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Focus turns to November as Markey and Deaton face off for Senate
The Massachusetts primary is in the past, and it's onto the general election for Democratic Sen. Ed Markey and GOP challenger John Deaton.
The pair each claimed their party's nomination on Tuesday. Deaton ran unopposed in the Republican primary, while Markey defeated an opponent in Rep. Seth Moulton.
After the high-profile Democratic primary, Deaton is eager to make the case of why he should be the state's next U.S. senator.
"If they really want change, if they want someone who's going to be a disruptor, then they should give me a really serious look," he said Wednesday.
Markey began the general election campaign by attempting to tie Deaton to President Donald Trump.
"Massachusetts does not want to have a MAGA Republican representing them in the Senate," said Markey. "A vote to confirm Supreme Court justices that Trump might nominate, cabinet officers that Trump might nominate."
"My challenge is reaching those folks, and he's hoping that by calling me MAGA, or calling me a Trumper, that people will tune me out," Deaton said. "But we're doing a lot of microtargeting across the state."
Deaton will need to walk a tight rope with Democratic, Republican and unenrolled voters. During a town hall on Wednesday, he made clear where he stood on Trump, maintaining he has not voted for Trump in 2016, 2020 or 2024.
"This may disappoint some of you, but you're stuck with me now," he said during the event in Quincy.
Beyond that debate, both candidates are laying out their policy priorities.
"I have real solutions on energy, housing, health care, education," said Deaton.
"I ran on Medicare for all, I ran on the Green New Deal, I ran on taxing millionaires and billionaires," Markey said.
Wednesday showed an early look at each candidate's strategy as they look ahead to November.
"They want fundamental change in the direction of this country," said Markey.
"People aren't looking for ideology today, they're looking for solutions," said Deaton.
The general election will be held Nov. 3, with early voting beginning on Oct. 17 and running through Oct. 30.