FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2026

Press Contact:

Vincent Errichetti

(617) 922-1824

Press@johndeatonforsenate.com

Ed Markey Shows Up Once Every Six Years. This Year, He Won't Even Do That.



"Massachusetts voters get one look at Ed Markey every six years, and this time he's decided they don't even deserve that."

BOSTON — U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton today called on Massachusetts media outlets to stop waiting on Ed Markey, lock in firm general election debate dates, and put him on notice: show up, or face the same treatment Fox 2 in Detroit gave Mike Rogers last week, an empty podium while his opponent answers every question.

"For most of his term, Ed Markey is a stranger to Massachusetts," Deaton said. "The only time voters here can count on seeing him is when he needs their votes every six years. Now it's reelection season, and he can't even be bothered to do that. He's out campaigning in other states for other candidates while ignoring the people he's supposed to represent. Why? Because he's so arrogant that he thinks this seat belongs to him. He doesn't think he has to show up, and he doesn't think he has to debate me."

"Fifty years in Washington, and Ed Markey still won't defend his record. Massachusetts families are paying some of the highest electricity bills in the country. Young people can't afford a home. The system is broken, and he helped break it. He owes voters answers, and instead he's giving them his back."

Deaton demanded that the state's major television stations, newspapers, and radio networks immediately announce specific dates, times, and formats for general election debates.

"Here's the deal. If Markey refuses to appear, do exactly what Fox 2 did in Detroit (photo below). Leave his podium empty. Put my name on mine. Let me answer every question from the moderators and the public. Massachusetts media should not protect a career politician who won't face the voters he claims to represent."

After the primary, Markey said he was "ready to debate Mr. Deaton." Since then he has made zero firm commitments, and he's spent his time campaigning everywhere except the state that elected him.

"Ed Markey was 'ready' to debate me until it was time to actually do it," Deaton said. "This isn't complicated. Set the dates. Send the invitations. If he shows up, we debate. If he doesn't, the empty podium tells voters everything they need to know. Massachusetts media works for the voters, not for Ed Markey's travel schedule. Do your job. Call the debates. And if he runs, put that empty podium on every screen in this Commonwealth."

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