MA Election Results: Markey Pushes Progressive Agenda After Win

BOSTON, MA – Sen. Ed Markey pledged to put "justice on the floor of the U.S. Senate" as he pushed for a bold, progressive agenda during his victory speech after easily winning reelection Tuesday night.

Markey vowed to promote an agenda that includes Medicare for All, a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States and the Green New Deal climate bill he co-authored with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in saying "the very future of our civilization depends upon it" in the battle against global warming.

"A Green New Deal is not just about pushing to the left it is about pushing for what is right," Markey said. "A Green New Deal is more than a pathway to clean energy and jobs. It is a pathway to justice. There will be no peace, no justice and no prosperity until we stop the march to climate destruction."

Markey also said in his next six-year term he will push to expand the Supreme Court and promote the causes of the Black Lives Matter movement.

"We will not return to the so-called normal," Markey said. "We will not take the easy way out in finding the middle ground. We will think bigger, act bolder and be braver."

Markey congratulated Republican challenger Kevin O'Connor on a "civil, spirited campaign" and
credited the young people in his campaign for helping fuel his victory.

"When these young people stood up and demanded change," he said, "we let them lead our charge. Today Massachusetts voted to approve our movement's mandate for change. And I am grateful for that support."

He called the next generation "passionate disrupters and change-makers" and "unrelenting optimists."

Markey pledged: "The age of incrementalism is over. The time to be timid is over. Now is the time to think big. Build big. Be Big."

In addressing the coronavirus crisis, he said: "In the face of this devastating coronavirus pandemic we passed the largest and most just economic relief package in American history. And ensured that families and small businesses make it through this recession with a government by their side.

"We must use science to beat the virus and move the country from peril to progress."

Markey, who has served in Washington for more than four decades, survived a primary challenge from U.S. Rep Joe Kennedy when he staked out the progressive wing of the party, while Kennedy drew more moderate support.

O'Connor, a Dover lawyer who has never held statewide office, attempted to paint Markey as more concerned with Washington D.C. than the citizens of Massachusetts, but could not make up too much of the gap in an overwhelmingly Democrat state.

The Associated Press called the race for Markey at 8:13 p.m. with Markey delivering his victory remarks about one hour later.

Results: (60 percent reporting)
Markey (D): 67.9 percent
O'Connor (R): 32.1 percent

More 2020 Election Coverage: Election Results: Joe Biden, Ed Markey Roll In Massachusetts