Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District

Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District is represented by Stephen Lynch (Democrat), who has served in the House since 2001 and has represented this district since redistricting in 2013. Lynch has an overall VoteSee report card grade of C, voted in 95% of roll-call votes on bills this Congress, and votes with the Democratic majority 95% of the time. The district includes Boston, Brockton, and Quincy. It takes in all or part of 4 counties; the most populous parts are in Norfolk County and Plymouth County. About 781,000 people live in the district, and the median household income is $118,565.

Current Representative

Stephen Lynch (Democrat) has served in the House since 2001 and has represented Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District since redistricting in 2013.

VoteSee report card grade: C
Attendance in the 119th Congress: 95% of roll-call votes on bills
Votes with the Democrat majority: 95%

See Stephen Lynch's full voting record and issue positions →

2026 Election

U.S. House: Massachusetts 8th District

Winner: Stephen Lynch.

Incumbent Stephen Lynch is running for re-election. 3 candidates were on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot.

Stephen Lynch (Democratic), incumbent: raised $1.1M, $494K cash on hand; VoteSee report card C; 95% attendance; votes with the Democratic majority 95% of the time
Robert Burke (Republican): raised $2K, $-17K cash on hand
Rasheed Walters (Independent)

Polls: No public polls

See the full 2026 race →

District Demographics

Population: 781,306
Median household income: $118,565
Median age: 39
Median home value: $638,900
Bachelor's degree or higher: 53%

Source: American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, 119th Congress boundaries.

How Lynch Voted Recently

Yea on American Enrichment Deployment Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Retire through Ownership Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Ratepayer Protection Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed

Breaks with the Democrat majority

Yea on Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from Lebanon. (Jun 4, 2026) — Failed
Yea on Cashless Bail Reporting Act (May 14, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026 (Mar 27, 2026) — Passed

Who Held This Seat Before

Members of Congress who previously represented Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District. District lines are redrawn after each census, so earlier members may have represented a different area under this number.

Michael Capuano — Democrat (1999–2013)
Joseph Kennedy — Democrat (1987–1999)
Tip O’Neill — Democrat (1963–1987)
Torbert Macdonald — Democrat (1955–1963)
Angier Goodwin — Republican (1943–1955)
Arthur Healey — Democrat (1933–1943)
Frederick Dallinger — Republican (1915–1933)
Harry Thayer — Republican (1925–1927)
Frederick Deitrick — Democrat (1913–1915)
Samuel McCall — Republican (1893–1913)
Moses Stevens — Democrat (1891–1893)
Frederic Greenhalge — Republican (1889–1891)

Where the District Is

Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District covers 293 square miles of land. Boundaries are for the current (119th) Congress.

Counties

Norfolk County (part): 49% of residents
Plymouth County (part): 25% of residents
Suffolk County (part): 23% of residents
Bristol County (part): 3% of residents

Largest communities

Boston (part)
Brockton
Quincy
Weymouth Town
Braintree Town
Norwood
Dedham
Abington