BOSTON — Incumbent Sen. Ed Markey is being accused of ducking political rivals as he seeks a third term, with his Republican and Democratic challengers planning to hold an intra-party debate ahead of the election.
Markey’s Democratic challenger, Rep. Seth Moulton, and Republican candidate John Deaton announced plans late Thursday to debate each other next month without the Malden Democrat, who is running for another six-year term.
“I look forward to a spirited debate about the issues with fellow Marine Congressman Seth Moulton,” Deaton, a Bolton lawyer, said in a prepared statement Thursday night. “I hope to have several debates across the Commonwealth, and expand them with Markey, to give the voters a town hall opportunity to evaluate and decide who should be their next Senator.”
The June 16 debate, which will be moderated by WBZ’s Jon Keller, comes after Markey’s campaign has refused to participate in a three-way debate between the candidates ahead of the primary and general election.
“Seth believes we should lead by example and be willing to debate issues and answer tough questions,” Moulton’s campaign said Friday in a prepared statement. “So far, Senator Markey has refused to debate.
“We look forward to debating the racist and harmful policies of the Trump administration with John Deaton, and will keep a chair for Senator Markey if he decides to show up and face the voters,” the campaign said.
For weeks, Moulton’s campaign has been hammering away at Markey’s refusal to debate him ahead of the state party’s convention this month, when both candidates will be vying for 15% of the delegate vote to get on the Sept. 1 primary ballot.
“A primary is a job interview with the voters, who deserve to see a transparent, side-by-side comparison of candidates’ visions for the future,” Moulton’s campaign said in a prepared statement. “By refusing to debate Seth or engage with the GOP nominee, Senator Markey is ceding the floor at a time when the Commonwealth needs a fighter who doesn’t shy away from a challenge.”
Deaton suggested a three-way debate, firing off a letter to Markey last week urging him to agree to participate in the debates to show his commitment to “strengthening democratic engagement” in the state and to discuss “critical issues, facing Massachusetts and the nation.
“A direct, civil discussion between the three of us would offer Massachusetts voters a clear opportunity to compare records, positions, and visions for the future,” Deaton, of Bolton, wrote.
Deaton later took to social media to criticize Markey for declining to participate in a three-way debate.
“Massachusetts voters deserve candidates willing to step up on stage, defend their record, and earn every vote,” he posted on X. “Leadership doesn’t hide from competition. Per usual, Ed Markey is missing. The Wi-Fi down in Maryland must be spotty this week.”
Markey’s campaign brushed off criticism from both sides of the political aisle, saying the lawmaker has agreed to participate in at least two debates ahead of the Sept. 1 Democratic primary and Nov. 3 general election.
The first debate, sponsored by several news organizations, will be held on Aug. 20. A second debate, moderated by WBZ’s Keller, will be held before the general election, according to Markey’s campaign.
“The Markey campaign believes debates are an important part of the democratic process and the Senator looks forward to participating in them once the field is set,” Markey campaign manager Cam Charbonnier said in a prepared statement.