Progressive Senate Candidates Win Primaries Despite Millions in Spending Gaps

3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Sep 2

Ed Markey’s Massachusetts win extended a 2026 pattern of progressive Senate candidates prevailing even when opponents dominated TV spending.
$7 million in pro-Moulton ad spending versus $3.9 million for Markey still failed to unseat the 80-year-old incumbent, who leaned on Green New Deal and Medicare for All support.
The same dynamic appeared elsewhere: Abdul El-Sayed beat Haley Stevens despite a $31.3 million-to-$6.6 million ad gap, while Peggy Flanagan won after being outspent $19.7 million to $4.7 million.
Florida offered the sharpest upset, with Angie Nixon defeating Alex Vindman after just $66,000 in ads against nearly $2.2 million for him.
The results suggest Democratic primary voters, still reacting to the party’s 2024 loss, are favoring a more progressive brand even as money remains a traditional advantage in low-turnout contests.