Massachusetts Democratic Senate candidates debate transgender policy, ICE, and party direction ahead of September primary
Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Seth Moulton met for their final debate ahead of the September 1 Democratic primary in Massachusetts. The two candidates exchanged sharp disagreements on transgender athletes in sports, abolishing ICE, term limits, and the direction of the Democratic Party. The winner will face Republican attorney John Deaton in the November general election.
Single source · Not corroborated
The debate, broadcast Thursday night, featured Markey and Moulton pressing competing cases for which candidate better represents a progressive vision for Massachusetts. Both called for abolishing ICE, both expressed support for transgender athletes competing in women's sports under Massachusetts law, and both criticized President Donald Trump — yet they found sharp ground for disagreement on party strategy, accountability, and age.
On the transgender athlete question, Markey said Massachusetts law allowing transgender athletes to compete in female sports "is the correct law." He then turned on Moulton for a comment made two years earlier in which Moulton said he did not want his daughters "getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete." Markey accused Moulton of using transgender athletes as "political fodder." Moulton apologized for the remark, saying he did not intend to hurt anyone, and argued Democrats must lead the debate rather than "cede the field to Republicans."
On immigration, Moulton described ICE as "completely corrupt" and "staffed by thugs," calling for prosecutions of agency personnel. Markey said he opposed ICE's creation from the start, citing what he called "seeds of authoritarianism." Both candidates framed the Trump administration's immigration enforcement as a target for accountability.