Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton’s (D) primary challenge against Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) on generational grounds raises questions about the potency of the argument as Democrats grapple with the future of their party’s aging stalwarts.

In a video launching his campaign, Moulton, 46, said he does not believe Markey, 79, should be running for another six-year term in the Senate at 80 years old. The challenge comes as Democrats have struggled with the issue of age following the deaths of three House Democrats earlier this year and the fallout over former President Biden’s decision to end his run for reelection last year on concerns over his fitness for office.

However, this is not the first time Markey, a formidable incumbent, has had a generational primary challenge. Five years ago, he faced one from former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who is 34 years younger. The incumbent Massachusetts senator handily defeated Kennedy, marking the first time a member of the Kennedy family lost a statewide race in Massachusetts.

“This race in many ways parallels the last race Markey had,” said Mary Anne Marsh, a veteran Massachusetts Democratic strategist. “Markey was successful because he defined the race, defined himself, and defined Joe Kennedy before Joe Kennedy did any of those things.”

“That's the same challenge right now: Can Ed Markey define Seth Moulton before Seth Moulton defines himself and simply runs on age?” she said.

In his announcement video, Moulton directly called out Markey’s tenure on Capitol Hill, which includes 12 years in the Senate and 37 years in the House of Representatives.

“We’re in a crisis, and with everything we learned last election, I just don’t believe Sen. Markey should be running for another six-year term at 80 years old. Even more, I don’t think someone who’s been in Congress for half a century is the right person to meet this moment and win the future,” Moulton said. “Sen. Markey is a good man, but it’s time for a new generation of leadership, and that’s why I’m running........

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