U.S. Senate, Massachusetts · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race?
Ed Markey has the strongest record in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race. Ed Markey scores 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of John Deaton at 57, as of October 9, 2026. Ed Markey's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. John Deaton's highest marks are accountability and command of the job. Shiva Ayyadurai (6 of 15 criteria) and Joe Tache (6 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Independent
Shiva Ayyadurai
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 45
- Performance
- NR
Republican
John Deaton
57 / 100
Public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 55
- Qualifications
- 60
- Performance
- NR
Democratic · incumbent
Strongest record
Ed Markey
On the ballot as Edward J. Markey
60 / 100
Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 45
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 50
Socialism and Liberation
Joe Tache
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Shiva Ayyadurai
- Mark against2021-02-17
The FEC upheld a $9,007 administrative fine against his Senate committee, Shiva 4 Senate, over its 2020 April Quarterly report; the fine was paid in full.
Source: FEC Administrative Fine #3827
- On the record2021-09-24
Presented findings in the Arizona Senate's review of Maricopa County 2020 ballots that the Arizona Mirror reported included false claims about signatures; Lead Stories rated an envelope-stamp claim from it false.
Sources: Arizona Mirror (via Tucson Sentinel), Oct. 1, 2021, Lead Stories, Sept. 24, 2021
- On the record2020-01-24
PolitiFact reported his social media claim that the coronavirus patent is owned by the Pirbright Institute; the patent concerned an animal coronavirus.
- On the record2020-10-20
Filed a federal civil rights suit against Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin in Massachusetts; the case was terminated on Aug. 11, 2021.
Source: CourtListener, Ayyadurai v. Galvin, 1:20-cv-11889 (D. Mass.)
- On the record2020
Has filed several libel suits against people disputing his account of inventing email; by 2020 one was dismissed, one settled and one pending.
Source: Boston Globe, Aug. 25, 2020
- On the record2020-09-24
Posted that Massachusetts destroyed over 1 million ballots in the 2020 Republican Senate primary; Lead Stories rated the claim not true after state officials said the ballots were sealed.
Source: Lead Stories, Sept. 28, 2020
John Deaton
- On the record2026
Says he has never supported Donald Trump for president, left his 2016 ballot blank and voted for Joe Biden in 2020.
Source: Boston Globe, Sept. 29, 2026
- On the record2026
Has loaned his 2026 campaign $1 million after putting at least $1 million of his own money into his 2024 race.
Source: Boston Globe, Sept. 29, 2026
- On the record2026-06-16
Debated Rep. Seth Moulton on WBZ in a cross-party pre-primary debate that Sen. Markey skipped.
- On the record2025-11
Donated nearly $350,000 to the Massachusetts Republican Party weeks after it endorsed him for the Senate nomination.
Source: Boston Globe, Sept. 29, 2026
- On the record2024-02
Moved from Rhode Island to Swansea, Massachusetts, shortly before launching his 2024 Senate campaign; he now lives in Bolton.
Sources: Boston Globe, Feb. 14, 2024, Boston Globe, Sept. 29, 2026
- On the record2024-05
His federal civil rights suit against Barrington over the 2017 arrest was dismissed; a 1st Circuit panel upheld the finding that officers had probable cause.
- On the record2017-09-24
Was arrested in Barrington, R.I., after an altercation at a youth football game and charged with simple assault, battery and disorderly conduct; the charges were later dismissed.
Ed Markey
- On the record2026-06-16
Did not take part in a WBZ-hosted Senate debate between Rep. Seth Moulton and John Deaton.
Source: WBUR, June 17, 2026
- On the record2026
Has pledged to step down after one more term if reelected in 2026.
Source: Boston.com, Sept. 11, 2026
- On the record2026-09-30
The Massachusetts Republican Party said he backed out of a second debate; his campaign said no WCVB debate was ever confirmed and that he will debate on WBZ on Oct. 13.
Source: NBC Boston, Sept. 30, 2026
- On the record2025-03-08
Held an open town hall at Malden High School that drew about 1,500 people.
Sources: Tewksbury Town Crier, March 15, 2025, WBUR, March 19, 2025
- On the record2023-06-01
Voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the debt limit deal Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer voted for.
- On the record2021-01-06
Voted Nay on the Senate objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's certified electors.
Sources: GovTrack, Senate Vote 1, Jan. 6, 2021, GovTrack, Senate Vote 2, Jan. 7, 2021
- On the record2005-01-06
As a House member, voted Yea on the objection to Ohio's certified presidential electors, which failed 31 to 267.
- Credit2026-05
UMass Boston awarded him its Chancellor's Medal for Exemplary Leadership as its 2026 undergraduate commencement speaker.
- Credit2021-06-17
His bill S. 475, establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, was signed into law; GovTrack credits him with 36 enacted bills as primary sponsor.
Sources: GovTrack, S. 475 (117th), GovTrack, Ed Markey
Joe Tache
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Shiva Ayyadurai. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through Sept. 30, 2026. No official ethics finding found. His 2020 committee's FEC fine is scored under Management (E20).
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00936542
John Deaton. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through Aug. 12, 2026. No FEC administrative fine and no official ethics finding found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00926139
Ed Markey. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through Aug. 12, 2026. No FEC administrative fine and no Senate Ethics Committee finding found. Senate financial disclosures not reviewed.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00196774
Joe Tache. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through Sept. 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine or official finding found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00920793
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Shiva Ayyadurai. No public record found.
John Deaton. Running as a Republican, he says he has never supported his party's presidential nominee, Donald Trump, and voted for Joe Biden in 2020; the Globe reports some on his right call him a traitor.
Source: Boston Globe, Sept. 29, 2026
Ed Markey. Voted Nay on passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act on June 1, 2023, which Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer voted for.
Joe Tache. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Shiva Ayyadurai. No public record found.
John Deaton. Debated Seth Moulton on WBZ in June 2026, holds "People Over Politics" town hall events, and is set to debate Ed Markey on WBZ-TV on Oct. 13. He has asked for more debates.
Sources: WBUR, June 17, 2026, Boston.com, Sept. 11, 2026, Boston Globe, Sept. 29, 2026, NBC Boston, Sept. 30, 2026
Ed Markey. Debated Rep. Seth Moulton on Aug. 3 and Aug. 20, 2026 before the primary and has agreed to a WBZ-TV general election debate with John Deaton on Oct. 13. He skipped a June 2026 debate.
Sources: Ballotpedia, 2026 Democratic primary, Boston Globe, Sept. 29, 2026, WBUR, June 17, 2026
Joe Tache. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Shiva Ayyadurai. No public record found.
John Deaton. Served seven years as a Marine Corps judge advocate and has run his own law firm since 2006, with no formal conduct finding found.
Sources: GBH News, July 17, 2024, Boston Globe, Feb. 14, 2024
Ed Markey. Has served in Congress since 1976, in the Senate since July 16, 2013, with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Source: GovTrack, Ed Markey
Joe Tache. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Shiva Ayyadurai. No public record found.
John Deaton. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a prosecutor. No official finding of misuse of office and no action to reject certified results found.
Source: GBH News, July 17, 2024
Ed Markey. Voted Yea on the Jan. 6, 2005 House objection to Ohio's certified electors (Roll Call 7). Voted Nay on both Senate objections in January 2021. No official finding of misuse of office found.
Sources: House Clerk, Roll Call 7, Jan. 6, 2005, GovTrack, Senate Vote 1, Jan. 6, 2021, GovTrack, Senate Vote 2, Jan. 7, 2021
Joe Tache. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Shiva Ayyadurai. Holds four MIT degrees and has founded technology companies; he is founder and CEO of CytoSolve. Has not held public office.
Sources: Boston Globe, Aug. 25, 2020, Campaign site
John Deaton. Attorney who represents asbestos victims at his own Rhode Island law firm and served as a Marine Corps prosecutor. Has not held public office.
Sources: Boston Globe, Feb. 14, 2024, GBH News, July 17, 2024
Ed Markey. U.S. senator since July 16, 2013, after representing Massachusetts in the U.S. House from 1976 to 2013.
Source: GovTrack, Ed Markey
Joe Tache. Describes himself as a youth worker and community organizer for more than ten years. No documented leadership role found. Has not held public office.
Source: Campaign site
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Shiva Ayyadurai. Publishes platform positions on his campaign site in general terms.
Source: Campaign site
John Deaton. Proposes specific federal legislation: a term-limits amendment, a "Clean Hands Act" banning congressional stock and crypto trading and lobbying, and no pay for Congress without a budget.
Sources: Ballotpedia race page, Deaton survey, Boston.com, Sept. 11, 2026
Ed Markey. Ranking member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and of a HELP subcommittee; also sits on Commerce and Environment and Public Works. Publishes issue plans on his campaign site.
Sources: GovTrack, Ed Markey, Campaign site, Issues & Priorities
Joe Tache. Publishes a party program in general terms.
Source: Campaign site
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Shiva Ayyadurai. Publishes platform positions; completed Ballotpedia's survey in 2020, not in 2026.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Shiva Ayyadurai, Campaign site
John Deaton. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey, debated in June 2026, holds town hall events and answers press questionnaires in writing.
Sources: Ballotpedia, John Deaton, Boston.com, Sept. 11, 2026, WBUR, June 17, 2026
Ed Markey. Took part in two 2026 primary debates, publishes issue plans and held an open town hall in Malden in March 2025. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Ballotpedia, 2026 Democratic primary, Campaign site, Issues & Priorities, WBUR, March 19, 2025
Joe Tache. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey and Progressive Massachusetts' 2026 congressional questionnaire, and publishes a program page.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Joseph Tache, Campaign site, Progressive Massachusetts, 2026 questionnaire
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Shiva Ayyadurai. Lives in Belmont. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 22 percent of itemized individual contributions from Massachusetts.
Sources: Boston Globe, Aug. 25, 2020, FEC contribution totals by state
John Deaton. Lives in Bolton; he moved to Massachusetts (Swansea) from Rhode Island in early 2024. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 30 percent of itemized individual contributions from Massachusetts.
Sources: Boston Globe, Sept. 29, 2026, Boston Globe, Feb. 14, 2024, FEC contribution totals by state
Ed Markey. A Malden native, born there in 1946. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 45 percent of itemized individual contributions from Massachusetts.
Sources: Boston Globe, Sept. 29, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Joe Tache. Based in Boston. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 83 percent of itemized individual contributions from Massachusetts.
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Shiva Ayyadurai. The FEC assessed his 2020 Senate committee, Shiva 4 Senate, a $9,007 administrative fine over its 2020 April Quarterly report; the fine was upheld in February 2021 and paid in full.
Source: FEC Administrative Fine #3827
John Deaton. Founded and runs his own law firm. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through Aug. 12, 2026, with no administrative fine found.
Sources: Boston Globe, Feb. 14, 2024, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00926139
Ed Markey. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through Aug. 12, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00196774
Joe Tache. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through Sept. 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00920793
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Shiva Ayyadurai. No public record found.
John Deaton. No public record found.
Ed Markey. Center for Effective Lawmaking rates him Meets Expectations for the 118th Congress (LES 2.0 of 1.107 against a benchmark of 0.912). GovTrack counts 36 enacted bills as primary sponsor, including the 2021 Juneteenth holiday law.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking Senate dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress, GovTrack, Ed Markey, GovTrack, S. 475 (117th)
Joe Tache. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Shiva Ayyadurai. No public record found.
John Deaton. No public record found.
Ed Markey. Missed 142 of 4,849 roll call votes, 2.9 percent, in GovTrack's lifetime record through September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, Ed Markey
Joe Tache. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Shiva Ayyadurai. No public record found.
John Deaton. No public record found.
Ed Markey. No public record found.
Joe Tache. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Shiva Ayyadurai. No public record found.
John Deaton. No public record found.
Ed Markey. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of minus 0.89611 for 2023, the latest posted Senate scores, ranked 82 of 98 senators scored, in the bottom quarter.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, 2023 Senate scores
Joe Tache. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Shiva Ayyadurai. No public record found.
John Deaton. No public record found.
Ed Markey. No public record found.
Joe Tache. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race?
Ed Markey has the strongest record in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race. Ed Markey scores 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of John Deaton at 57, as of October 9, 2026. Ed Markey's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. John Deaton's highest marks are accountability and command of the job. Shiva Ayyadurai (6 of 15 criteria) and Joe Tache (6 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate race in 2026?
Shiva Ayyadurai (Independent), John Deaton (Republican), Ed Markey (Democratic, incumbent), Joe Tache (Socialism and Liberation). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Shiva Ayyadurai a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Shiva Ayyadurai has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is John Deaton a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
John Deaton scores 57 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria: character 55 of 100, qualifications 60 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Ed Markey a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Ed Markey scores 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 45 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Joe Tache a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Joe Tache has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Massachusetts race scored, and the Massachusetts 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.