Ed Markey is a Democratic senator from Massachusetts. First elected to the Senate in a 2013 special election, he won a full term in 2014 and was re-elected in 2020 after a high-profile Democratic primary against Joe Kennedy III.
Born July 11, 1946, in Malden, Massachusetts, Markey graduated from Boston College and Boston College Law School. He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives before winning a U.S. House seat in 1976. Over nearly four decades in the House, he built a reputation on telecom regulation, climate policy, nuclear safety, and consumer protections.
In the Senate, Markey is nationally identified with climate-forward policymaking. He co-authored the Green New Deal resolution with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and has pushed for aggressive clean energy investment, environmental justice, net neutrality, and stronger oversight of tech and nuclear risk.
Progressive
Achievements
- Co-authored the Green New Deal resolution with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, pushing climate justice and rapid decarbonization
- Longtime advocate for net neutrality, consumer privacy, and tech accountability
- Advanced clean energy, climate, and nuclear safety legislation across both chambers of Congress
- Vocal proponent of environmental justice, linking climate, housing, public health, and economic inequality
Controversies
- Criticized by moderates and Republicans for backing climate proposals they portray as too sweeping or too costly
- Faced skepticism in 2020 primary over whether his long tenure in Congress matched his newer progressive brand
- Pushes aggressive regulation of fossil fuels and tech platforms, drawing resistance from industry and some labor groups worried about transition costs
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| WilmerHale LLP | $304,036 | $304,036 | $0 |
| Harvard University | $251,387 | $251,387 | $0 |
| League of Conservation Voters | $233,141 | $205,250 | $27,891 |
| DLA Piper | $220,405 | $152,155 | $68,250 |
| Mintz, Levin et al | $197,289 | $197,289 | $0 |
Totals include donor-linked giving (law firms, universities, environmental / climate advocacy groups, etc.).
Recent Elections
2014 Margin D +24%
2020 Margin D +34%