Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District

Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District

Incumbent

Stephen Lynch

Assumed office: January 3, 2013

Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Stephen Lynch (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' 8th Congressional District election, 2024

Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District election, 2024 (September 3 Democratic primary)

Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District election, 2024 (September 3 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8

Incumbent Stephen Lynch defeated Robert Burke in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephen Lynch (D)	70.4	265,432
		Robert Burke (R)	29.4	110,638
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	760

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 376,830
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8

Incumbent Stephen Lynch advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8 on September 3, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephen Lynch	98.7	64,761
		Other/Write-in votes	1.3	861

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 65,622
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8

Robert Burke defeated James Govatsos and Daniel Kelly in the Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8 on September 3, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Burke	46.1	10,335
		James Govatsos	27.7	6,216
	Submit photo	Daniel Kelly	25.7	5,761
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	127

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 22,439
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Matthew Lynch (R)

2022

See also: Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8

Incumbent Stephen Lynch defeated Robert Burke in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephen Lynch (D)	69.7	189,987
		Robert Burke (R)	30.1	82,126
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	451

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 272,564
= 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 8

Incumbent Stephen Lynch advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8 on September 6, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephen Lynch	99.0	73,191
		Other/Write-in votes	1.0	715

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 73,906
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Michael Ruiz (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8

Robert Burke defeated Hamilton Soares Rodrigues in the Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8 on September 6, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Burke	73.0	19,173
		Hamilton Soares Rodrigues	26.6	6,977
		Other/Write-in votes	0.5	124

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 26,274
= 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

• Ray Alongi (R)

2020

See also: Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8

Incumbent Stephen Lynch defeated Jonathan D. Lott in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephen Lynch (D)	80.7	310,940
		Jonathan D. Lott (Healthcare Environment Stability)	18.7	72,060
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	2,401

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 385,401
= 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 8

Incumbent Stephen Lynch defeated Robbie Goldstein in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephen Lynch	66.4	111,542
		Robbie Goldstein	33.5	56,219
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	222

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 167,983
= 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

• Mohammad Dar (D)
• Brianna Wu (D)

2018

See also: Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8

Incumbent Stephen Lynch won election in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephen Lynch (D)	98.4	259,159
		Other/Write-in votes	1.6	4,148

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 263,307
= 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 8

Incumbent Stephen Lynch defeated Brianna Wu and Christopher Voehl in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 8 on September 4, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephen Lynch	71.0	52,269
		Brianna Wu	22.9	16,878
		Christopher Voehl	6.0	4,435

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 73,582
= 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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2016

See also: Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District election, 2016

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

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 8 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Stephen Lynch Incumbent	72.4%	271,019
	Republican	William Burke	27.5%	102,744
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	502
Total Votes				374,265
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

2014

See also: Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 8th Congressional District of Massachusetts held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Stephen Lynch (D) won an uncontested general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 8 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Stephen Lynch Incumbent	76.6%	200,644
	Write-in	Other	1%	2,707
	Blank	None	22.3%	58,430
Total Votes				261,781
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of State Official Results

General election candidates

• Stephen Lynch - Incumbenta

September 9, 2014, primary results
Democratic Primary

• Stephen Lynch - Incumbent a

2012

See also: Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 8th District of Massachusetts held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Michael Capuano (D) ran for the 7th District seat due to redistricting in 2012. The 9th District incumbent Stephen Lynch won the 8th District seat. He defeated Joe Selvaggi (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 8 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Stephen Lynch Incumbent	71%	263,999
	Republican	Joe Selvaggi	22.1%	82,242
	N/A	All Others	0.2%	570
	N/A	Blank Votes	6.7%	24,883
Total Votes				371,694
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of State "Return of Votes"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Michael Capuano won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 8 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Michael Capuano incumbent	98%	134,974
	None	Other	2%	2,686
Total Votes				137,660

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

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 8 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Michael Capuano incumbent	76%	185,530
	None	Other	1.1%	2,722
	None	Blank/Scattering	22.9%	55,761
Total Votes				244,013

2006
On November 7, 2006, Michael Capuano won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Laura Garza (Socialist Workers) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 8 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Michael Capuano incumbent	78.7%	125,515
	Socialist Workers	Laura Garza	7.8%	12,449
	N/A	Other	0.3%	491
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	13.2%	20,970
Total Votes				159,425

2004
On November 2, 2004, Michael Capuano won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 8 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Michael Capuano incumbent	76.9%	165,852
	N/A	All Others	1%	2,229
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	22.1%	47,719
Total Votes				215,800

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

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 8 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Michael Capuano incumbent	72%	111,861
	N/A	Other	0.3%	495
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	27.6%	42,923
	N/A	Write-in	0%	25
Total Votes				155,304

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

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 8 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Michael Capuano incumbent	71%	144,031
	N/A	Other	0.5%	1,041
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	28.4%	57,651
Total Votes				202,723

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 8
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Massachusetts District 8
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 8th 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+15. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 15 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 8th the 93rd 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+15. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 15 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 8th the 91st 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) 66.9%-31.4%.

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+15. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 15 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 8th the 89th 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 66.9% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 31.4%.

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+10. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 10 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District the 120th 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 1.13. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.13 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Massachusetts
• Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District election, 2024
• Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District election, 2022
• Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District election, 2020
• Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 8

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)