Overview
- Hours before Thursday’s final debate, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez formally endorsed Sen. Ed Markey, reviving a high-profile progressive alliance that helped him in 2020.
- Statewide polls released this week show Markey leading by double digits, with a Suffolk University/Boston Globe survey finding a roughly 14-point edge over Rep. Seth Moulton.
- The debate highlighted fault lines voters have been watching: Moulton apologized and softened past remarks about transgender youth in sports while Markey insisted they should be allowed to participate without caveats.
- A sharp moment on artificial intelligence occurred when Markey said he uses the tools on his phone and Moulton used that answer to press the generational case for new leadership to regulate tech.
- Early voting opens Aug. 22 and the Sept. 1 Democratic primary will decide the nominee, with analysts saying turnout, returned mail ballots and late momentum could still shape the final result.