Alex Rikleen
@rikleen.bsky.social
8.8K followers
480 following
2.3K posts
Father, husband, teacher, writer, volunteer. He/Him.
Candidate for US Senate in MA.
AlexRikleen.us
Fight. For Everyone.
instagram.com/rikleenalex/
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![METROWEST DAILY NEWS
From Wayland 'future leader' to Senate candidate: Why Alex Rikleen is challenging Ed Markey
Sophia Spiegel Boston University Statehouse Program
Updated Oct. 9, 2025, 10:21 a.m. ET
When Alex Rikleen was a Wayland High School student in 2005, the MetroWest Daily News recognized him as a "future leader" for spearheading a campaign for later school start times. Two decades later (and with those later start times since adopted), the 38-year-old father of two is testing that title on a statewide stage, mounting an insurgent challenge to U.S. Sen. Edward Markey in the 2026 Democratic primary.
"People are really fed up with the Democratic establishment, and Sen. Markey is a core part of that," Rikleen said. "He is the longest-serving Democrat in Congress and he continues to stand by (Minority Leader) Chuck Schumer's - what I would argue is - disastrous leadership."
[Alex Rikleen Democrat for Senate logo in bottom right]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:f3p4t6axzxztgniq3nkm37wo/bafkreidcafl6f2w6cgyjd2qnooqjfwwnjpi6lilrctco2izt647nyudmzi@jpeg)
!["When you combine the power of the office with the power of your platform, they amplify each other," he said. "At the moment, Democrats are not using their power in the Senate and not using their voices to amplify a narrative. That cedes the ground to Trump and the Republicans."
Establishment vs. insurgent
Rikleen is framing the race as establishment vs. outsider. With U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., also weighing a Senate bid, some see the anti-Markey vote splintering.
Rikleen disagrees.
"People are mad at D.C. Democrats, and where has Seth Moulton been for the last 10 years? In Washington," Rikleen said. "He's part of the establishment that's not doing enough."
A race about urgency and accountability
For Rikleen, the race is less about policy differences than urgency.
"I think Sen. Markey and I are aligned on a lot of issues. I'm not running because of his age," Rikleen said. "I'm running because there are things he can and should be doing that he's not."
[Alex Rikleen Democrat for Senate logo in bottom right]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:f3p4t6axzxztgniq3nkm37wo/bafkreie7op3odl6zsgzwpngicarb6ue2osunknlsuu6joa6wtvg2ozdnsi@jpeg)
Reposted by Alex Rikleen
Reposted by Alex Rikleen
