Democratic U.S. Sen. Ed Markey is seeking reelection in Massachusetts’ Nov. 3, 2026, general election, campaigning on climate action, expanded healthcare coverage, workers’ rights and affordable housing.

Markey faces Republican John Deaton, Joe Tache of Socialism and Liberation, and independent Shiva Ayyadurai, according to the Massachusetts Elections Division. The statewide race will appear on ballots in Needham and Dedham.

Background

Markey, born in Malden in 1946, earned degrees from Boston College and Boston College Law School. He served in the Army Reserve from 1968 to 1973 and in the Massachusetts House from 1973 to 1976.

He served in the U.S. House from November 1976 until July 2013, when he moved to the Senate after winning a special election. Voters reelected him in 2014 and 2020, according to his congressional biography.

Climate and energy

Markey introduced the Senate’s Green New Deal resolution in 2019 alongside a House version led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The nonbinding resolution calls for a 10-year national mobilization addressing climate change, jobs and economic security. It does not itself authorize spending or establish an enforceable program.

He also supports renewable energy, climate preparedness and ending fossil-fuel subsidies. His proposed BIG OIL from the Cabinet Act would restrict appointments to specified federal positions for people who held covered fossil-fuel executive or lobbying roles during the preceding 10 years.

These proposals could affect Massachusetts energy investment, infrastructure and employers. Changes in household bills would depend on the legislation enacted and its implementation.

Healthcare

Markey’s healthcare platform supports Medicare for All and federally supported state pathways to universal coverage. He also backs expanding Medicare’s dental, vision and hearing benefits.

His agenda includes restrictions on corporate practices that he argues threaten hospitals and patient care, along with investments in healthcare workers and community services.

Those proposals could change coverage, provider rules and federal spending. His campaign does not present a single cost estimate or financing plan covering the entire healthcare agenda.

Gun safety

Markey’s proposed Making America Safe and Secure Act would offer federal grants to states adopting qualifying licensing standards for gun owners and dealers. The bill authorizes funding without specifying a dollar amount.

He also supports restrictions on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, measures targeting untraceable firearms, and financial reporting tools intended to identify suspicious transactions associated with gun violence.

The licensing proposal would encourage state action through grants rather than automatically impose Massachusetts’ rules nationwide.

Workers and housing

Markey’s economic platform supports higher wages, stronger organizing rights and protections for workers’ health insurance during strikes and lockouts.

On housing, he favors federal investment in affordable homes, expanded rental assistance, help for first-generation homebuyers and eviction-prevention programs.

For Needham and Dedham residents, those policies could affect access to housing assistance and workplace protections. Local effects would depend on funding, eligibility rules and participation by state and local agencies.

What a senator could do

A senator can introduce legislation, vote on taxes and spending, review presidential nominations and conduct oversight.

Markey could advocate for these proposals but could not enact them alone. Major changes would require approval by Congress and the president, followed by implementation through the responsible agencies.

The Needham-Dedham Times did not receive a direct questionnaire response from the candidate and does not endorse candidates.