Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton and Republican attorney John Deaton clashed during a fiery Massachusetts Senate debate Tuesday night, exchanging sharp attacks on President Donald Trump, immigration policy and foreign aid while incumbent Sen. Ed Markey did not attend the event.

Markey, who was first elected to the U.S. House in 1976, remains popular with the state's most progressive voters but chose to skip the debate. Both challengers sought to position themselves as the strongest alternative to the longtime incumbent ahead of primary and general election contests.

What the Left Is Saying

Moulton heavily sought to tie Deaton to Trump during the debate, arguing that sending a Republican to Washington would be a mistake for Massachusetts voters despite Deaton's insistence he has never voted for the president.

"You may say you're independent, you may say you haven't voted for him, but you're just going to enable his agenda," Moulton said, according to Fox News reporting of the debate.

The Democratic congressman also defended Markey against Deaton's criticism while still calling for what he described as a "new generation of leadership."

"He's not a coward — he's a lifelong public servant," Moulton said. "We should honor that service."

On foreign policy, Moulton backed conditional aid to Israel, saying the U.S. should not blindly support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also noted he returned donations from AIPAC after arguing the organization's positions had shifted in recent years.

Progressive Democrats have largely rallied behind Markey, who has served in Congress for nearly five decades and maintains strong support among the party's left wing.

What the Right Is Saying

Deaton used the debate to criticize what he called the failures of both major parties while positioning himself as a populist alternative.

"'F' the Republican Party. 'F' the Democrat Party — they all suck," Deaton said during the debate, according to Fox News reporting.

The Republican candidate also slammed Markey for skipping Tuesday's debate, calling him "too much of a coward to be here tonight."

On immigration, Deaton said the U.S. should expand legal immigration but maintain what he described as "zero tolerance" for illegal immigration. He rejected calls to abolish ICE, dismissing them as an election-year "slogan" akin to efforts to defund police in 2020.

Deaton took a hardline stance on foreign aid, saying he would not support sending additional funding to Israel, Ukraine or other countries unless it is clearly proven to serve American and Massachusetts interests. He also criticized Moulton for allegedly seeking an endorsement from AIPAC before distancing himself after not receiving one.

What the Numbers Show

Moulton trails Markey in Democratic primary polling, according to Fox News reporting of the race.

Deaton is widely viewed as the clear underdog in the heavily Democratic state. The Republican previously lost to Sen. Elizabeth Warren two years ago in a Senate bid.

Markey's political durability is notable: he has served in Congress continuously since 1976, spanning nearly five decades of federal service before his 2020 Senate election victory.

The race represents one of several instances where long-serving Democratic incumbents face primary challenges from members of their own party seeking to shift the caucus in different directions.

The Bottom Line

Tuesday's debate highlighted the ideological tensions within Massachusetts' political landscape, with both candidates attempting to differentiate themselves from establishment politics while appealing to different constituencies.

Moulton must navigate between honoring Markey's decades of service and presenting himself as a fresh alternative for Democratic voters seeking new leadership. His strategy focuses on tying Deaton to Trump in a state where the president remains deeply unpopular.

Deaton faces significant structural challenges running as a Republican in Massachusetts but is attempting to build crossover appeal by criticizing both major parties. His hardline positions on immigration and foreign aid align with conservative principles he argues would benefit working Americans.

Markey's decision to skip the debate, while criticized by his challengers, reflects calculated political strategy as the frontrunner who may have more to risk than gain from direct engagement with lesser-known opponents.