Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District

Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District

Incumbent

Lori Trahan

Assumed office: January 3, 2019

Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Lori Trahan (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' 3rd Congressional District election, 2024

Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District election, 2024 (September 3 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3

Incumbent Lori Trahan won election in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lori Trahan (D)	97.5	264,698
		Other/Write-in votes	2.5	6,861

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 271,559
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3

Incumbent Lori Trahan advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3 on September 3, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lori Trahan	99.4	54,612
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	357

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 54,969
= 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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Miranda Tozier-Robbins (D)

Republican primary election

No Republican candidates ran in the primary.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Syed Hasan (R)

2022

See also: Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3

Incumbent Lori Trahan defeated Dean Tran in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lori Trahan (D)	63.5	154,496
		Dean Tran (R)	36.4	88,585
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	220

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 243,301
= 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.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3

Incumbent Lori Trahan advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3 on September 6, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lori Trahan	99.6	64,190
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	283

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 64,473
= 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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Miranda Tozier-Robbins (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3

Dean Tran advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3 on September 6, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dean Tran	99.3	24,087
		Other/Write-in votes	0.7	180

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,267
= 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.
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2020

See also: Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3

Incumbent Lori Trahan won election in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lori Trahan (D)	97.7	286,896
		Other/Write-in votes	2.3	6,643

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 293,539
= 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 3

Incumbent Lori Trahan advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lori Trahan	99.2	115,142
		Other/Write-in votes	0.8	880

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 116,022
= 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.
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2018

See also: Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3

Lori Trahan defeated Rick Green and Mike Mullen in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lori Trahan (D)	62.0	173,175
		Rick Green (R)	33.5	93,445
		Mike Mullen (Independent)	4.5	12,572
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	135

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 279,327
= 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 3

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3 on September 4, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lori Trahan	21.7	18,580
		Dan Koh	21.5	18,435
		Barbara L'Italien	15.2	13,018
		Juana Matias	15.2	12,993
		Rufus Gifford	15.0	12,873
		Alexandra Chandler	5.7	4,846
		Abhijit Das	1.7	1,492
		Jeff Ballinger	1.6	1,384
		Bopha Malone	1.6	1,365
		Leonard Golder	0.7	584

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 85,570 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= 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

• Keith St. John (D)
• Nadeem Mazen (D)
• Steve Kerrigan (D)
• Terry Ryan (D)
• Patrick Littlefield (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3

Rick Green advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 3 on September 4, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Rick Green

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= 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

• Louis Marino (R)

2016

See also: Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Niki Tsongas (D) defeated Ann Wofford (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Neither candidate faced a primary opponent in September.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 3 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Niki Tsongas Incumbent	68.7%	236,713
	Republican	Ann Wofford	31.2%	107,519
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	360
Total Votes				344,592
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

2014

See also: Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District elections, 2014

The 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Niki Tsongas (D) defeated challenger Roseann Ehrhard Wofford (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 3 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Niki Tsongas Incumbent	60.3%	139,140
	Republican	Ann Wofford	35.4%	81,638
	Write-in	Other	0.1%	204
	Blank	None	4.3%	9,843
Total Votes				230,825
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of State Official Results

General election candidates

• Niki Tsongas - Incumbent a
• Roseann Ehrhard Wofford

September 9, 2014, primary results
Democratic Primary

• Niki Tsongas - Incumbent a

Republican Primary

• Roseann Ehrhard Wofford a

2012

See also: Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District elections, 2012

The 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Jim McGovern (D) ran for the 2nd District seat due to redistricting in 2012. The 5th District incumbent Niki Tsongas (D) won the 3rd District seat. She defeated Jon Golnik (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 3 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Niki Tsongas Incumbent	63.3%	212,119
	Republican	Jon Golnik	32.6%	109,372
	N/A	All Others	0.1%	262
	N/A	Blank Votes	4%	13,358
Total Votes				335,111
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of State "Return of Votes"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Jim McGovern won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Martin Lamb (R) and Patrick Barron (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 3 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim McGovern incumbent	56.5%	122,708
	Republican	Martin A. Lamb	39.2%	85,124
	Independent	Patrick J. Barron	4.3%	9,388
	All Others		0.1%	132
Total Votes				217,352

2008
On November 4, 2008, Jim McGovern won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 3 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	James "Jim" McGovern	75%	227,619
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	23.8%	72,208
	N/A	All Others	1.1%	3,488
Total Votes				303,315

2006
On November 7, 2006, Jim McGovern won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 3 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim McGovern incumbent	77.6%	166,973
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	21.5%	46,145
	N/A	Other	0.9%	1,983
Total Votes				215,101

2004
On November 2, 2004, Jim McGovern won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Ronald Crews (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 3 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim McGovern incumbent	67.1%	192,036
	Republican	Ronald Crews	28%	80,197
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	4.7%	13,584
	N/A	Other	0.1%	179
Total Votes				285,996

2002
On November 5, 2002, Jim McGovern won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 3 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim McGovern incumbent	76.5%	213,065
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	22.6%	63,009
	N/A	Other	0.9%	2,496
Total Votes				278,570

2000
On November 7, 2000, Jim McGovern won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 3 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jim McGovern incumbent	76.5%	213,065
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	22.6%	63,009
	N/A	Other	0.9%	2,496
Total Votes				278,570

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in Massachusetts after the 2020 census

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." 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."

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.

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.

Massachusetts District 3
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Massachusetts District 3
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in Massachusetts after the 2010 census

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+11. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 3rd the 122nd most Democratic district nationally.

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+11. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 3rd the 121st most Democratic district nationally.

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) 62.7%-35.3%.

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+11. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 3rd the 120th most Democratic district nationally.

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 62.7% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 35.3%.

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' 3rd Congressional District the 133rd most Democratic nationally.

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 1.18. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.18 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Massachusetts
• Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District election, 2024
• Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District election, 2022
• Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District election, 2020
• Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 3

Footnotes

[show]

Massachusetts' current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Edward Markey (D)

Elizabeth Warren (D)

Representatives

District 1

Richard Neal (D)

District 2

Jim McGovern (D)

District 3

Lori Trahan (D)

District 4

Jake Auchincloss (D)

District 5

Katherine Clark (D)

District 6

Seth Moulton (D)

District 7

Ayanna Pressley (D)

District 8

Stephen Lynch (D)

District 9

Bill Keating (D)

Democratic Party (11)