2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts

Overview

District 1

Democrat Richard Neal, who has represented the 2nd district since 1989, was redistricted into the 1st district. He ran for re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Richard Neal, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr., Middle Berkshire Register of Deeds and former state senator
• Bill Shein, writer

Primary results

General election

Predictions

Results

District 2

Since 1991, Democrat John Olver, has represented the 1st district, most of which remains in the proposed new 1st district. He was to have been redistricted to the 2nd district, except that he announced his retirement two weeks before the new districts were proposed.

Democrat Jim McGovern, who was redistricted from the 3rd district, ran for re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim McGovern, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• William Feegbeh

Declined

• John Olver, incumbent U.S. Representative
• Dennis Rosa, state representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Declined

• Gregg Lisciotti, real estate developer
• Dean Mazzarella, Mayor of Leominster

General election

Predictions

Results

District 3

Democrat Niki Tsongas, who was redistricted from the 5th district, ran for re-election. She was unopposed in the primary.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Niki Tsongas, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jon Golnik, business consultant and nominee for the 5th district in 2010

Eliminated in primary

• Tom Weaver, businessman and candidate for the 5th district in 2010

Primary results

General election

Polling

Predictions

Results

District 4

Democrat Barney Frank, who has represented the 4th district since 1981, retired rather than run for re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Joseph Kennedy III, Middlesex County assistant district attorney

Eliminated in primary

• Rachel Brown, LaRouche activist and candidate for this seat in 2010
• Herb Robinson, software engineer

Withdrawn

• Paul Heroux, businessman

Declined

• Ruth Balser, state representative
• Michael Burstein, author and member of the Brookline Town Meeting
• Cynthia Creem, state senator
• William A. Flanagan, Mayor of Fall River
• Barney Frank, incumbent U.S. Representative
• Deborah Goldberg, former chair of the Brookline Board of Selectmen
• Alan Khazei, co-founder of the City Year non-profit
• Jesse Mermell, Brookline Selectwoman
• Marc Pacheco, state senator
• Michael P. Ross, Boston City Councilor
• James Segel, former state representative
• David Simas, former policy adviser to Governor Deval Patrick
• Sam Sutter, Bristol County district attorney
• James E. Timilty, state senator
• Setti Warren, mayor of Newton
• Mike Rodrigues, state senator
• James Vallee, state representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Sean Bielat, technology executive and nominee for this seat in 2010

Eliminated in primary

• Elizabeth Childs, psychiatrist and member of the Brookline School Committee
• David Steinhof, dentist

Declined

• Jay Barrows, state representative
• Brian Herr, former Hopkinton Selectman
• Richard J. Ross, state senator
• Tom Wesley, businessman and nominee for the 2nd district in 2010

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Republican Congressional Committee "On the Radar" Program

Polling

Predictions

Results

District 5

Democrat Ed Markey was redistricted from the 7th district, having represented it since 1976.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ed Markey, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tom Tierney, consulting actuary

Eliminated in primary

• Frank John Addivinola Jr., attorney
• Jeff Semon, financial consultant

Withdrawn

• Gerry Dembrowski, physician and nominee for the 7th district in 2010

Primary results

General election

Predictions

Results

District 6

Tierney:
Tisei:
Democrat John F. Tierney has represented the 6th district since 1997. Daniel Fishman, a Libertarian candidate, who has never run for office before also ran. Veteran and military commentator Seth Moulton considered running in the general election as an independent, but decided against it in July 2012, citing the short time frame left for him to mount a serious campaign.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John F. Tierney, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Richard R. Tisei, former Minority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2010

Withdrawn

• Bill Hudak, Tea Party-endorsed lawyer and candidate for this seat in 2010 but withdrew on January 23, 2012, to pursue "a business opportunity".

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Republican Congressional Committee "Young Guns" Program

Debates

• Complete video of debate, October 10, 2012

Polling

Predictions

Results

District 7

In the redistricting Act, this district became a majority-minority district, increasing its reach over several minority precincts near Boston. Democrat Mike Capuano, who was redistricted from the 8th district, having represented it since 1999, ran for re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Mike Capuano, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Independents

• Karla Romero, founding President and CEO of the non-profit Mass Appeal International and a former Miss USA contestant

General election

Predictions

Results

District 8

Democrat Stephen Lynch, who was redistricted from the old 9th district, will run in the 8th district.

Democrat William R. Keating, who was redistricted from the old , announced that he would move to Cape Cod (where he already has a summer home), and run there, putting him in the new 9th district (most of which includes his incumbent district) instead of competing against Lynch.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Stephen Lynch, incumbent U.S. Representative

Declined

• William R. Keating, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Joe Selvaggi, US Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and small business owner

Eliminated in primary

• Matias Temperley, Iraq War veteran and student

Primary results

General election

Predictions

Results

District 9

There was no incumbent currently residing in this district, but incumbent Democrat William R. Keating, who has represented most of the district for the last two years when it was the , has a summer home there. As discussed above, he moved to the 9th District. Bristol County

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• William R. Keating, incumbent

Eliminated in primary

• Sam Sutter, Bristol County District Attorney

Declined

• Mark Montigny, state senator
• William A. Flanagan, Mayor of Fall River
• Scott W. Lang, former mayor of New Bedford
• Therese Murray, President of the Massachusetts Senate
• Robert O'Leary, former state senator

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Christopher Sheldon, businessman

Eliminated in primary

• Adam Chaprales, former Sandwich Selectman

Declined

• Timothy Cruz, Plymouth County District Attorney
• Vinny deMacedo, state representative
• Thomas Hodgson, Bristol County Sheriff
• Jeff Perry, former state representative 2010 Republican nominee for Massachusetts' 10th congressional district will not run.

General election

Predictions

Results

References

References

1. "Acts of 2011: Chapter 177: An Act Establishing Congressional Districts, Approved November 21, 2011". [[General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts]]}}, to be codified at {{MassGenLaws.
2. "In the States". The New York Times.
3. Galvin, William Francis. "2012 Massachusetts State Primary and State Election Schedule".
4. Johnson, Glen. (November 11, 2011). "Massachusetts to hold rare Thursday primary election next year". The Boston Globe.
5. [https://www.politico.com/2012-election/results/house/massachusetts/ Massachusetts House Election Results 2012 - Map, District Results, Live Updates - POLITICO.com]
6. Cassidy, Chris. (November 7, 2011). "Redistricting throws U.S. Reps. Keating, Lynch into faceoff". [[Boston Herald]].
7. Appleton, John. (December 1, 2010). "Neal and Olver will seek re-election to Congress in 2012". [[The Republican (Springfield).
8. (October 27, 2011). "Nuciforo renews plans for Congress". [[The Berkshire Eagle]].
9. (January 17, 2012). "2 Mass. men announce plans for congressional runs". [[Boston Herald]].
10. (November 5, 2012). "The Cook Political Report — Charts – 2012 House Competitive Races". Cookpolitical.com.
11. (November 2, 2012). "House Ratings". Rothenbergpoliticalreport.com.
12. [http://www.rollcall.com/politics/race-ratings-chart-2012-house-elections.html], {{As of. 2012. 11. 04
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18. The totals do not include Blank/Scatterings Ballots although they were reported.
19. (October 26, 2011). "Massachusetts congressman John Olver says he will retire at end of term". The Washington Post}}{{dead link.
20. Storrow, Ben. (December 2, 2011). "U.S. Rep. James McGovern begins wooing his potential constituents". [[Daily Hampshire Gazette]].
21. (September 7, 2012). "A list of winners in Massachusetts primary races". Boston.com.
22. Messenger, Brian. (April 22, 2012). "Tsongas enjoys early fundraising lead over Golnik". [[The Eagle-Tribune]].
23. Messenger, Brian. (December 24, 2011). "Golnik looks for 2012 rematch with Tsongas". [[The Eagle-Tribune]].
24. Sylvia, Andrew. (February 23, 2012). "Westford Man Seeks Seat in Congress". [[Patch Media.
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26. Taylor, Jessica. (November 28, 2011). "Barney Frank Announces Retirement From Congress". [[National Journal]].
27. (February 16, 2012). "Joseph Kennedy III announces congressional campaign". The Boston Globe.
28. Graham, Melanie. (February 14, 2012). "Former Frank Challenger Joins 2012 Race". [[Patch Media.
29. "Democrat Robinson out of US Senate race".
30. "Attleboro Man Quits Congressional Race".
31. (November 29, 2011). "Frank's exit puts long-held seat up for grabs". Billerica Minuteman.
32. Turner, Grahame. (May 2, 2012). "Michael Burstein No Longer Exploring Fourth District Race". [[Patch Media.
33. Gotsis, Chloe. (January 9, 2012). "Newton's Cindy Creem: I'm not running for Congress". [[The Patriot Ledger]].
34. Richmond, Will. (January 9, 2012). "Mayor Will Flanagan says he won't run for Congress". [[The Herald News]].
35. Applebaum, Teddy. (January 9, 2012). "Several Democrats deciding not to run for Frank's seat". [[Taunton Daily Gazette]].
36. (January 9, 2012). "Brookline selectwoman Mermell: I will not run for Barney Frank's seat". [[The Herald News]].
37. Tuoti, Gerry. (January 8, 2012). "PARTY LINES: Kennedy may run for Congress". [[Taunton Daily Gazette]].
38. Wedge, Dave. (January 23, 2012). "Mike Ross quits race for 4th seat". [[Boston Herald]].
39. Leblanc, Steve. (November 28, 2011). "Scramble on to fill retiring US Rep. Frank's seat". The Boston Globe.
40. Catanese, David. (November 28, 2011). "The field to replace Frank". [[Politico (newspaper).
41. Richmond, Will. (January 12, 2012). "Bristol County DA intends to seek 9th District seat in Congress". [[The Herald News]].
42. McLean, Derek. (November 29, 2011). "Newton Mayor Setti Warren won't throw hat into Congressional ring". The Boston Globe.
43. "Rodrigues to kick off re-election bid".
44. "Once a high-ranking Democrat, Vallee opts against 11th term in House".
45. (January 17, 2012). "GOP's Sean Bielat making 2nd bid for 4th congressional district seat". [[The Patriot Ledger]].
46. Downs, Andreae. (September 9, 2011). "Brookline School Committee member readies run against Barney Frank". The Boston Globe.
47. Richmod, Will. (May 2, 2012). "Fall River dentist, Durfee grad David Steinhof to run for Congress". [[The Herald News]].
48. (November 28, 2011). "GOP jockeying for Frank's seat begins". [[Boston Herald]].
49. Black, Lester. (November 29, 2011). "Local towns brace for freshman rep after Frank says he won't run". [[The Milford Daily News]].
50. "CANDIDATES".
51. [http://www.uml.edu/docs/UML-MA-CD4-RV-Feb-2012-Topline-FINAL-v1.0_tcm18-42488.pdf UMass Lowell/Boston Herald]
52. "Tom Tierney wins 5th District GOP primary".
53. Miller, Joshua. (June 21, 2011). "Republican Announces Longshot Bid in Massachusetts". [[Roll Call]].
54. (August 10, 2011). "Letter to the Editor: Dembrowski Vying for 2012 7th Congressional District Post". [[Patch Media.
55. (November 8, 2011). "Map changes incumbents' terrain". Boston.com.
56. (July 23, 2012). "Massachusetts: Independent Seth Moulton Will Not Run". Roll Call.
57. Levenson, Michael. (March 2, 2011). "Tea Party candidate says he'll try to unseat US Rep. Tierney again". The Boston Globe.
58. (January 23, 2012). "Hudak withdraws from Sixth District race". The Daily Item.
59. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121115225423/http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/09/30/tisei-leads-tierney-globe-poll/wYWKkqXd1KaIpIW5lF8AVN/story.html Boston Globe/UNH]
60. [https://images.politico.com/global/2012/09/ma_06_brushfire_toplines2.html North Star Opinion Research (R-YG Action)]
61. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120912205102/http://atr.rollcall.com/massachusetts-john-tierney-ahead-by-12-points-in-independent-poll/ MassINC/WBUR]
62. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120531235621/http://atr.rollcall.com/massachusetts-richard-tisei-leads-john-tierney-in-republican-poll/ McLaughlin (R-Tisei)]
63. (November 5, 2012). "The Cook Political Report — Charts – 2012 House Competitive Races". Cookpolitical.com.
64. Miller, Joshua. (September 2, 2011). "Mike Capuano Won't Challenge Scott Brown, Seeking Re-election". [[Roll Call]].
65. "Karla Romero for Congress".
66. (January 22, 2012). "Lynch out for meet-and-greet". [[Boston Globe]].
67. Encarnacao, Jack. (February 4, 2012). "Iraq War vet from Quincy hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch". [[The Patriot Ledger]].
68. Cassidy, Chris. (November 13, 2011). "Battle lines drawn". Boston Herald.
69. Preer, Robert. (January 29, 2012). "Redrawn district complicates Keating's bid for reelection". The Boston Globe.
70. Brennan, George. (February 15, 2012). "O'Leary not running for Congressional seat". [[Cape Cod Times]].
71. Richmond, Will. (January 20, 2012). "A Plymouth Republican to join 9th Congressional district race". [[The Herald News]].
72. Brennan, George. (April 21, 2012). "Chaprales eyes congressional seat". [[Cape Cod Times]].
73. Brennan, George. (November 9, 2011). "New Cape district fires up field, Republicans". [[Cape Cod Times]].