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Democrat vs. Democrat: five tough primaries that pit left against itself

Republicans have become famous for eating their own in primaries. The Democrats? Not so much. But there are still a handful of interesting Democrat vs. Democrat races this cycle. Here’s a list:

4. Massachusetts: Seth Moulton vs. John Tierney

Globe Newswire
Rep. John Tierney (l.) meets with employees of American Science and Engineering in Massachusetts in 2013.

In 2012, Congressman Tierney won reelection in a squeaker, amid ethics charges. That slim victory has invited a strong primary challenge this year from Iraq war vet Mr. Moulton. Marine Captain Moulton is trying to pull off the first victory in 22 years over an incumbent in a Massachusetts House primary. The vote is on Sept. 9. 

Moulton faces an uphill fight. He is a first-time candidate, but he has raised more than $1 million, partly on the strength of alumni fundraising from his former schools: Phillips Andover Academy, Harvard University, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Business School.

Last year, the House ethics committee dismissed an inquiry into the finances of Tierney and his wife, but the issue still leaves him vulnerable. Privately, some Democrats hope Moulton wins, saying he would be stronger against former state Sen. Richard Tisei, the likely Republican nominee in November. Tierney beat Mr. Tisei by only one percentage point in 2012.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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