Seth Moulton

The Massachusetts Democratic Party’s 2026 Nominating Convention is at the DCU Center in Worcester May 29 – 30.

At the convention, delegates will vote on Democratic candidates for statewide office. Candidates must get at least 15% of the delegate vote to qualify for the September primary ballot.

How well Moulton does at the convention could determine whether the senate race will be competitive after all.

The future of Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton’s bid to replace incumbent Sen. Ed Markey could be determined at the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s 2026 Nominating Convention in Worcester this weekend.

At the convention, delegates will vote on Democratic candidates for statewide office. Candidates must get at least 15% of the delegate vote to qualify for the September primary ballot.

With most of the races uncontested, the Massachusetts Senate race will be the one to watch.

“I think everybody went into the winter, spring wondering if Seth Moulton could get his 15%,” said Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic strategist. “It turns out he may have exceeded all expectations.”

The convention will take place at the DCU Center on Friday and Saturday, May 29 and 30. MassDems communication manager Laura Giordano said the party anticipates a turnout of about 5,000 delegates.

Convention could determine direction of Senate race

Moulton is challenging Markey for his seat in the Senate, arguing that it’s time for change. Markey has represented Massachusetts at the federal level in some capacity since 1976, first in the House and then, since 2013, in the Senate.

Since entering the race, Moulton has largely trailed the popular incumbent in the polls. And earlier this year, it was unclear whether Moulton would be able to garner the 15% support at the convention needed to make the ballot.

But Marsh said Moulton has done an effective job at recruiting unenrolled or independent voters to register as Democrats and get elected as delegates to the convention in order to shore up his support. An Emerson College poll in early May found Moulton just five points behind Markey.

Now, how well Moulton does at the convention could determine whether the Senate race will be competitive after all.

“Not only does he get 15% in and get on the ballot, how much better than that does he do? Does he get to 20? Does he get to 25? Does he go beyond that? I think that's one thing to look for. And, if that happens, does another poll come out, a credible poll, that shows a five-point race?” Marsh said. “If those two things happen over the weekend, going into next week, then I think we have a race.”

What other races will be decided at the convention?

The other offices up for nomination at the convention are for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of the commonwealth, state treasurer and state auditor.

All of these offices feature incumbents who are unopposed.

They are Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin, Treasurer Deb Goldberg and Auditor Diana DiZoglio.

How does the convention work?

Cities and towns in Massachusetts have been electing delegates at caucuses all year.

At the convention, these delegates will vote for statewide candidates. Voting is conducted by a roll call vote, with tellers collecting each delegation’s results, according to MassDems. Uncontested races will be taken by voice vote.

All voting for contested races will happen Saturday.

Any candidate who receives at least 15% of the vote will make the general election ballot. A candidate who gets a majority will receive the party’s endorsement.

What is the schedule?

Doors open for the convention at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, with the "gavel in" at 6:30 p.m. From 7 to 8:40 p.m. there will be speakers, including Healey, Driscoll, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., and state Sen. Robyn Kennedy, D-Worcester. An afterparty hosted by Team Healey/Driscoll and MassDems will follow.

On Saturday, doors open at 8 a.m. with gavel in at 10 a.m. Speakers will include Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., as well as all the remaining unopposed candidates up for nomination.

After the speaking and nomination program has ended for all unopposed candidates, according to MassDems, Moulton and Markey will speak. A roll call vote will follow.

Watch the MassDems 2026 Convention