Seth Moulton is challenging Ed Markey for the U.S. Senate and used a July 13 meeting with reporters to lay out the issues driving that race. He said the campaign is about generational change and about specific problems in Massachusetts that affect housing costs, transit, health insurance and immigration.
During the discussion, Moulton said Massachusetts needs to build more housing to address what he called a “fundamental … supply and demand problem.” He also said Boston should focus on improving transit rather than expanding into suburban areas like Waltham, where he said residents feel the pressure of higher housing costs and slower commutes.
MBTA and Waltham
Moulton said subways and commuter rail services are running at or below 1950s standards. He said the MBTA could cut transit times by electrifying rail lines and upgrading equipment, and he argued that shorter travel times would make it possible for residents to live in places like Fitchburg and still work in Greater Boston.
That transit argument connects directly to daily decisions about where people can afford to live and how long they spend getting to work. Moulton’s pitch was not only about fixing service, but about widening the number of places that remain workable for commuters.
Waltham health insurance
Moulton said health insurance is making a huge dent in municipal budgets, including in Waltham. He said he favors a “Medicare-for-all-who-want-it” model and that a single-payer option could cut costs while protecting residents’ right to health care.
He also said his office has received four awards from the Congressional Management Foundation, including two for constituent services. That record is part of the case he is making to voters as he seeks a seat in the Senate while holding a House seat he has had since 2014.
ICE and surveillance
Moulton said a lot of immigration policy is ineffective and outdated. He blamed Republicans for blocking Democratic immigration reforms and Democrats for failing to fix the system when they have held power, then said he opposes the actions of ICE under President Donald Trump.
He said, “It’s not enough just to say you’re opposed to [ICE] … we need to hold these people accountable,” and added, “You can’t have law enforcement who thinks they’re above the law.” Moulton said he wants to abolish ICE and take its leadership and agents to court.
He also said, “I think all this surveillance is frightening,” when asked about data that large tech companies collect on Americans. He pointed to Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader cameras, which are being used by law enforcement, including in Waltham, as part of the broader concern.
Markey has served in Congress for 50 years, including the past 12 years as a senator. Moulton, who is 49 years old, is trying to turn those contrasts into the main issue in the September primary election for the U.S. Senate.
The race now turns to how much support Moulton can build against Markey before Massachusetts voters choose a nominee in September.
