United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2006

The Massachusetts Congressional elections of 2006 were held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. The terms of all ten Representatives to the United States House of Representatives were to expire on January 3, 2007, and therefore all were put up for contest. The winners of the elections served in the 110th Congress from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2009.

United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2006[1]
Party		Votes	Percentage	Seats	+/–
	Democratic	1,632,307	84.85%	10	—
	Republican	198,550	10.32%	0	—
	Independents	92,800	4.82%	0	—
Totals		1,923,657	100.00%	10	—

District 1

In this solidly liberal district based in western Massachusetts, incumbent Democratic Congressman John Olver ran for a ninth term in Congress. Olver faced only independent candidate William Szych in the general election, whom he handily defeated to return to Congress for another term.

Massachusetts's 1st congressional district election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Olver (inc.)	158,057	76.40
	Independent	William H. Szych	48,574	23.48
	Write-ins		253	0.12
Total votes			206,884	100.00
	Democratic hold

District 2

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Richard Neal has represented this liberal, south-central Massachusetts-based district since his initial election in 1988. Seeking a tenth term, Congressman Neal faced no opposition other than write-in candidates and easily won re-election.

Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Richard Neal (inc.)	164,939	98.65
	Write-ins		2,254	1.35
Total votes			167,193	100.00
	Democratic hold

District 3

Congressman Jim McGovern, who built a reputation as an advocate for international human rights and as one of the most liberal members of Congress, has represented this solidly Democratic district since 1997. Facing no opposition in his bid for a sixth term, McGovern easily returned to Congress.

Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jim McGovern (inc.)	166,973	98.83
	Write-ins		1,983	1.17
Total votes			168,956	100.00
	Democratic hold

District 4

Long-serving incumbent Democratic Congressman Barney Frank, first elected in 1980, was one of the first openly gay prominent politicians in American history. Congressman Frank represents a solidly liberal district that extends from the southern suburbs of Boston to the South Coast.

Massachusetts's 4th congressional district election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Barney Frank (inc.)	176,513	98.48
	Write-ins		2,730	1.52
Total votes			179,243	100.00
	Democratic hold

District 5

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Marty Meehan has represented this district that includes the northeastern suburbs of Boston since 1993, and he faced no opposition in his bid for an eighth term. Though Meehan was overwhelmingly re-elected, he did not fully serve out his term and resigned in July 2007 to become the Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Massachusetts's 5th congressional district election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Marty Meehan (inc.)	159,120	98.06
	Write-ins		3,152	1.94
Total votes			162,272	100.00
	Democratic hold

District 6

Incumbent Democratic Congressman John Tierney, who was first elected in 1996 by defeating Republican Congressman Peter Torkildsen, sought a sixth term in Congress. Congressman Tierney faced Republican candidate Rick Barton in the general election, whom he was able to easily defeat.

Massachusetts's 6th congressional district election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Tierney (inc.)	168,056	69.55
	Republican	Richard W. Barton	72,997	30.21
	Write-ins		572	0.24
Total votes			241,625	100.00
	Democratic hold

District 7

This heavily liberal district, based in the northern and eastern suburbs of Boston, has been represented by incumbent Democratic Congressman Ed Markey since he was first elected in a 1976 special election. Congressman Markey sought a seventeenth term and faced no opponent in the general election, allowing him to return to Congress with ease.

Massachusetts's 7th congressional district election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ed Markey (inc.)	171,902	98.35
	Write-ins		2,889	1.65
Total votes			174,791	100.00
	Democratic hold

District 8

This strongly liberal district based in the city of Boston and some of its suburbs, has been represented by Democratic Congressman Mike Capuano since he was first elected in 1998. Congressman Capuano faced no Republican opponent in his bid for a fifth term, but was easily re-elected over Socialist Workers Party candidate Laura Garza and garment worker.

Massachusetts's 8th congressional district election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Capuano (inc.)	125,515	90.65
	Socialist Workers	Laura Garza	12,449	8.99
	Write-ins		491	0.35
Total votes			138,455	100.00
	Democratic hold

District 9

Congressman Stephen Lynch has represented this staunchly liberal, south Boston district since a 2001 special election. Lynch has established a reputation as being a moderate-liberal in Congress, holding pro-life views that separate him from the mainstream of the Democratic Party. Congressman Lynch faced Republican candidate Jack Robinson in the general election and coasted towards a fourth term in Congress.

Massachusetts's 9th congressional district election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Stephen Lynch (inc.)	169,420	78.06
	Republican	Jack Robinson	47,114	21.71
	Write-ins		502	0.23
Total votes			217,036	100.00
	Democratic hold

District 10

This district, the most moderate in the commonwealth, but still decidedly liberal, consists of the South Shore, Cape Cod, and the Islands, along with some southern parts of Metropolitan Boston. This district has been represented by Democratic Congressman Bill Delahunt for the past ten years. Delahunt, seeking a sixth term in Congress, ran against Republican businessman Jeff Beatty and independent candidate Peter White, whom he was able to crush in the general election.

Massachusetts's 9th congressional district election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Delahunt (inc.)	171,812	64.30
	Republican	Jeff Beatty	78,439	29.36
	Independent	Peter A. White	16,808	6.29
	Write-ins		143	0.05
Total votes			267,202	100.00
	Democratic hold

See also

• United States House elections, 2006
• United States House election, 2006 complete list

References

1. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#21

External links

• 2006 Primary Election Candidates on Secretary of the Commonwealth's site
• 2006 General Election Candidates on Secretary of the Commonwealth's site