This story was updated at 12:20 p.m. with a statement from Congressman Seth Moulton’s office.
Congressman Seth Moulton, a Democrat who grew up in Marblehead and lives in Salem, has a primary challenger for the 6th District next year. Software engineer and Midleton resident Beth Andres-Beck, who identifies as “agender,” announced their run for office Thursday morning.
“I believe America is worth fighting for,” said Andres-Beck. “This is a moment of rapid change, from AI to climate to the rule of law. Shaping our future will require leaders with courage, creativity and the ability to understand the technology they are regulating.”
They added: “Americans deserve a government that works for them, one that knows what it’s doing, not a regime of would-be kings. Voters want the option to reject corruption and crony capitalism, and I intend to deliver.”
Andres-Beck has had a 20-year career in software and served on Middleton’s Housing Trust and Master Plan Committee.
“I’m agender, trans, queer and proudly Unitarian-Universalist,” Andres-Beck writes on their website. “I sing tenor in my church choir, mentor young people and serve on multiple town committees. I’ve built a life rooted in mutual aid, public service and showing up for the people around me.”
Moulton came under fire last November for comments that some people saw as transphobic.
“I have two little girls, I don’t want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, but as a Democrat I’m supposed to be afraid to say that,” Moulton said in a November 2024 interview.
Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo and members of the Salem Public Schools denounced Moulton’s comments “in the strongest terms possible.”
“We want to reassure our LGBTQ+ students that we as direct leaders will always celebrate your identities, support your dreams and aspirations, and applaud your accomplishments,” the mayor’s statement read. “Neither fear nor political whim will shake our commitment to you.”
MassEquality Executive Director Tanya Neslusan was among several LGBTQ+ community leaders who spoke with Moulton after his remarks.
“The (trans) community is really struggling right now; it is not the time to further ‘other’ it,” she said at the time. “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
In January, Moulton joined most Democrats in Congress to vote against a bill to ban trans athletes in school athletics programs designated for female students.
Andres-Beck’s campaign spokesperson Mischa Smith told the Current that Moulton’s comments were the “tipping point” for Andres-Beck’s decision to run.
“When we beat Seth Moulton, we’ll prove what should’ve been obvious all along: trans people aren’t political props – we’re leaders,” the candidate said in a statement.
On Thursday, Moulton’s spokesperson Sydney Simon told the Current, “Congressman Moulton spent this week fighting back against the elimination of the 988 LGBTQ+ crisis line; crafting a defense authorization bill to help keep our country safe; and resisting Republican efforts to slash funding for healthcare and public broadcasting. What he is not focused on is an election that is more than a year away.”
Will Dowd contributed reporting to this article.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
