2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts Last updated March 27, 2025
2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts Majority party Minority party Party Democratic Republican Last election 10 0 Seats won 9 0 Seat change Popular vote 1,544,103 693,624 Percentage 66.04% 29.67% Swing
Democratic
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
90>%
The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the nine U.S. representatives from the state of Massachusetts , a loss of one seat following the 2010 census , [ 1] for service in the 113th Congress from January 3, 2013, to January 3, 2015. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election . The candidate elected in each of the state's congressional districts was a member the Democratic Party . [ 2]
Primary elections were held on September 6, 2012. [ 3] This primary was on a Thursday, which is rare in Massachusetts, and it was moved from Tuesday, September 18, 2012, because of a conflicting religious holiday . [ 4]
Overview United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2012 [ 5] Party Votes Percentage Seats +/– Democratic 1,544,103 66.04% 9 -1 Republican 693,624 29.67% 0 — Libertarian 16,668 0.71% 0 — Independents 83,580 3.57% 0 — Totals 2,337,975 100.00% 9 -1
District 1 Democrat Richard Neal , who has represented the 2nd district since 1989, was redistricted into the 1st district. [ 6] He ran for re-election. [ 7]
District 2 Since 1991, Democrat John Olver , has represented the 1st district, most of which remains in the proposed new 1st district. [ 1] He was to have been redistricted to the 2nd district, except that he announced his retirement two weeks before the new districts were proposed. [ 13]
Democrat Jim McGovern , who was redistricted from the 3rd district, [ 6] ran for re-election. [ 14]
District 3 Democrat Niki Tsongas , who was redistricted from the 5th district, [ 6] ran for re-election. [ 15] She was unopposed in the primary.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jon Golnik, business consultant and nominee for the 5th district in 2010 [ 16] Eliminated in primary Tom Weaver, businessman and candidate for the 5th district in 2010 [ 17] General election Polling Poll Date(s) Sample Margin of Niki Jon Undecided Stinson (R-Golnik) [ 18] September 16, 2012 549 ± 4.0% 52% 45% 3%
District 4 Democrat Barney Frank , who has represented the 4th district since 1981, retired rather than run for re-election. [ 19]
Democratic primary Candidates Declined Ruth Balser , state representative [ 24] Michael Burstein, author and member of the Brookline Town Meeting [ 25] Cynthia Creem , state senator [ 26] William A. Flanagan , Mayor of Fall River [ 27] Barney Frank , incumbent U.S. Representative Deborah Goldberg , former chair of the Brookline Board of Selectmen [ 28] Alan Khazei , co-founder of the City Year non-profit [ 28] Jesse Mermell , Brookline Selectwoman [ 29] Marc Pacheco , state senator [ 30] Michael P. Ross , Boston City Councilor [ 31] James Segel , former state representative [ 32] David Simas, former policy adviser to Governor Deval Patrick [ 33] Sam Sutter , Bristol County district attorney [ 34] James E. Timilty , state senator [ 19] Setti Warren , mayor of Newton [ 35] Mike Rodrigues , state senator [ 36] James Vallee , state representative [ 37] Republican primary Candidates Nominee Sean Bielat, technology executive and nominee for this seat in 2010 [ 38] General election Polling Poll Date(s) Sample Margin of Joseph Sean Other Undecided UMass Lowell /Boston Herald [ 44] February 2–8, 2012 408 ± 6.4% 60% 28% 4% 7%
District 5 Democrat Ed Markey was redistricted from the 7th district, [ 6] having represented it since 1976.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Tom Tierney, consulting actuary [ 45] Eliminated in primary Frank John Addivinola Jr., attorney Jeff Semon, financial consultant [ 46] Withdrawn Gerry Dembrowski, physician and nominee for the 7th district in 2010 [ 47] District 6 2012 Massachusetts's 6th congressional district election Municipality results Tierney: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70%Tisei: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
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. [ 48] 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. [ 49]
District 7 In the redistricting Act, [ 1] this district became a majority-minority district , increasing its reach over several minority precincts near Boston. [ 6] Democrat Mike Capuano , who was redistricted from the 8th district, [ 6] having represented it since 1999, ran for re-election. [ 63]
Independents Karla Romero, founding President and CEO of the non-profit Mass Appeal International and a former Miss USA contestant [ 64] District 8 Democrat Stephen Lynch , who was redistricted from the old 9th district, [ 6] will run in the 8th district. [ 65]
Democrat William R. Keating , who was redistricted from the old 10th district , [ 6] 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 [ 1] ) instead of competing against Lynch. [ 48]
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Joe Selvaggi, US Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and small business owner 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 10th district , has a summer home there. [ 6] As discussed above , he moved to the 9th District. [ 48] Bristol County
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee William R. Keating, incumbent Republican primary Candidates Nominee Christopher Sheldon, businessman [ 70] References 1 2 3 4 "Acts of 2011: Chapter 177: An Act Establishing Congressional Districts, Approved November 21, 2011" . General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts . Retrieved November 28, 2011 . Mass. Gen. L. c. 57, § 1 ↑ "In the States" . The New York Times . Retrieved March 2, 2018 . ↑ Galvin, William Francis . "2012 Massachusetts State Primary and State Election Schedule" (PDF) . Retrieved August 16, 2011 . ↑ Johnson, Glen (November 11, 2011). "Massachusetts to hold rare Thursday primary election next year" . The Boston Globe . Retrieved November 28, 2011 . ↑ Massachusetts House Election Results 2012 - Map, District Results, Live Updates - POLITICO.com 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Cassidy, Chris (November 7, 2011). "Redistricting throws U.S. Reps. Keating, Lynch into faceoff" . Boston Herald . Retrieved November 7, 2011 . ↑ Appleton, John (December 1, 2010). "Neal and Olver will seek re-election to Congress in 2012" . The Republican . Retrieved September 26, 2011 . 1 2 3 4 "Nuciforo renews plans for Congress" . The Berkshire Eagle . October 27, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011 . 1 2 "2 Mass. men announce plans for congressional runs" . Boston Herald . Associated Press. January 17, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2012 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "A list of winners in Massachusetts primary races" . AP . Boston.com. September 7, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2012 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "PD43+ » Search Elections" . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 The totals do not include Blank/Scatterings Ballots although they were reported. ↑ "Massachusetts congressman John Olver says he will retire at end of term" . The Washington Post . October 26, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2011 . [ dead link ] ↑ Storrow, Ben (December 2, 2011). "U.S. Rep. James McGovern begins wooing his potential constituents" . Daily Hampshire Gazette . Retrieved February 23, 2012 . ↑ Messenger, Brian (April 22, 2012). "Tsongas enjoys early fundraising lead over Golnik" . The Eagle-Tribune . Retrieved May 7, 2012 . ↑ Messenger, Brian (December 24, 2011). "Golnik looks for 2012 rematch with Tsongas" . The Eagle-Tribune . Retrieved February 13, 2012 . ↑ Sylvia, Andrew (February 23, 2012). "Westford Man Seeks Seat in Congress" . Westford, MA Patch . Retrieved May 7, 2012 . ↑ Stinson (R-Golnik) 1 2 3 4 Taylor, Jessica (November 28, 2011). "Barney Frank Announces Retirement From Congress" . National Journal . Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011 . ↑ Johnson, Glen; Andersen, Travis; Powers, Martine (February 16, 2012). "Joseph Kennedy III announces congressional campaign" . The Boston Globe . Retrieved February 17, 2012 . ↑ Graham, Melanie (February 14, 2012). "Former Frank Challenger Joins 2012 Race" . Needham, MA Patch . Retrieved May 7, 2012 . ↑ "Democrat Robinson out of US Senate race" . Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2011 . ↑ "Attleboro Man Quits Congressional Race" . ↑ Cheney, Kyle; Quinn, Colleen (November 29, 2011). "Frank's exit puts long-held seat up for grabs" . Billerica Minuteman . Retrieved December 5, 2011 . ↑ Turner, Grahame (May 2, 2012). "Michael Burstein No Longer Exploring Fourth District Race" . Brookline, MA Patch . Retrieved May 7, 2012 . ↑ Gotsis, Chloe (January 9, 2012). "Newton's Cindy Creem: I'm not running for Congress" . The Patriot Ledger . Retrieved January 9, 2012 . 1 2 Richmond, Will (January 9, 2012). "Mayor Will Flanagan says he won't run for Congress" . The Herald News . Retrieved January 11, 2012 . 1 2 Applebaum, Teddy (January 9, 2012). "Several Democrats deciding not to run for Frank's seat" . Taunton Daily Gazette . Retrieved January 10, 2012 . ↑ "Brookline selectwoman Mermell: I will not run for Barney Frank's seat" . The Herald News . January 9, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2012 . 1 2 Tuoti, Gerry (January 8, 2012). "PARTY LINES: Kennedy may run for Congress" . Taunton Daily Gazette . Retrieved January 9, 2012 . ↑ Wedge, Dave (January 23, 2012). "Mike Ross quits race for 4th seat" . Boston Herald . Retrieved January 24, 2012 . ↑ Leblanc, Steve (November 28, 2011). "Scramble on to fill retiring US Rep. Frank's seat" . The Boston Globe . Retrieved December 14, 2011 . ↑ Catanese, David (November 28, 2011). "The field to replace Frank" . Politico . Retrieved December 14, 2011 . 1 2 Richmond, Will (January 12, 2012). "Bristol County DA intends to seek 9th District seat in Congress" . The Herald News . Retrieved February 7, 2012 . ↑ McLean, Derek (November 29, 2011). "Newton Mayor Setti Warren won't throw hat into Congressional ring" . The Boston Globe . Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2011 . ↑ "Rodrigues to kick off re-election bid" . ↑ "Once a high-ranking Democrat, Vallee opts against 11th term in House" . ↑ "GOP's Sean Bielat making 2nd bid for 4th congressional district seat" . The Patriot Ledger . Associated Press. January 17, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2012 . ↑ Downs, Andreae (September 9, 2011). "Brookline School Committee member readies run against Barney Frank" . The Boston Globe . Retrieved September 26, 2011 . ↑ Richmod, Will (May 2, 2012). "Fall River dentist, Durfee grad David Steinhof to run for Congress" . The Herald News . Retrieved May 7, 2012 . ↑ Wedge, Dave; Cassidy, Chris (November 28, 2011). "GOP jockeying for Frank's seat begins" . Boston Herald . Retrieved December 2, 2011 . ↑ Black, Lester (November 29, 2011). "Local towns brace for freshman rep after Frank says he won't run" . The Milford Daily News . Retrieved December 24, 2011 . 1 2 "CANDIDATES" . gopyoungguns.com . Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2023 . ↑ UMass Lowell/Boston Herald ↑ "Tom Tierney wins 5th District GOP primary" . Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012 . ↑ Miller, Joshua (June 21, 2011). "Republican Announces Longshot Bid in Massachusetts" . Roll Call . Retrieved September 26, 2011 . ↑ "Letter to the Editor: Dembrowski Vying for 2012 7th Congressional District Post" . Stoneham Patch . August 10, 2011. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2011 . 1 2 3 Phillips, Frank; Bierman, Noah (November 8, 2011). "Map changes incumbents' terrain" . Boston.com . Retrieved November 8, 2011 . ↑ "Massachusetts: Independent Seth Moulton Will Not Run" . Roll Call . July 23, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2014 . ↑ Levenson, Michael (March 2, 2011). "Tea Party candidate says he'll try to unseat US Rep. Tierney again" . The Boston Globe . Retrieved September 26, 2011 . ↑ "Hudak withdraws from Sixth District race" . The Daily Item . January 23, 2012. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2012 . ↑ Boston Globe/UNH ↑ North Star Opinion Research (R-YG Action) ↑ MassINC/WBUR ↑ McLaughlin (R-Tisei) ↑ "The Cook Political Report — Charts – 2012 House Competitive Races" . Cookpolitical.com. November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012 . ↑ "House Ratings" . Rothenbergpoliticalreport.com. November 2, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012 . ↑ as of November 4, 2012 [ update] ↑ Crystal Ball , as of November 5, 2012 [ update] ↑ House Race Ratings , The New York Times , as of November 4, 2012 [ update] ↑ as of November 4, 2012 [ update] ↑ "House Ratings" . The Hill . November 3, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012 . ↑ Miller, Joshua (September 2, 2011). "Mike Capuano Won't Challenge Scott Brown, Seeking Re-election" . Roll Call . Retrieved September 26, 2011 . ↑ "Karla Romero for Congress" . Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2011 . ↑ "Lynch out for meet-and-greet" . Boston Globe . January 22, 2012. ↑ Encarnacao, Jack (February 4, 2012). "Iraq War vet from Quincy hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch" . The Patriot Ledger . Retrieved February 7, 2012 . 1 2 Cassidy, Chris (November 13, 2011). "Battle lines drawn" . Boston Herald . Retrieved November 19, 2011 . ↑ Preer, Robert (January 29, 2012). "Redrawn district complicates Keating's bid for reelection" . The Boston Globe . Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012 . ↑ Brennan, George (February 15, 2012). "O'Leary not running for Congressional seat" . Cape Cod Times . Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012 . ↑ Richmond, Will (January 20, 2012). "A Plymouth Republican to join 9th Congressional district race" . The Herald News . Retrieved January 20, 2012 . ↑ Brennan, George (April 21, 2012). "Chaprales eyes congressional seat" . Cape Cod Times . Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012 . 1 2 3 Brennan, George (November 9, 2011). "New Cape district fires up field, Republicans" . Cape Cod Times . Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2011 . External links
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