The End of the Gerontocracy Narrative

The Massachusetts Democratic primary has been touted as a repudiation of the party’s “gerontocracy” problem, where older lawmakers are seen as out-of-touch and unresponsive to younger voters’ demands for change. However, a closer examination of Ed Markey’s decisive victory over Seth Moulton reveals that this narrative is more complicated than it seems.

Markey, who will be 86 by the end of another six-year term in Congress, has been a fixture on Capitol Hill since the Gerald Ford administration. His long tenure and progressive record have made him a favorite among younger voters, who see him as an ally in their fight for liberal causes. Younger voters have consistently supported Markey, despite his advanced age, because they believe he shares their values.

Moulton, at 47 years old, struggled to convince progressives that he was committed to their cause. His attempt to appeal to them by touting his progressive credentials came across as insincere, and his past comments on transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports damaged his credibility with progressive voters. This incident highlighted Moulton’s difficulty in navigating the complexities of progressive politics, particularly when it comes to issues like identity and inclusion.

The Massachusetts primary also underscores the importance of context in assessing the party’s leadership problem. Unlike other states where Democratic primaries have become contentious battles between older and younger candidates, this race was relatively low-key. Voters were more focused on electing a trusted fighter for progressive causes rather than replacing an incumbent.

This raises questions about the assumptions underlying the gerontocracy narrative. Are older lawmakers necessarily out of touch with younger voters? Do they inherently lack the energy or ideological purity to lead the party forward? Markey’s victory suggests that these assumptions may be misplaced, and that the party’s problems run deeper than just a generational divide.

The enduring popularity of Bernie Sanders among young voters is also noteworthy. His appeal reflects a willingness to defy conventional wisdom about the party’s leadership problem. It’s clear that older progressive leaders can still inspire and mobilize young people around issues like climate change, economic inequality, and social justice.

As the Democratic Party moves forward, it must move beyond simplistic narratives about gerontocracy and focus on more nuanced discussions about the role of experience and ideology in shaping leadership. Markey’s victory is a reminder that age is not destiny, and that progressive leaders can remain relevant and effective well into their 80s.

The party still has a long way to go in addressing its deeper structural problems. The Massachusetts primary may have been a reprieve from the gerontocracy narrative, but it also highlights the need for more thoughtful discussion about what it means to lead, and how to build a party that truly represents the interests of all its members – regardless of age. The stakes are high, and the outcome is far from certain.