2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts

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]

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts
November 6, 2012
All 9 Massachusetts seats in the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election 10 0
Seats won 9 0
Seat change Decrease 1 Steady
Popular vote 1,544,103 693,624
Percentage 66.04% 29.67%
Swing Increase 8.56% Decrease 9.18%
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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
See also: Massachusetts's 1st congressional district and Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district

Democrat Richard Neal, who has represented the 2nd district since 1989, was redistricted into the 1st district.[6] He ran for re-election.[7]

Nominee
Eliminated in primary

Primary results
Democratic primary results[10]
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

Results
Massachusetts's 1st congressional district, 2012[11][12]
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
See also: Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district and Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district

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]

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
  • William Feegbeh
Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results[10]
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

Declined

Results
Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district, 2012 [11][12]
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
See also: Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district and Massachusetts's 5th congressional district

Democrat Niki Tsongas, who was redistricted from the 5th district,[6] ran for re-election.[15] She was unopposed in the primary.

Nominee

Primary results
Democratic primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nicola Tsongas (incumbent) 24,105 99.2
Democratic Write-ins 196 0.8
Total votes 24,301 100.0
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]

Primary results
Republican primary results[10]
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

Polling
Poll
source		 Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Niki
Tsongas (D)		 Jon
Golnik (R)		 Undecided
Stinson (R-Golnik) September 16, 2012 549 ± 4.0% 52% 45% 3%

Results
Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district, 2012[11][12]
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
See also: Massachusetts's 4th congressional district

Democrat Barney Frank, who has represented the 4th district since 1981, retired rather than run for re-election.[18]

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Withdrawn
Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results[10]
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
Nominee
  • Sean Bielat, technology executive and nominee for this seat in 2010[37]
Eliminated in primary
Declined

Primary results
Republican primary results[10]
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

Endorsements
Sean Bielat (R)
Organizations

Polling
Poll
source		 Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Joseph
Kennedy III (D)		 Sean
Bielat (R)		 Other Undecided
UMass Lowell/Boston Herald February 2–8, 2012 408 ± 6.4% 60% 28% 4% 7%

Results
Massachusetts's 4th congressional district, 2012[11][12]
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
See also: Massachusetts's 5th congressional district and Massachusetts's 7th congressional district

Democrat Ed Markey was redistricted from the 7th district,[6] having represented it since 1976.

Nominee

Primary results
Democratic primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ed Markey (incumbent) 38,196 99.2
Democratic Write-ins 316 0.8
Total votes 38,512 100.0
Nominee
  • Tom Tierney, consulting actuary[43]
Eliminated in primary
  • Frank John Addivinola, Jr., attorney
  • Jeff Semon, financial consultant[44]
Withdrawn
  • Gerry Dembrowski, physician and nominee for the 7th district in 2010[45]

Primary results
Democratic primary results[10]
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

Results
Massachusetts's 5th congressional district, 2012[11][12]
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
See also: Massachusetts's 6th congressional district

Democrat John Tierney has represented the 6th district since 1997. Daniel Fishman, a Libertarian candidate, who has never run for office before also ran.[46] 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.[47]

Nominee

Primary results
Democratic primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Tierney (incumbent) 28,395 98.2
Democratic Write-ins 517 1.8
Total votes 28,912 100.0
Nominee
Withdrawn

Primary results
Republican primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard R. Tisei 18,331 99.0
Republican Write-ins 186 1.0
Total votes 19,493 100.0

Endorsements
Richard Tisei (R)
Organizations

Debates

Polling
Poll
source		 Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 John
Tierney (D)		 Richard
Tisei (R)		 Daniel
Fishman (L)		 Undecided
Boston Globe/UNH September 21–27, 2012 371 ± 5.1% 31% 37% 2% 30%
North Star Opinion Research (R-YG Action) September 25–26, 2012 400 ± 4.9% 37% 45% — 18%
MassINC/WBUR September 8–10, 2012 401 ± 4.9% 46% 34% 7% 11%
McLaughlin (R-Tisei) May 2–3, 2012 400 ± 4.9% 33% 40% — 27%

Predictions
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[50] Lean R (flip) November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[51] Lean R (flip) November 2, 2012
Roll Call[52] Lean R (flip) November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[53] Lean R (flip) November 5, 2012
NY Times[54] Tossup November 4, 2012
RCP[55] Lean R (flip) November 4, 2012
The Hill[56] Lean R (flip) November 4, 2012

Results
Massachusetts's 6th congressional district, 2012[11][12]
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
See also: Massachusetts's 7th congressional district and Massachusetts's 8th congressional district

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.[57]

Nominee

Primary results
Democratic primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Capuano (incumbent) 32,445 98.6
Democratic Write-ins 446 1.4
Total votes 32,891 100.0

Independents
  • Karla Romero, founding President and CEO of the non-profit Mass Appeal International and a former Miss USA contestant[58]

Results
Massachusetts's 7th congressional district, 2012[11][12]
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
See also: Massachusetts's 8th congressional district and Massachusetts's 9th congressional district

Democrat Stephen Lynch, who was redistricted from the old 9th district,[6] will run in the 8th district.[59]

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.[46]

Nominee
Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stephen Lynch (incumbent) 29,352 98.8
Democratic Write-ins 369 1.2
Total votes 29,721 100.0
Nominee
  • Joe Selvaggi, US Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and small business owner
Eliminated in primary

Primary results
Democratic primary results[10]
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

Results
Massachusetts's 8th congressional district, 2012[11][12]
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
See also: Massachusetts's 9th congressional district and Massachusetts's 10th congressional district

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.[46] Bristol County

Nominee
  • William R. Keating, incumbent
Eliminated in primary
Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results[10]
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
Nominee
  • Christopher Sheldon, businessman[64]
Eliminated in primary
Declined

Results
Massachusetts's 9th congressional district, 2012[11][12]
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

See also

References
  1. "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., to be codified at Mass. Gen. L. c. 57, § 1
  2. "In the States". The New York Times. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  3. Galvin, William Francis. "2012 Massachusetts State Primary and State Election Schedule" (PDF). Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  4. Johnson, Glen (November 11, 2011). "Massachusetts to hold rare Thursday primary election next year". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  5. 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. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  7. Appleton, John (December 1, 2010). "Neal and Olver will seek re-election to Congress in 2012". The Republican. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  8. "Nuciforo renews plans for Congress". The Berkshire Eagle. October 27, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  9. "2 Mass. men announce plans for congressional runs". Boston Herald. Associated Press. January 17, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
  10. "A list of winners in Massachusetts primary races". AP. Boston.com. September 7, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  11. "PD43+ » Search Elections".
  12. The totals do not include Blank/Scatterings Ballots although they were reported.
  13. "Massachusetts congressman John Olver says he will retire at end of term". The Washington Post. October 26, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
  14. Storrow, Ben (December 2, 2011). "U.S. Rep. James McGovern begins wooing his potential constituents". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  15. Messenger, Brian (April 22, 2012). "Tsongas enjoys early fundraising lead over Golnik". The Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  16. Messenger, Brian (December 24, 2011). "Golnik looks for 2012 rematch with Tsongas". The Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  17. Sylvia, Andrew (February 23, 2012). "Westford Man Seeks Seat in Congress". Westford, MA Patch. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  18. 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.
  19. Johnson, Glen; Andersen, Travis; Powers, Martine (February 16, 2012). "Joseph Kennedy III announces congressional campaign". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  20. Graham, Melanie (February 14, 2012). "Former Frank Challenger Joins 2012 Race". Needham, MA Patch. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  21. "Democrat Robinson out of US Senate race". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  22. "Attleboro Man Quits Congressional Race".
  23. Cheney, Kyle; Quinn, Colleen (November 29, 2011). "Frank's exit puts long-held seat up for grabs". Billerica Minuteman. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  24. Turner, Grahame (May 2, 2012). "Michael Burstein No Longer Exploring Fourth District Race". Brookline, MA Patch. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  25. Gotsis, Chloe (January 9, 2012). "Newton's Cindy Creem: I'm not running for Congress". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  26. Richmond, Will (January 9, 2012). "Mayor Will Flanagan says he won't run for Congress". The Herald News. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  27. Applebaum, Teddy (January 9, 2012). "Several Democrats deciding not to run for Frank's seat". Taunton Daily Gazette. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  28. "Brookline selectwoman Mermell: I will not run for Barney Frank's seat". The Herald News. January 9, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  29. Tuoti, Gerry (January 8, 2012). "PARTY LINES: Kennedy may run for Congress". Taunton Daily Gazette. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  30. Wedge, Dave (January 23, 2012). "Mike Ross quits race for 4th seat". Boston Herald. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  31. Leblanc, Steve (November 28, 2011). "Scramble on to fill retiring US Rep. Frank's seat". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  32. Catanese, David (November 28, 2011). "The field to replace Frank". Politico. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  33. Richmond, Will (January 12, 2012). "Bristol County DA intends to seek 9th District seat in Congress". The Herald News. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  34. McLean, Derek (November 29, 2011). "Newton Mayor Setti Warren won't throw hat into Congressional ring". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  35. "Rodrigues to kick off re-election bid".
  36. "Once a high-ranking Democrat, Vallee opts against 11th term in House".
  37. "GOP's Sean Bielat making 2nd bid for 4th congressional district seat". The Patriot Ledger. Associated Press. January 17, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
  38. Downs, Andreae (September 9, 2011). "Brookline School Committee member readies run against Barney Frank". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  39. Richmod, Will (May 2, 2012). "Fall River dentist, Durfee grad David Steinhof to run for Congress". The Herald News. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  40. Wedge, Dave; Cassidy, Chris (November 28, 2011). "GOP jockeying for Frank's seat begins". Boston Herald. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  41. 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.
  42. "CANDIDATES". gopyoungguns.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  43. "Tom Tierney wins 5th District GOP primary". Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  44. Miller, Joshua (June 21, 2011). "Republican Announces Longshot Bid in Massachusetts". Roll Call. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  45. "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.
  46. Phillips, Frank; Bierman, Noah (November 8, 2011). "Map changes incumbents' terrain". Boston.com. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  47. "Massachusetts: Independent Seth Moulton Will Not Run". Roll Call. July 23, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  48. 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.
  49. "Hudak withdraws from Sixth District race". The Daily Item. January 23, 2012. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  50. "The Cook Political Report — Charts – 2012 House Competitive Races". Cookpolitical.com. November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  51. "House Ratings". Rothenbergpoliticalreport.com. November 2, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  52. , as of November 4, 2012
  53. Crystal Ball, as of November 5, 2012
  54. House Race Ratings, The New York Times, as of November 4, 2012
  55. , as of November 4, 2012
  56. "House Ratings". The Hill. November 3, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  57. Miller, Joshua (September 2, 2011). "Mike Capuano Won't Challenge Scott Brown, Seeking Re-election". Roll Call. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  58. "Karla Romero for Congress". Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  59. "Lynch out for meet-and-greet". Boston Globe. January 22, 2012.
  60. 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.
  61. Cassidy, Chris (November 13, 2011). "Battle lines drawn". Boston Herald. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  62. 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.
  63. 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.
  64. Richmond, Will (January 20, 2012). "A Plymouth Republican to join 9th Congressional district race". The Herald News. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  65. Brennan, George (April 21, 2012). "Chaprales eyes congressional seat". Cape Cod Times. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  66. 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.
Preceded by
2010 elections		 United States House elections in Massachusetts
2012		 Succeeded by
2014 elections
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