
James P. McGovern
Incumbent Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Massachusetts
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds — MA-02 House winner?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
97.5%chance to win
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age66 years old (Nov 20, 1959)
GenderMale
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LocationMassachusetts
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationWorcester Academy (graduated 1977)
Notable personal detailsJames Patrick McGovern is a U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district, serving in the House since 1997. He previously worked as a congressional staffer and was involved in human-rights investigations related to El Salvador. McGovern earned a B.A. and an M.P.A. from American University and has focused much of his public work on hunger and nutrition policy.
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Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports higher taxes on ultra-wealthy individuals and large corporations, including closing tax loopholes and backing a billionaire minimum income tax. Also opposes tax increases on families making less than $400,000 a year and favors policies that raise wages and invest in workers.
Healthcare
McGovern supports healthcare as a right and says it should be affordable and accessible for all. He backed the Affordable Care Act, opposed efforts to repeal it, and called for strengthening and protecting its coverage and consumer protections.
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Immigration & Border
Supports immigration reform that combines tougher border security with a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already in the country. Also backs cracking down on employers who exploit illegal labor and creating an efficient legal immigration processing system.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports restoring Roe v. Wade and protecting abortion access as a federal right. Opposes criminalizing abortion and supports federal legislation to protect reproductive freedom and contraception access.
Climate & Energy
James P. McGovern supports aggressive action on climate change, including bold investment in clean and renewable energy. He backs the Paris Climate Agreement, supports the Green New Deal, and has opposed fossil-fuel pipeline projects in favor of solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded background checks, assault weapons bans, extreme risk protection orders, and stronger federal gun-trafficking and gun-dealer oversight. Also backs policies to keep guns away from people considered a safety risk and has urged action on multiple gun-violence prevention bills.
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
2022
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2026
LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
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