U.S. Senate side by side: where Markey, Deaton, Ayyadurai and Tache stand on 7 topics, from taxes and energy bills to schools

SOUTH COAST Four candidates for U.S. Senate are on every Massachusetts ballot today, from New Bedford and Fall River to Taunton, Wareham and Plymouth, printed in this order: Edward J. Markey (Democratic, Malden), John Deaton (Republican, Bolton), Shiva Ayyadurai (Independent, Belmont) and Joe Tache (Socialism and Liberation, Boston). Voters pick one. Polls close at 8 p.m. Below are the same seven topics for all four, each drawn from the candidate's own campaign site, in ballot order, followed by what each campaign has raised.

Markey is printed on the ballot as a candidate for re-election. His campaign site says he grew up in Malden, was elected to the U.S. House in 1976 and won a 2013 special election to the Senate. Deaton's campaign site describes him as a Marine veteran and trial attorney who lives in Bolton. Ayyadurai's site says he holds four degrees from MIT and is founder and chief executive of CytoSolve. Tache's site calls him "a youth worker, community organizer, and socialist based in Boston."

For what Question 5 itself would do, see SC360's Question 5 explainer.

Taxes and Question 5

Markey's campaign site says he is "pushing for a fairer tax system that puts working families first," including "ensuring the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share through closing tax loopholes" and an expanded Child Tax Credit. The site does not address Question 5.

An Oct. 20 Deaton campaign release calls Question 5 a "Tax Cut Ballot Question" and says it would change the state revenue formula "in a way to deliver more relief to taxpayers." His issues page says "Social Security benefits should not be taxed."

Ayyadurai's platform says to "Cut taxes for families and small business so you can afford clean food, safe housing, and healthcare" and to "End the Fed's inflation robbery." It does not address Question 5.

Tache's program calls for "a 100% tax on all assets above 10 million dollars" and for seizing the country's top 100 corporations and converting them "to public property." It does not address Question 5.

Energy and electric bills

Markey's site says he wants to lower energy and utility bills "by expanding heating and cooling assistance, protecting against shut-offs and excessive fees" and by "supporting low-cost renewable energy projects, investing in the grid and household efficiency." It lists him as lead sponsor of the Heating and Cooling Relief Act (S.1214) and the Lowering American Energy Costs Act (S.3545).

Deaton's site calls for "an all-of-the-above energy transition," including "small modular reactors (SMRs), like the ones I've proposed for Brayton Point," with "real ratepayer protections." He wants the Jones Act changed to make moving liquefied natural gas cheaper, and on Oct. 22 renewed his call to suspend the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents a gallon.

Ayyadurai's platform does not address energy prices or electric bills.

Tache's program proposes a National Climate Emergency Act "to seize and decommission the billionaires' fossil fuel infrastructure, and to build a renewable energy grid in its place."

Housing costs

Markey's site says he backs "investing in the construction and preservation of affordable homes, expanding rental assistance, supporting first-generation homebuyers" and eviction prevention.

Deaton's site supports "permitting reform that sets real deadlines for local and state approval" and opposes "green-energy mandates that force builders to absorb costs." It also backs letting people buy "fractional stakes in property" through blockchain ownership.

Ayyadurai's platform has no separate housing plan; it names "safe housing" as one reason for its family tax cuts.

Tache's campaign site calls for "capping rent at 10% of income" and says public revenue raised under his program would fund "quality housing" for all.

Roads, bridges and rail

Markey's site supports "Expanding and modernizing passenger rail by investing in electrification, infrastructure upgrades, and workforce development" and lists his All Aboard Act (S.2520). It does not name South Coast Rail, Route 24 or the Cape Cod Canal bridges.

The Deaton, Ayyadurai and Tache campaign sites do not address roads, bridges or rail.

Fishing and offshore wind

Markey's site says "warming waters are changing our coastal economies" and lists him as lead sponsor of the Fishing Industry Safety, Health, and Wellness Improvement Act (S.3225). It opposes offshore oil drilling and does not mention offshore wind by name.

Deaton's site supports "building out solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro alongside a serious recommitment to nuclear power." It does not mention offshore wind by name or address commercial fishing.

Ayyadurai's platform does not address fishing or offshore wind.

Tache's program calls for a renewable energy grid but does not mention fishing or offshore wind.

Schools money

Markey's site calls for "ensuring stable federal funding for schools and investing in modern, safe facilities." It lists him as lead sponsor of the No Cuts to Public Schools Act (S.810) and a co-sponsor of the Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026 (S.3777).

Deaton's site does not address federal money for public schools. On student loans, it backs a plan in which "borrowers pay 3-5% of their income toward their loans, and pay nothing in months they are not working."

Ayyadurai's platform says schools should "Teach real science, math, history, trades, and systems thinking so every child can build a life of strength and self-reliance."

Tache's site says Massachusetts has "a stark underresourcing of our schools in predominantly Black and immigrant neighborhoods, as well as in rural towns," and says revenue raised under his program would also fund education.

Public safety

Markey's site supports "Banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines," funding community violence intervention programs and ending qualified immunity for law enforcement.

Deaton's site would limit Flock license plate camera alerts to the most serious crimes and require a court order or warrant to search past records.

Ayyadurai's platform does not address policing or crime.

Tache's program lists "Prosecuting police officers who murder civilians," "Ending mass incarceration" and "Heavily investing in domestic violence prevention."

Campaign money

Markey's principal campaign committee reported raising $5,985,385 from Jan. 1, 2025, through Oct. 14, 2026, including $681,440 from other political committees and $2,369,238 in transfers from another authorized Markey committee, and reported no debts Oct. 14, the Federal Election Commission's summary shows.

Deaton's committee reported raising $1,674,460 from Oct. 1, 2025, through Oct. 14, 2026, including a $1 million loan from Deaton, and reported $1,005,000 in debts Oct. 14.

Ayyadurai's committee reported raising $239,098 from Jan. 1 through Oct. 14, 2026, and reported no debts Oct. 14.

Tache's committee reported raising $285,403 from Aug. 1, 2025, through Oct. 14, 2026, and reported no debts Oct. 14. No money after Oct. 14 is counted here for any candidate.

U.S. Senate campaign money through Oct. 14, 2026 (Federal Election Commission)

Candidate	Raised	From individuals	From the candidate	Spent	Cash on hand Oct. 14
Edward J. Markey, Democratic, Malden (incumbent), since Jan. 1, 2025	$5,985,385	$2,679,817	$0	$6,996,160	$799,913
John Deaton, Republican, Bolton, since Oct. 1, 2025	$1,674,460	$579,890	$1,053,414 (including a $1 million loan)	$1,186,303	$488,156
Shiva Ayyadurai, Independent, Belmont, since Jan. 1, 2026	$239,098	$228,266	$10,832	$159,434	$78,522
Joe Tache, Socialism and Liberation, Boston, since Aug. 1, 2025	$285,403	$283,295	$570	$261,623	$23,780

Where to vote today

Polls are open until 8 p.m. Find your polling place in SC360's where to vote guide, see every race on your ballot in the town by town ballot guide, and follow unofficial results after the polls close on the results page and in the SC360 Election Center.

Label: Reported by us, from the town's posted records.