2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts

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 United States Congress from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2009.

2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts

← 2004 November 7, 2006 2008 →

All 10 Massachusetts seats in the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election 10 0
Seats won 10 0
Seat change Steady Steady
Popular vote 1,632,307 198,550
Percentage 84.85% 10.32%
Swing Increase 5.04% Decrease 6.54%

Overview

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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

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In this solidly liberal district based in western Massachusetts, incumbent Democratic Congressman John Olver ran for a ninth term in Congress. Olver faced 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 (incumbent) 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

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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 (incumbent) 164,939 98.65
Write-ins 2,254 1.35
Total votes 167,193 100.00
Democratic hold

District 3

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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 (incumbent) 166,973 98.83
Write-ins 1,983 1.17
Total votes 168,956 100.00
Democratic hold

District 4

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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 (incumbent) 176,513 98.48
Write-ins 2,730 1.52
Total votes 179,243 100.00
Democratic hold

District 5

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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 (incumbent) 159,120 98.06
Write-ins 3,152 1.94
Total votes 162,272 100.00
Democratic hold

District 6

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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 (incumbent) 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

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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 (incumbent) 171,902 98.35
Write-ins 2,889 1.65
Total votes 174,791 100.00
Democratic hold

District 8

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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 (incumbent) 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

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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 anti-abortion 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 (incumbent) 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

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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 10th congressional district election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Delahunt (incumbent) 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

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References

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  1. ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
Preceded by
2004 elections
United States House elections in Massachusetts
2006
Succeeded by
2008 elections
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