A senator turns 80 – with a star’s backing

A Senate Lion Gets a Valiant Endorsement from Jane Fonda

As Ed Markey prepares to blow out the candles on his 80th birthday cake, he has something far sweeter than frosting to celebrate: a rousing endorsement from Jane Fonda, the legendary actress and lifelong activist. Fonda, who just turned 88, has spent over five decades championing both Hollywood and progressive causes. In a viral video clip, she hails Markey as “the boldest voice on climate” in the Senate, urging Massachusetts voters to send him back to Washington for another term.

The Battle of Experience vs. Fresh Faces

While Markey’s team frames the Fonda endorsement as proof that wisdom and tenure still matter in politics, his primary opponent, Seth Moulton, isn’t buying it. Moulton argues that voters should swap “experienced leaders” for “new energy” and has vowed that, if elected, he won’t back Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader after 2026.

Markey, however, fires back with a track record stretching back decades. He’s been a progressive champion long before buzzwords like “climate science” and “LGBTQ+ rights” dominated headlines. Bolstered by Fonda’s praise—who calls him a “courageous leader” unafraid to stand up to Trump’s “hateful agenda”—Markey’s camp portrays Moulton as out of touch with the party’s evolving values.

A Generational Clash—Or a Values One?

The feud hit a new low when Moulton’s 2024 comments about transgender athletes resurfaced. He expressed concern that a trans competitor might injure his daughters on the sports field. Now, Markey’s campaign is framing Moulton as the kind of Democrat who doesn’t align with the younger, more inclusive wing of the party.

The Stakes: September’s Democratic Primary

With the primary just months away, voters in Massachusetts face a clear choice: a seasoned progressive warrior with Fonda’s backing or a younger critic pushing for a new guard. The winner will face Republican John Deaton in November—but for now, Markey’s camp is betting that voters still trust a fighter with decades of wins over a challenger who questions the status quo.

One thing’s certain: At 80, Markey isn’t slowing down.