{"id":2644595,"date":"2026-08-13T18:06:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T22:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/markeys-anti-super-pac-crusade-collides-with-group-attacking-moulton\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T18:09:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T22:09:38","slug":"markeys-anti-super-pac-crusade-collides-with-group-attacking-moulton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/markeys-anti-super-pac-crusade-collides-with-group-attacking-moulton\/","title":{"rendered":"Markey\u2019s anti-super PAC crusade collides with group attacking Moulton"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmarkeys-anti-super-pac-crusade-collides-with-group-attacking-moulton%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2644595&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator ed Markey (D-MA), who has previously campaigned to ban super PACs from intervening in Democratic primaries, is currently benefiting from a super PAC supporting his reelection amid a contentious primary against Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA). Despite federal laws prohibiting coordination or funding from super PACs, Markey has not publicly condemned anti-Moulton advertisements from the Commonwealth Together PAC. this PAC, which describes itself as representing Massachusetts workers and progressive groups, has run ads criticizing Moulton&#8217;s net worth and financial holdings, and also attacking his progressive credentials, while Moulton campaigns have condemned these ads as misleading. <\/p>\n<p>In the past, Markey signed a letter urging the DNC and Senate leadership to endorse a resolution banning super PACs from primaries, though critics argue such resolutions lack enforceability under current laws. the primary controversy underscores ongoing debates about dark money influence in Democratic primaries, with some questioning the feasibility of truly banning super PAC involvement. Both campaigns have remained silent or dismissive toward certain criticisms, highlighting the contentious and complex nature of this intra-party contest.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ed-markey\/\">Ed Markey<\/a> (D-MA) lobbied Democrats to ban super PACs from meddling in their primaries. Now, despite his crusade, he\u2019s being bolstered by one in a messy primary against Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3225668\/massachusetts-democrat-receives-swift-backlash-from-party-transgender-comments\/\">Seth Moulton<\/a> (D-MA).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Candidates are prohibited under federal election laws from coordinating with or receiving money from super PACs. Still, Markey has so far declined to denounce several anti-Moulton ads from the pro-Markey Commonwealth Together PAC ahead of the Sept. 1 primary, the same sort of intervention that he\u2019s lobbied the Democratic National Committee to curb by forbidding such \u201cdark money\u201d organizations from spending in primaries.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4687022\/ed-markey-super-pacs-primaries-ban-benefiting-from-one\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>A Democratic senator wanted to ban super PACs in primaries. Now he\u2019s benefiting from one<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4686859\/green-party-spoiler-candidate-lawsuit-andrew-tupone-pennsylvania-ballot\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Green Party sues to remove Pennsylvania \u2018spoiler candidate\u2019 from ballot<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4686762\/poll-trump-gop-midterm-elections-boost-issues\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Poll: Issues that could give Trump and Republicans a midterm elections boost<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.commonwealthtogetherpac.com\/news\/thirteen-ad\">latest ad<\/a> released Thursday, backed by a six-figure spend, Commonwealth Together condemns Moulton for having reportedly grown his net worth to $13 million during his nearly 12 years in Congress and owning stocks related to his work on the House Armed Services Committee. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.commonwealthtogetherpac.com\/news\">Similar ads<\/a> released in recent months accuse Moulton of being insufficiently progressive compared to Markey, a co-author of the Green New Deal, who\u2019s seeking a third term in the Senate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But last year, Markey was among the senators to sign onto an open letter led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) urging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and DNC Chairman\u00a0Ken Martin to endorse a national party resolution barring Democratic-aligned super PACs from getting involved in such primaries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGetting super PAC money and dark money out of Democratic primaries is not some pie in the sky dream,\u201d the letter said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, that\u2019s exactly how Democratic critics of the proposal have described it. Former DNC Chairman\u00a0Jaime Harrison <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/harrisonjaime\/status\/1934984119106371749?s=20\">questioned<\/a> the ability to legally enforce a party resolution that would do nothing to change federal law. Former Kamala Harris campaign staffer Ammar Moussa <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ammarmufasa\/status\/1934976007066493313?s=20\">said<\/a> Democrats might as well \u201ctie one hand around our backs\u201d because Republican groups would still be able to spend in Democratic elections to sway the outcomes in favor of weaker candidates.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither Commonwealth Together PAC nor the Markey campaign responded to requests for comment. The super PAC describes itself as a union-based group \u201crepresenting more than a quarter million Massachusetts workers, along with environmental and progressive leaders across the state, to support Ed Markey\u2019s reelection and ensure that Massachusetts voters understand the clear choice they face this September.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA). (Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/Feat.Generation.030426.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA). (Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moulton\u2019s campaign has condemned the ads, particularly one from April about Immigration and Customs Enforcement that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=WPQSfKixb2M\">claimed the congressman<\/a> \u201cvoted with Republicans to thank ICE.\u201d The claim was deemed \u201c<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.factcheck.org\/2026\/04\/an-attack-over-ice-in-the-massachusetts-democratic-senate-race\/\">misleading<\/a>\u201d and \u201c<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/politifact.com\/factchecks\/2026\/apr\/13\/commonwealth-together-pac\/moulton-markey-ice-resolutions-trump-senate-primar\/\">mostly false<\/a>\u201d by fact-checking news outlets FactCheck.org and <em>PolitiFact<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/3829176\/generational-fight-massachusetts-democratic-senate-primary-seth-moulton-ed-markey\/\">GENERATIONAL FIGHT IN BUDDING MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRATIC SENATE PRIMARY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s funny that [Markey\u2019s] corporate donors have tried to brush over his past by attacking Seth with claims already proven \u2018misleading\u2019 by independent fact-checkers,\u201d the Moulton campaign said in a May <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/sethmoulton.com\/release-50-year-incumbent-ed-markey-goes-negative-early-not-a-good-sign-for-his-campaign\/\">statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to the Moulton campaign for additional comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Markey, who sought to ban super PACs, benefits from one now<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2644598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Feat.Generation.030426.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[4087,21480,84126,5894,58765],"class_list":["post-2644595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-campaign","tag-markey","tag-moulton","tag-politics","tag-super-pac-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Feat.Generation.030426.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2644595","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2644595"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2644595\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2644602,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2644595\/revisions\/2644602"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2644598"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2644595"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2644595"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2644595"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}