Poll Shows Markey Lead Shrinking Over Moulton in Massachusetts Democratic Primary

A new poll indicates the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts is tightening, with Rep. Seth Moulton gaining ground on Sen. Ed Markey.

The Emerson College poll, released this week, shows Markey ahead of Moulton 37% to 32%, with 29% of likely Democratic primary voters undecided. Just 2% back other candidates. The survey of 451 voters, conducted May 3 and 4, carries a 4.5% margin of error.

Markey, 79, has held the seat since 2013 and enjoys support from the Democratic establishment, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Ayanna Pressley. Moulton, 47, positions himself as a centrist and has endorsements from VoteVets PAC and the Massachusetts Teamsters.

The race ranks among the country's most competitive primaries. Markey previously led by as much as 20 points, and a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll last month had him up 47% to 30%.

"Senator Markey leads the Democratic primary by 13 points among registered Democrats, while Rep. Moulton holds a 38% to 32% edge among unenrolled voters," said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. "Markey leads women 37% to 29%, while men are essentially split, with 38% backing Moulton and 37% Markey."

Markey holds a 7-point edge, 33% to 26%, among voters under 50. Voters over 50 split 40% for Markey and 38% for Moulton.

Groups leaning toward Markey show higher undecided rates. Women are 10 points more undecided than men, at 33% to 23%. Some 39% of voters under 50 remain undecided, compared to 21% over 50, Kimball noted.

Markey and Moulton trail Sen. Warren in favorability. Markey matches her 35% unfavorable rating, while Moulton's stands at 26%.

The primary takes place Sept. 1.