U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton met with young voters at Johnny’s Luncheonette in Newton Tuesday, August 18, to discuss housing affordability, transportation, reproductive rights and other issues as he campaigns for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
Moulton, who is challenging longtime U.S. Senator Ed Markey in the September 1 Democratic primary, held a roundtable lunch with young voters at Johnny’s Luncheonette before visiting the Newton Farmers Market at Cold Spring Park.
Housing affordability emerged as one of the central concerns raised by young voters, particularly the challenge of remaining in Massachusetts after graduating from college.
Moulton pointed to expanded public transportation as one way to address the state’s high housing costs. He argued that faster and more accessible rail connections to Boston could allow people to live farther from the city while still maintaining access to jobs and economic opportunities.
The proposal builds on Moulton’s longstanding focus on passenger rail. In May, he reintroduced the American High-Speed Rail Act, which would authorize up to $41 billion annually for five years toward high-speed passenger rail infrastructure. The legislation also calls for transit-oriented development incentives intended to encourage affordable housing and commercial development around rail hubs.
Moulton also referenced his hometown of Marblehead while discussing housing, arguing that communities facing high housing costs need to create more opportunities for development.
His comments come as housing affordability remains a significant issue for young Massachusetts residents, particularly those considering whether they will be able to remain in the state after college.
The conversation also touched on homelessness, abortion, and transgender athletes. Moulton argued that Democrats need to speak more directly about contentious cultural issues rather than allowing Republicans to define the conversation. He said Democrats should be willing to discuss issues including abortion and transgender participation in sports rather than avoiding them out of fear of political backlash.
Moulton has previously drawn attention for his comments about transgender athletes. At the same time, he has continued to support broader protections for transgender Americans, including joining as an original co-sponsor of the Transgender Bill of Rights in February.
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was generational change, a central argument of Moulton’s campaign against Markey, who has served in Congress for nearly five decades.
Moulton addressed his campaign’s difficulty connecting with younger voters, arguing that many voters in the 18-to-29 age group are more familiar with Markey because he has been in office for much of their lives. He also argued that his background in science and technology gives him a different, more insightful perspective on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence.
Moulton holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Harvard College, as well as master’s degrees in business administration and public administration from Harvard.
The latest polling suggests Moulton faces a significant challenge among younger voters. A UMass Amherst/WCVB poll conducted August 5–12 found Markey leading Moulton 53% to 22% among likely Democratic primary voters ages 18 to 29, while Markey led Moulton 60% to 32% overall.
The poll came roughly two weeks before the September 1 primary.
Moulton’s Newton visit concluded with a stop at the Newton Farmers Market, where he met with residents, volunteers, and supporters.
For young voters at the roundtable, however, the discussion centered on a question that extends beyond the upcoming primary: whether Massachusetts will remain a place where their generation can afford to build a life.