More than a third of Massachusetts voters cast their ballots for Donald Trump in 2024. But the Bay State hasn’t sent a Republican to the House since 1994, thanks to a gerrymandered map — and the fact that Republican voters aren’t consolidated in one part of the state — keeping its nine Democrats in solidly blue districts. Last November, just four members faced Republican opponents at all, and all won reelection by double-digit margins.
Massachusetts Democrats’ dominance isn’t likely to change anytime soon. But the commonwealth could host at least one interesting intraparty contest next year. Longtime Rep. Stephen Lynch, one of the most moderate members of the Democratic Caucus, faces a primary challenge from Patrick Roath, a 38-year-old attorney hoping to ride a wave of enthusiasm for a new generation of candidates within the party right now.
And the youngest third of the delegation — Reps. Jake Auchinchloss, Ayanna Pressley and Seth Moulton — are all quietly considering mounting challenges to 78-year-old Sen. Ed Markey, who insists that he’s running for reelection next year. Five years ago, Markey won
What is The Cook Political Report?
The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the US House of Representatives, US Senate, Governors and President as well as American political trends.
Subscribe Today
Our subscribers have first access to individual race pages for each House, Senate and Governors race, which will include race ratings (each race is rated on a seven-point scale) and a narrative analysis pertaining to that race.