2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts
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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]
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November 6, 2012
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All 9 Massachusetts seats in the United States House of Representatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Democratic
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
90>% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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]
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[8]
- Bill Shein, writer[9]
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Richard Neal (incumbent) | 40,295 | 65.5 | |
| Democratic | Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr. | 15,159 | 24.6 | |
| Democratic | Bill Shein | 6,059 | 9.8 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 33 | 0.1 | |
| Total votes | 61,546 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[11] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg[12] | Safe D | November 2, 2012 |
| Roll Call[13] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| NY Times[15] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| RCP[16] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| The Hill[17] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Richard Neal (incumbent) | 261,936 | 98.4 | |
| n/a | Write-ins | 4,197 | 1.6 | |
| Total votes | 266,133 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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.[20]
Democrat Jim McGovern, who was redistricted from the 3rd district,[6] ran for re-election.[21]
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[8]
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James McGovern (incumbent) | 24,375 | 91.3 | |
| Democratic | William Feegbeh | 2,265 | 8.5 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 44 | 0.2 | |
| Total votes | 26,684 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Declined
- Gregg Lisciotti, real estate developer[8]
- Dean Mazzarella, Mayor of Leominster[8]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[11] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg[12] | Safe D | November 2, 2012 |
| Roll Call[13] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| NY Times[15] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| RCP[16] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| The Hill[17] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim McGovern (incumbent) | 259,257 | 98.5 | |
| n/a | Write-ins | 4,078 | 1.5 | |
| Total votes | 263,335 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 3
Democrat Niki Tsongas, who was redistricted from the 5th district,[6] ran for re-election.[22] She was unopposed in the primary.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Niki Tsongas, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Nicola Tsongas (incumbent) | 24,105 | 99.2 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 196 | 0.8 | |
| Total votes | 24,301 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jonathan Golnik | 12,928 | 66.3 | |
| Republican | Thomas Weaver | 6,527 | 33.5 | |
| Republican | Write-ins | 38 | 0.2 | |
| Total votes | 19,493 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Polling
| Poll source |
Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Niki Tsongas (D) |
Jon Golnik (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stinson (R-Golnik)[25] | September 16, 2012 | 549 | ± 4.0% | 52% | 45% | 3% |
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[11] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg[12] | Safe D | November 2, 2012 |
| Roll Call[13] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| NY Times[15] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| RCP[16] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| The Hill[17] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Niki Tsongas (incumbent) | 212,119 | 65.9 | |
| Republican | Jon Golnik | 109,372 | 34.0 | |
| n/a | Write-ins | 262 | 0.1 | |
| Total votes | 321,753 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 4
Democrat Barney Frank, who has represented the 4th district since 1981, retired rather than run for re-election.[26]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Rachel Brown, LaRouche activist and candidate for this seat in 2010[28]
- Herb Robinson, software engineer[29]
Withdrawn
- Paul Heroux, businessman[9][30]
Declined
- Ruth Balser, state representative[31]
- Michael Burstein, author and member of the Brookline Town Meeting[32]
- Cynthia Creem, state senator[33]
- William A. Flanagan, Mayor of Fall River[34]
- Barney Frank, incumbent U.S. Representative
- Deborah Goldberg, former chair of the Brookline Board of Selectmen[35]
- Alan Khazei, co-founder of the City Year non-profit[35]
- Jesse Mermell, Brookline Selectwoman[36]
- Marc Pacheco, state senator[37]
- Michael P. Ross, Boston City Councilor[38]
- James Segel, former state representative[39]
- David Simas, former policy adviser to Governor Deval Patrick[40]
- Sam Sutter, Bristol County district attorney[41]
- James E. Timilty, state senator[26]
- Setti Warren, mayor of Newton[42]
- Mike Rodrigues, state senator[43]
- James Vallee, state representative[44]
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph P. Kennedy, III | 36,557 | 90.0 | |
| Democratic | Rachel Brown | 2,635 | 6.5 | |
| Democratic | Herb Robinson | 6,059 | 3.4 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 73 | 0.1 | |
| Total votes | 45,324 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Declined
- Jay Barrows, state representative [26]
- Brian Herr, former Hopkinton Selectman[26]
- Richard J. Ross, state senator[48]
- Tom Wesley, businessman and nominee for the 2nd district in 2010[49]
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sean Bielat | 14,834 | 73.2 | |
| Republican | Elizabeth Childs | 2,735 | 13.5 | |
| Republican | David L. Steinhof | 2,669 | 13.2 | |
| Republican | Write-ins | 25 | 0.1 | |
| Total votes | 20,263 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Endorsements
Sean Bielat (R)
Organizations
- National Republican Congressional Committee "On the Radar" Program[50]
Polling
| Poll source |
Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Joseph Kennedy III (D) |
Sean Bielat (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass Lowell/Boston Herald[51] | February 2–8, 2012 | 408 | ± 6.4% | 60% | 28% | 4% | 7% |
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[11] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg[12] | Safe D | November 2, 2012 |
| Roll Call[13] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| NY Times[15] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| RCP[16] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| The Hill[17] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Kennedy III | 221,303 | 61.1 | |
| Republican | Sean Bielat | 129,936 | 35.9 | |
| Independent | David Rosa | 10,741 | 3.0 | |
| n/a | Write-ins | 265 | 0.1 | |
| Total votes | 362,245 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 5
Democrat Ed Markey was redistricted from the 7th district,[6] having represented it since 1976.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Ed Markey, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ed Markey (incumbent) | 38,196 | 99.2 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 316 | 0.8 | |
| Total votes | 38,512 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Tom Tierney, consulting actuary[52]
Eliminated in primary
- Frank John Addivinola Jr., attorney
- Jeff Semon, financial consultant[53]
Withdrawn
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tom Tierney | 4,789 | 41.2 | |
| Republican | Frank John Addivinola, Jr. | 3,531 | 30.3 | |
| Republican | Jeffrey Semon | 3,250 | 27.9 | |
| Republican | Write-ins | 65 | 0.6 | |
| Total votes | 11,635 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[11] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg[12] | Safe D | November 2, 2012 |
| Roll Call[13] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| NY Times[15] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| RCP[16] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| The Hill[17] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ed Markey (incumbent) | 257,490 | 75.5 | |
| Republican | Tom Tierney | 82,944 | 24.3 | |
| n/a | Write-ins | 675 | 0.2 | |
| Total votes | 341,109 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 6
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 Municipality results Tierney: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Tisei: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.[55] 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.[56]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- John F. Tierney, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John F. Tierney (incumbent) | 28,395 | 98.2 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 517 | 1.8 | |
| Total votes | 28,912 | 100.0 | ||
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[57] but withdrew on January 23, 2012, to pursue "a business opportunity".[58]
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Richard R. Tisei | 18,331 | 99.0 | |
| Republican | Write-ins | 186 | 1.0 | |
| Total votes | 19,493 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Endorsements
Richard Tisei (R)
Organizations
- National Republican Congressional Committee "Young Guns" Program[50]
Debates
- Complete video of debate, October 10, 2012
Polling
| Poll source |
Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Tierney (D) |
Richard Tisei (R) |
Daniel Fishman (L) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Globe/UNH[59] | September 21–27, 2012 | 371 | ± 5.1% | 31% | 37% | 2% | 30% |
| North Star Opinion Research (R-YG Action)[60] | September 25–26, 2012 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 37% | 45% | — | 18% |
| MassINC/WBUR[61] | September 8–10, 2012 | 401 | ± 4.9% | 46% | 34% | 7% | 11% |
| McLaughlin (R-Tisei)[62] | May 2–3, 2012 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 33% | 40% | — | 27% |
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[63] | Lean R (flip) | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg[12] | Lean R (flip) | November 2, 2012 |
| Roll Call[13] | Lean R (flip) | November 4, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] | Lean R (flip) | November 5, 2012 |
| NY Times[15] | Tossup | November 4, 2012 |
| RCP[16] | Lean R (flip) | November 4, 2012 |
| The Hill[17] | Lean R (flip) | November 4, 2012 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John F. Tierney (incumbent) | 180,942 | 48.3 | |
| Republican | Richard Tisei | 176,612 | 47.1 | |
| Libertarian | Daniel Fishman | 16,739 | 4.5 | |
| n/a | Write-ins | 514 | 0.1 | |
| Total votes | 374,807 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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.[64]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Mike Capuano, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mike Capuano (incumbent) | 32,445 | 98.6 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 446 | 1.4 | |
| Total votes | 32,891 | 100.0 | ||
Independents
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[11] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg[12] | Safe D | November 2, 2012 |
| Roll Call[13] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| NY Times[15] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| RCP[16] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| The Hill[17] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mike Capuano (incumbent) | 210,794 | 83.4 | |
| Independent | Karla Romero | 41,199 | 16.3 | |
| n/a | Write-ins | 843 | 0.2 | |
| Total votes | 252,836 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 8
Democrat Stephen Lynch, who was redistricted from the old 9th district,[6] will run in the 8th district.[66]
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.[55]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Stephen Lynch, incumbent U.S. Representative
Declined
- William R. Keating, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Stephen Lynch (incumbent) | 29,352 | 98.8 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 369 | 1.2 | |
| Total votes | 29,721 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Joe Selvaggi, US Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and small business owner
Eliminated in primary
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joe Selvaggi | 5,968 | 59.1 | |
| Republican | Matias Temperley | 4,081 | 40.4 | |
| Republican | Write-ins | 47 | 0.5 | |
| Total votes | 10,096 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[11] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg[12] | Safe D | November 2, 2012 |
| Roll Call[13] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| NY Times[15] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| RCP[16] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| The Hill[17] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Stephen Lynch (incumbent) | 263,999 | 76.1 | |
| Republican | Joe Selvaggi | 82,242 | 23.7 | |
| n/a | Write-ins | 570 | 0.2 | |
| Total votes | 346,811 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
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.[55] Bristol County
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- William R. Keating, incumbent
Eliminated in primary
Declined
- Mark Montigny, state senator[68]
- William A. Flanagan, Mayor of Fall River[34]
- Scott W. Lang, former mayor of New Bedford[69]
- Therese Murray, President of the Massachusetts Senate[68]
- Robert O'Leary, former state senator[70]
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William Richard Keating (incumbent) | 31,366 | 59.1 | |
| Democratic | Samuel Sutter | 21,675 | 40.8 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 47 | 0.1 | |
| Total votes | 53,088 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Christopher Sheldon, businessman[71]
Eliminated in primary
Declined
- Timothy Cruz, Plymouth County District Attorney[73]
- Vinny deMacedo, state representative[73]
- Thomas Hodgson, Bristol County Sheriff[37]
- Jeff Perry, former state representative 2010 Republican nominee for Massachusetts' 10th congressional district[73] will not run.
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[11] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg[12] | Safe D | November 2, 2012 |
| Roll Call[13] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
| NY Times[15] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| RCP[16] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
| The Hill[17] | Safe D | November 4, 2012 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William R. Keating (incumbent) | 212,754 | 58.7 | |
| Republican | Christopher Sheldon | 116,531 | 32.2 | |
| Independent | Daniel Botelho | 32,655 | 9.0 | |
| n/a | Write-ins | 465 | 0.1 | |
| Total votes | 359,060 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||