Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on Monday threw her support behind U.S. Sen. Ed Markey in the Democratic primary, siding with the longtime progressive over U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton. Wu cast the endorsement as a push for stability on climate, health care and economic justice work that she and Markey have been championing together. The move tightens the political chessboard in Massachusetts and plants Boston’s mayor firmly in the incumbent’s camp.
Wu's Statement And The Campaign Reaction
In a statement shared by Markey’s campaign, Wu praised Markey as "a longstanding partner for Boston families" and highlighted his record on climate and transit policy. Markey, in turn, thanked Wu and called her "one of the boldest and most visionary leaders in America today" as he welcomed her backing. As reported by The Boston Globe, Markey’s team rolled out the endorsement announcement on Monday.
A Long-Standing Partnership
Markey has already helped boost Wu’s rise, including a public endorsement during her first run for mayor, and the pair have since teamed up on efforts to secure federal help for Boston priorities such as fare-free transit and climate resilience projects. That shared history makes Wu’s move look less like a surprise and more like political follow-through. WGBH previously reported on Markey’s earlier endorsement of Wu.
Who's Lining Up
Wu is joining a roster of prominent Massachusetts Democrats already in Markey’s corner, including House Whip Katherine Clark, Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. According to The Boston Globe, these endorsements signal how Markey has locked in much of the state’s progressive wing ahead of primary day.
Moulton's Coalition
Moulton, for his part, is pitching himself as a generational change candidate and has assembled support from veterans’ organizations and parts of the labor movement. VoteVets announced its endorsement on Feb. 3, and the Utility Workers Union of America followed with its own backing in January, a sign that veterans and select unions intend to be visible players in this primary fight. See the VoteVets release and the UWUA statement for more on those endorsements.
What To Watch Next
Wu’s nod could help Markey further lock down Boston’s progressive base, but the contest is still likely to hinge on turnout, outside spending and which coalitions can mount the strongest ground game across the state. Early polling has given Markey an advantage in head-to-head matchups, while the race remains competitive on fundraising and organizing, as NBC Boston has reported. The next stretch of the campaign will test whether local power brokers, union muscle or national groups end up steering the final outcome.
