Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District

Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District

Incumbent

Ayanna Pressley

Assumed office: January 3, 2019

Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Ayanna Pressley (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' 7th Congressional District election, 2024

Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District election, 2024 (September 3 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7

Incumbent Ayanna Pressley won election in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ayanna Pressley (D)	97.1	232,094
		Other/Write-in votes	2.9	6,907

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 239,001
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7

Incumbent Ayanna Pressley advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7 on September 3, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ayanna Pressley	98.2	57,172
		Other/Write-in votes	1.8	1,020

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 58,192
= 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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2022

See also: Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7

Incumbent Ayanna Pressley defeated Donnie Palmer in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ayanna Pressley (D)	84.6	151,825
		Donnie Palmer (R)	15.1	27,129
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	557

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 179,511
= 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 7

Incumbent Ayanna Pressley advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7 on September 6, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ayanna Pressley	98.7	69,227
		Other/Write-in votes	1.3	893

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 70,120
= 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7

Donnie Palmer advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7 on September 6, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Donnie Palmer	97.6	4,657
		Other/Write-in votes	2.4	114

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,771
= 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' 7th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ayanna Pressley (D)	86.6	267,362
		Roy Owens (Independent)	12.5	38,675
		Rayla Campbell (R) (Write-in)	0.2	695
	Submit photo	Rachel Miselman (R) (Write-in)	0.0	11
	Submit photo	Claudette Joseph (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	1
		Janine Balistreri (Unenrolled) (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	1,906

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 308,650
= 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 7

Incumbent Ayanna Pressley advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ayanna Pressley	98.6	142,108
		Other/Write-in votes	1.4	1,979

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 144,087
= 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7

No candidate advanced from the primary.

		Candidate	%	Votes
		Rayla Campbell (Write-in)	39.6	1,202
	Submit photo	Rachel Miselman (Write-in)	1.8	55
		Other/Write-in votes	58.6	1,779

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Vote totals may be incomplete for this race.
	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,036
= 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

See also: Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7

Ayanna Pressley won election in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ayanna Pressley (D)	98.3	216,559
		Other/Write-in votes	1.7	3,852

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 220,411
= 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 7

Ayanna Pressley defeated incumbent Michael Capuano in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 7 on September 4, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ayanna Pressley	58.6	60,046
		Michael Capuano	41.4	42,430

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 102,476
= 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.

2016

See also: Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Michael Capuano (D) was the only candidate to file in the district. Because of this, Capuano won re-election by default in the November 8, 2016 general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 7 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Michael Capuano Incumbent	98.6%	253,354
	N/A	Write-in	1.4%	3,557
Total Votes				256,911
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

2014

See also: Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 7th Congressional District of Massachusetts held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Michael Capuano (D) won an uncontested general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 7 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Mike Capuano Incumbent	80.7%	142,133
	Write-in	Other	1.4%	2,413
	Blank	None	17.9%	31,531
Total Votes				176,077
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of State Official Results

General election candidates

• Michael Capuano - Incumbenta

September 9, 2014, primary results
Democratic Primary

• Michael Capuano - Incumbent a

Disqualified

• Jason Lowenthal

2012

See also: Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 7th District of Massachusetts held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Ed Markey (D) ran for 5th District seat due to redistricting in 2012. The 8th District incumbent Michael Capuano won election to the 7th District seat. He defeated Karla Romero (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 7 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Michael Capuano Incumbent	73.9%	210,794
	Independent	Karla Romero	14.4%	41,199
	N/A	All Others	0.3%	843
	N/A	Blank Votes	11.3%	32,298
Total Votes				285,134
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of State "Return of Votes"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Ed Markey won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Gerry Dembrowski (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 7 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Edward J. Markey incumbent	66.4%	145,696
	Republican	Gerry Dembrowski	33.5%	73,467
	Various	All Others	0.1%	194
Total Votes				219,357

2008
On November 4, 2008, Ed Markey won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Cunningham (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 7 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Ed Markey incumbent	70.5%	212,304
	Republican	John Cunningham	22.6%	67,978
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	6.8%	20,528
	N/A	Others	0.1%	400
Total Votes				301,210

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

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 7 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Ed Markey incumbent	75%	171,902
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	23.8%	54,560
	N/A	Others	1.3%	2,889
Total Votes				229,351

2004
On November 2, 2004, Ed Markey won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Kenneth Chase (R) and James Hall (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 7 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Ed Markey incumbent	69.3%	202,399
	Republican	Kenneth Chase	20.6%	60,334
	Independent	James Hall	4.2%	12,139
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	5.8%	17,088
	N/A	Others	0.1%	227
Total Votes				292,187

2002
On November 5, 2002, Ed Markey won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Daniel Melnechuk (Write-in) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 7 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Ed Markey incumbent	72.4%	170,968
	Write-in	Daniel Melnechuk	0.4%	863
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	26.3%	61,976
	N/A	Others	0.9%	2,206
Total Votes				236,013

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

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 7 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Ed Markey incumbent	75.1%	211,543
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	23.5%	66,154
	N/A	Others	1.4%	4,040
Total Votes				281,737

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 7
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Massachusetts District 7
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 7th 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+34. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 34 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 7th the 8th 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+35. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 35 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 7th the 9th 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) 85.5%-13.1%.

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+35. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 35 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 7th the 9th 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 85.5% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 13.1%.

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+34. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 34 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District the 15th 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 1.01. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.01 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Massachusetts
• Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District election, 2024
• Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District election, 2022
• Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District election, 2020
• Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 7

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)