020 with 66.2% of the vote and is running for re-election to a third full term.

Markey, who will be 80 years old at the time of the 2026 election, has faced calls to retire due to his age.^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Ed Markey, incumbent U.S. Senator (2013–present)^[2]

Potential

The following people have been speculated as potential candidates in the event that Markey drops out of the race.

Jake Auchincloss, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district (2021–present)^[3]
Andrea Campbell, Massachusetts Attorney General (2023–present)^[3]
Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts (2023–present)^[3]
Joe Kennedy III, former U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland (2022–2024), former U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district (2013–2021), and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020^[3]
Deval Patrick, former Governor of Massachusetts (2007–2015) and candidate for president in 2020^[3]
Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district (2019–present)^[3]
Lori Trahan, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district (2019–present)^[3]
Marty Walsh, former U.S. Secretary of Labor (2021–2023) and former mayor of Boston (2014–2021)^[3]
Michelle Wu, mayor of Boston (2021–present)^[3]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declined

Charlie Baker, president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (2023–present) and former Governor of Massachusetts (2015–2023)^[4]

General election

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Charlie Baker	Ed Markey	Other	Undecided
MassINC Polling	October 29 – November 1, 2024	582 (LV)	± 4.9%	40%	34%	3%	19%

Notes

^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

References

^ Keller, Jon (October 20, 2024). "Is it time for Ed Markey to step aside? Chairman of Massachusetts Democrats weighs in". CBS News. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
^ Medsger, Matthew (October 27, 2024). "Ed Markey says he will seek a third term in 2026, when he will be 80 years old". Boston Herald.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Tenser, Phil (October 17, 2024). "Findings of new poll suggest Mass. believes both senators are too old". WCVB-TV. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
^ Altimari, Daniela; Ellen McIntire, Mary (January 7, 2025). "An early look at potentially vulnerable senators in 2026". Roll Call. Retrieved January 7, 2025. Baker is currently the head of the NCAA and a spokesman for the organization dismissed the rumors, saying Baker is 'not running for any political office.'

[Key-5] Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[1] Keller, Jon (October 20, 2024). "Is it time for Ed Markey to step aside? Chairman of Massachusetts Democrats weighs in". CBS News. Retrieved December 4, 2024.

[2] Medsger, Matthew (October 27, 2024). "Ed Markey says he will seek a third term in 2026, when he will be 80 years old". Boston Herald.

[old-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Tenser, Phil (October 17, 2024). "Findings of new poll suggest Mass. believes both senators are too old". WCVB-TV. Retrieved December 24, 2024.

[4] Altimari, Daniela; Ellen McIntire, Mary (January 7, 2025). "An early look at potentially vulnerable senators in 2026". Roll Call. Retrieved January 7, 2025. Baker is currently the head of the NCAA and a spokesman for the organization dismissed the rumors, saying Baker is 'not running for any political office.'

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