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Massachusetts' 2nd Congressional District
Massachusetts' 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Jim McGovern (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Massachusetts representatives represented an average of 781,497 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 728,849 residents.
Elections
2024
See also: Massachusetts' 2nd Congressional District election, 2024
Massachusetts' 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (September 3 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2
Incumbent Jim McGovern defeated Cornelius Shea in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jim McGovern (D) | 68.6 | 251,441 |
 | Cornelius Shea (Unenrolled)  | 31.1 | 114,065 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 822 | ||
| Total votes: 366,328 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2
Incumbent Jim McGovern advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2 on September 3, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim McGovern | 99.6 | 56,343 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 225 | ||
| Total votes: 56,568 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
No Republican candidates ran in the primary.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2
Incumbent Jim McGovern defeated Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim McGovern (D) | 66.2 | 180,639 |
 | Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette (R) | 33.7 | 91,956 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 276 | ||
| Total votes: 272,871 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2
Incumbent Jim McGovern advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2 on September 6, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim McGovern | 99.7 | 69,839 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 216 | ||
| Total votes: 70,055 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2
Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2 on September 6, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette | 99.4 | 22,675 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.6 | 140 | ||
| Total votes: 22,815 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Nicholas Barassi (R)
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2
Incumbent Jim McGovern defeated Tracy Lovvorn in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim McGovern (D) | 65.3 | 249,854 |
 | Tracy Lovvorn (R) | 34.6 | 132,220 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 378 | ||
| Total votes: 382,452 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2
Incumbent Jim McGovern advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2 on September 1, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim McGovern | 99.4 | 121,645 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.6 | 686 | ||
| Total votes: 122,331 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Summer Miller (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2
Tracy Lovvorn advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2 on September 1, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tracy Lovvorn | 99.1 | 26,456 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 241 | ||
| Total votes: 26,697 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2
Incumbent Jim McGovern defeated Tracy Lovvorn in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim McGovern (D) | 67.2 | 191,332 |
| Tracy Lovvorn (R) | 32.8 | 93,391 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 170 | ||
| Total votes: 284,893 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Paul Grady (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2
Incumbent Jim McGovern advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2 on September 4, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim McGovern | 100.0 | 53,848 |
| Total votes: 53,848 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Dominic Warren (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2
Tracy Lovvorn defeated Kevin Powers in the Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 2 on September 4, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tracy Lovvorn | 60.8 | 15,792 |
 | Kevin Powers | 39.2 | 10,170 | |
| Total votes: 25,962 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Jim McGovern (D) was the only candidate to file in the district. Because of this, McGovern won re-election by default in the November 8, 2016 general election.[1][2]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Jim McGovern Incumbent |
98.2% | 275,487 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 1.8% | 4,924 | |
| Total Votes | 280,411 | |||
| Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth | ||||
2014
The 2nd Congressional District of Massachusetts held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Jim McGovern (D) won an uncontested general election.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim McGovern Incumbent |
71.9% | 169,640 | |
| Write-in | Other | 1.3% | 3,105 | |
| Blank | None | 26.7% | 63,068 | |
| Total Votes | 235,813 | |||
| Source: Massachusetts Secretary of State Official Results | ||||
General election candidates
Jim McGovern - Incumbent 
September 9, 2014, primary results
Democratic Primary
- Jim McGovern - Incumbent
Failed to qualify
2012
The 2nd Congressional District of Massachusetts held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Richard Neal (D) ran for the 1st District seat due to redistricting in 2012. The 3rd District incumbent Jim McGovern (D) won the 2nd District seat in an unopposed race.[5]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim McGovern Incumbent |
75.6% | 259,257 | |
| N/A | All Others | 1.2% | 4,078 | |
| N/A | Blank Votes | 23.2% | 79,401 | |
| Total Votes | 342,736 | |||
| Source: Massachusetts Secretary of State "Return of Votes" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Richard Neal won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Tom Wesley (R) in the general election.[6]
| U.S. House, Massachusetts District 2 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Richard Neal incumbent |
57.3% | 122,547 | |
| Republican | Tom Wesley | 42.7% | 91,181 | |
| Total Votes | 213,728 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Richard Neal won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.[7]
| U.S. House, Massachusetts District 2 General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Richard Neal incumbent |
76.4% | 234,369 | |
| N/A | Blank/Scattering | 22.4% | 68,820 | |
| N/A | All Others | 1.2% | 3,631 | |
| Total Votes | 306,820 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Richard Neal won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.[8]
| U.S. House, Massachusetts District 2 General Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Richard Neal incumbent |
77.4% | 164,939 | |
| N/A | Blank/Scattering | 21.7% | 46,145 | |
| N/A | Other | 0.9% | 1,983 | |
| Total Votes | 213,067 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, Richard Neal won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.[9]
| U.S. House, Massachusetts District 2 General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Richard Neal incumbent |
76.7% | 217,682 | |
| N/A | Blank/Scattering | 22.3% | 63,461 | |
| N/A | Other | 1% | 2,802 | |
| Total Votes | 283,945 | |||
2002
On November 2, 2004, Richard Neal won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.[10]
| U.S. House, Massachusetts District 2 General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Richard Neal incumbent |
76.7% | 217,682 | |
| N/A | Blank/Scattering | 22.3% | 63,461 | |
| N/A | Other | 1% | 2,802 | |
| Total Votes | 283,945 | |||
2000
On November 7, 2000, Richard Neal won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.[11]
| U.S. House, Massachusetts District 2 General Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Richard Neal incumbent |
94.6% | 196,670 | |
| N/A | Blank/Scattering | 5.3% | 11,099 | |
| N/A | Other | 0% | 89 | |
| Total Votes | 207,858 | |||
District map
Redistricting
2020-2021
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed the state’s new congressional maps into law on November 22, 2021. Both chambers of the legislature approved the new maps on November 17, 2021. The state House approved the plan by a vote of 151-8 with 127 Democrats, 23 Republicans, and one independent voting in favor and six Republicans and two Democrats voting against. The state Senate approved the new congressional maps 26-13, with 24 Democrats and two Republicans voting in favor and 12 Democrats and one Republican opposed. In the previous redistricting cycle, Massachusetts adopted its congressional map almost ten years ago to the day—on Nov. 21, 2011. This map took effect for Massachusetts’ 2022 congressional elections.
As Nik DeCosta-Klipa wrote at Boston.com after the legislature approved the maps, "unlike the partisan redistricting fights happening across much of the country, the map has been an argument among Democrats in reliably-blue Massachusetts. While the proposal does not dramatically alter the general contours of the state’s nine Democrat-held House districts...some of the tweaks around the edges have elicited vocal — to some, surprising — outcry."[12] State Sen. Will Brownsberger (D), chair of the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting, said that he was unhappy that some members objected to the new maps. He said, "It’s always my goal to assure that every single senator is satisfied with the results of the redistricting process."[12]
How does redistricting in Massachusetts work? In Massachusetts, congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. The lines drawn by the state legislature are subject to veto by the governor.[13]
State statutes require that state legislative district boundaries be contiguous and "reasonably preserve counties, towns, and cities intact, where otherwise possible." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[13]
Massachusetts District 2
until January 2, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Massachusetts District 2
starting January 3, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
2010-2011
In 2011, the Massachusetts State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.
District analysis
- See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
- See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores
2026
Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+13. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 13 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 2nd the 97th most Democratic district nationally.[14]
2024
Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+13. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 13 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 2nd the 110th most Democratic district nationally.[15]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 64.3%-33.5%.[16]
2022
Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+13. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 13 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 2nd the 108th most Democratic district nationally.[17]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 64.3% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 33.5%.[18]
2018
Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 2nd Congressional District the 131st most Democratic nationally.[19]
FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.21. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.21 points toward that party.[20]
See also
- Redistricting in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts' 2nd Congressional District election, 2024
- Massachusetts' 2nd Congressional District election, 2022
- Massachusetts' 2nd Congressional District election, 2020
- Massachusetts' 2nd Congressional District election, 2018
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of State, "DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR NOMINATION," accessed June 15, 2016
- ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of State, "REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR NOMINATION," accessed June 15, 2016
- ↑ Daniel Dubrule for Congress, "Home," accessed May 13, 2014
- ↑ Massachusetts Secretary of State Elections, "List of Republican Primary Candidates," accessed June 5, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Massachusetts"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Boston.com, "Following contentious debate, the new Massachusetts congressional map is in Charlie Baker’s hands," November 18, 2021
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 All About Redistricting, "Massachusetts," accessed May 4, 2015
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)," accessed July 1, 2025
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
