Federal

U.S. Senator

Vote for: 1
Term: 6 years
Candidates: 4
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A U.S. senator votes on federal laws, confirms federal judges and cabinet members, and ratifies treaties; Massachusetts elects two for six-year terms.

Candidates Compare by issue

John Deaton

Republican

Bolton

The gist

Supports nuclear power including small modular reactors
Proposes breaking up large insurers and PBM monopoly
Proposes banning stock and crypto trading by Congress members
Supports a pathway to legal status for DACA recipients
Opposes taxing Social Security benefits
Supports codifying Roe v. Wade protections in federal law
Supports voter ID requirements

More about John

View sources (2)

Supports nuclear power including small modular reactors
VOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 Senator in Congress
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I support an “all of the above” carbon-free strategy: SMR nuclear, fusion R&D, networked geothermal, expanded hydro, and reformed solar incentives.”
Proposes breaking up large insurers and PBM monopoly
Issues
Campaign website · John Deaton for Senate · johndeatonforsenate.com
“I will fight to break up these vertically integrated insurers and break up the PBM monopoly”
Proposes banning stock and crypto trading by Congress members
Issues
Campaign website · John Deaton for Senate · johndeatonforsenate.com
“No-Trade Zone — Ban stock, crypto or commodities trading by Members of Congress.”
Supports a pathway to legal status for DACA recipients
Issues
Campaign website · John Deaton for Senate · johndeatonforsenate.com
“I support a targeted, earned pathway to legal status and ultimately citizenship for DACA recipients and similarly situated Dreamers who meet rigorous standards”
Opposes taxing Social Security benefits
Issues
Campaign website · John Deaton for Senate · johndeatonforsenate.com
“I also believe Social Security benefits should not be taxed.”
Supports codifying Roe v. Wade protections in federal law
Issues
Campaign website · John Deaton for Senate · johndeatonforsenate.com
“I've consistently supported codifying the protections of Roe into federal law”
Supports voter ID requirements
VOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 Senator in Congress
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I support straightforward voter ID requirements, which large majorities of Americans favor, to protect election integrity and confidence.”

Shiva Ayyadurai

Independent

Belmont

The gist

Supports paper ballots, hand-counting and voter ID
Proposes cutting taxes for families and small businesses
Supports term limits and banning congressional insider trading
Proposes banning poisons in food and agriculture
Opposes taxpayer subsidies to Israel and other countries

More about Shiva

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Supports paper ballots, hand-counting and voter ID
Platform
Campaign website · Shiva 4 Senate · shiva4senate.com
“Secure Elections Now – Paper ballots, hand-counting, same-day voting, Voter ID.”
Proposes cutting taxes for families and small businesses
Platform
Campaign website · Shiva 4 Senate · shiva4senate.com
“Cut taxes for families and small business so you can afford clean food, safe housing, and healthcare”
Supports term limits and banning congressional insider trading
Platform
Campaign website · Shiva 4 Senate · shiva4senate.com
“Power to the People, Not Politicians – Term limits, ban insider trading”
Proposes banning poisons in food and agriculture
Platform
Campaign website · Shiva 4 Senate · shiva4senate.com
“Clean Food, Clean Air, Clean Water – Ban poisons in food and agriculture, enforce honest labeling.”
Opposes taxpayer subsidies to Israel and other countries
Platform
Campaign website · Shiva 4 Senate · shiva4senate.com
“Stop taxpayer subsidies to Israel and others.”

Joe Tache

Socialism and Liberation

Boston

The gist

Proposes seizing the top 100 corporations
Proposes capping rent at 10% of income
Supports shifting military spending to social needs

More about Joe

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Proposes seizing the top 100 corporations
Joe Tache for U.S. Senate
Campaign website · Joe Tache for U.S. Senate · tache4ma.com
“Seize the top 100 corporations and reorganize the economy to meet our needs”
Proposes capping rent at 10% of income
Joe Tache for U.S. Senate
Campaign website · Joe Tache for U.S. Senate · tache4ma.com
“From capping rent at 10% of income to guaranteeing free healthcare and creating millions of union jobs”
Supports shifting military spending to social needs
Joe Tache for U.S. Senate
Campaign website · Joe Tache for U.S. Senate · tache4ma.com
“Fund our needs, not the war machine!”

Edward J. Markey

DemocraticIncumbent

Malden

The gist

Supports Medicare for All and lower drug prices
Proposes ending fossil-fuel subsidies and expanding renewable energy
Opposes funding to expand deportation and immigration detention
Supports ending filibuster to pass voting-rights bills
Proposes expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices
Supports AI Civil Rights Act requiring bias testing

More about Edward

View sources (1)

Supports Medicare for All and lower drug prices
VOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 Senator in Congress
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I support Medicare for All, lower prescription drug prices, universal affordable child care, an expanded Child Tax Credit, stronger SNAP benefits, and universal school meals.”
Proposes ending fossil-fuel subsidies and expanding renewable energy
VOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 Senator in Congress
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will end fossil-fuel subsidies, accelerate renewable energy and transmission through my CHARGE Act and BETTER Grid Act”
Opposes funding to expand deportation and immigration detention
VOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 Senator in Congress
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will oppose funding that expands deportation forces or detention, end private immigration detention”
Supports ending filibuster to pass voting-rights bills
VOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 Senator in Congress
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“even if that requires eliminating the filibuster for voting-rights legislation.”
Proposes expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices
VOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 Senator in Congress
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“My Judiciary Act would expand the Court to 13 justices and restore balance and legitimacy.”
Supports AI Civil Rights Act requiring bias testing
VOTE411 Voter Guide: 2026 Senator in Congress
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“My AI Civil Rights Act would require bias testing and safeguards when algorithms affect benefits, employment, housing, health care, policing, or incarceration.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.