Incumbents Face Challengers in Massachusetts Democratic Primary

Several sitting U.S. lawmakers from Massachusetts have members of their own party seeking their seats this fall.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 7:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Campaign season is heating up in Massachusetts as incumbent Democratic members of Congress face primary challenges from within their own party. Races include Rep. Stephen Lynch facing off against Patrick Roath, Rep. Seth Moulton against Sen. Ed Markey, and Rep. Katherine Clark against Jonathan Paz and Tarik Samman. The Massachusetts primary election is scheduled for September 1.

Why it matters

These primary battles highlight the ongoing tensions within the Democratic party, as more progressive candidates seek to unseat long-serving incumbents. The outcomes could shift the ideological balance of Massachusetts' congressional delegation and impact the party's national agenda.

The details

Patrick Roath, a lawyer who previously served as an aide to former Gov. Deval Patrick, is challenging Rep. Stephen Lynch in the Democratic primary. Roath has received endorsements from Patrick and former Democratic National Committee Co-Vice Chair David Hogg. The Lynch campaign has framed Roath as a "corporate lawyer" in contrast to Lynch's working-class background. Other incumbent Democrats facing primary challenges include Rep. Seth Moulton against Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Katherine Clark against Jonathan Paz and Tarik Samman, and Rep. Richard Neal against Jeromie Whalen.

  • The Massachusetts primary election is scheduled to take place on September 1, 2026.

The players

Patrick Roath

A lawyer who previously served as an aide to former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Roath is challenging incumbent Rep. Stephen Lynch in the Democratic primary.

Rep. Stephen Lynch

The incumbent Democratic Congressman who is being challenged by Patrick Roath in the primary. The Lynch campaign has framed Roath as a "corporate lawyer" in contrast to Lynch's working-class background.

Rep. Seth Moulton

The incumbent Democratic Congressman who is facing a primary challenge from Sen. Ed Markey.

Sen. Ed Markey

The incumbent Democratic Senator who is challenging Rep. Seth Moulton in the primary.

Rep. Katherine Clark

The incumbent Democratic Congresswoman who is facing primary challenges from Jonathan Paz and Tarik Samman.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We need to rebuild confidence in this democracy. That's how we get rid of Trump, that's how we attack MAGA extremists and show people what they need in their lives.”

— Patrick Roath (nbcboston.com)

“If you really want to change the world, you've got to play the game, and the game is 'Put your name on the ballot and give it a shot.'”

— Former Rep. Mike Capuano (nbcboston.com)

What’s next

The Massachusetts primary election is scheduled to take place on September 1, 2026, where voters will decide the Democratic nominees for these congressional seats.

The takeaway

These Democratic primary battles in Massachusetts highlight the ongoing ideological divisions within the party, as more progressive challengers seek to unseat long-serving incumbents. The outcomes could shift the balance of power in the state's congressional delegation and impact the party's national agenda.