Reading voters will choose candidates for statewide, congressional, and local legislative offices in the September 1 primary
Reading, MA – Voters across Massachusetts will head to the polls Tuesday, September 1, for the 2026 Massachusetts State Primary, with several contested races on the Democratic ballot and fewer contested races for Republicans.
In Reading, voters will cast their ballots at the Walter Hawkes Field House, the town’s central voting location. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
At the top of the Democratic ballot, voters will choose between incumbent U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton in the race for U.S. Senate. Moulton currently represents Massachusetts’ Sixth Congressional District, creating an open congressional seat for the upcoming election.
Six Democrats Seek Sixth District Nomination
Six Democrats are competing for the Democratic nomination in the Sixth Congressional District: Bethany Andres-Beck, John A. Beccia III, Jamie Belsito, Dan Koh, Mariah L. Lancaster and Tram T. Nguyen.
Belsito is a current town moderator and former state representative. Koh is a former Andover Select Board member, while Nguyen currently serves as a state representative.
The winner of the September primary will advance to the general election for the open Sixth District congressional seat.
Open Fifth Middlesex Senate Seat
Reading voters in the Fifth Middlesex District will also help select a new state senator. Sen. Jason Lewis, who currently holds the seat, is not seeking re-election.
Three Democrats are competing for the nomination: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Carey McDonald, and Ryan J. O’Malley.
Lipper-Garabedian is a current state representative and former city councilor. McDonald is a Malden city councilor at-large, while O’Malley is a Malden city councilor.
Open 20th Middlesex House Seat
For voters in Reading precincts 1, 7 and 8, the Democratic ballot includes the 20th Middlesex District race. Longtime state Rep. Bradley H. Jones Jr. is not seeking re-election after 32 years in the Massachusetts House. Jones currently represents Reading, Lynnfield, Middleton and North Reading.
For Reading voters in precincts 1, 7 and 8, Joseph Markey is the Democratic candidate for the 20th Middlesex District.
Voters in Reading precincts 2 through 6 are represented in the 30th Middlesex District, where current state Rep. Richard M. Haggerty faces Jadon Wilson of Reading in the Democratic primary.
Other Statewide And District Races
Democratic voters will also select candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.
Gov. Maura Healey is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, while Kimberley Driscoll is running for lieutenant governor. Andrea Joy Campbell is seeking the attorney general nomination; William Francis Galvin is running for secretary of state; Deborah B. Goldberg for treasurer; and Diana DiZoglio for auditor.
In the Northern District Attorney race, incumbent Marian T. Ryan faces former assistant district attorney David Marc Solet.
Republican voters will also choose nominees in several contested races, including U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, Sixth District representative and 20th Middlesex representative.
The Massachusetts State Primary is Tuesday, September 1. Reading’s central polling location is the Walter E. Hawkes Field House, with voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
