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D Democratic · Incumbent · U.S. House 2, Massachusetts · Nov 3, 2026

James
P. McGovern

Democratic U.S. Representative from Massachusetts' 2nd District, first elected in 1996, running for reelection in 2026.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
29
positions
10
endorsements
9
mcgovern.house.gov ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)

Background

James P. McGovern is a Democratic U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, born and raised in Worcester's Burncoat neighborhood. He attended Worcester Academy (1977), earned a bachelor's degree from American University in 1981, and a master's degree in public administration from American University in 1984. 4521

Before entering Congress, McGovern worked on the staff of Representative Joseph Moakley from 1982 to 1996 in legislative roles, and in 1984 also worked on Senator George McGovern's presidential campaign. 43

McGovern was first elected to Congress in 1996, representing Massachusetts' 3rd District from 1997 to 2013, then Massachusetts' 2nd District from 2013 onward. He is listed as serving in the 119th Congress (2025–present). 47

In the 119th Congress McGovern serves as Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee. He is running for reelection in 2026 under the Re-Elect McGovern Committee. 38

At a glance

Party
Democratic · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. House · District 2, Massachusetts
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative, Massachusetts' 2nd Congressional District
Website
mcgovern.house.gov(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Voting record

How James P. McGovern voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 3, 2023 to Sep 16, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.

roll call votes
1,909
missed
1.3%
with their party’s majority
96%

Recent key votes

  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobs
    Retire through Ownership Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energy
    Water Resources Development Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energy
    Ratepayer Protection Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safety
    PROOF Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safety
    National Fraud Enforcement Division Act
    On Passage · Passed · against their party's majority
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budget
    Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes

Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,909 votes →

Timeline

  1. Oct 12
    news
    McGovern spotlighted again in Democratic Voices feature ahead of November 2026 election

    Ground News published a Democratic Voices spotlight on Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02) on October 12, 2026, ahead of the November general election.

    Democratic Voices: Spotlight on Jim McGovern MA-02 · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 8
    news
    McGovern calls for release of detained Egyptian journalists

    McGovern issued a press release calling for the release of Egyptian journalists who had been detained, according to a report published October 8.

    Press Release: Jim McGovern Calls for Release of Detained Egyptian Journalists · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 3
    news
    McGovern says Flock surveillance cameras 'are awful and I don't support them at all'

    In an emailed statement reported on October 3, McGovern expressed strong opposition to Flock license-plate reader cameras, saying they are 'awful' and that he does not support them at all.

    Rep. Jim McGovern says Flock cameras "are awful and I don't support them at all" · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 1
    news
    NEPM interview notes McGovern is running unopposed in MA-02

    An NEPM podcast interview conducted around Oct. 1-2 described McGovern as running unopposed even by Republicans in the 2026 general election for MA-02.

    Stockbridge Munsee Homelands Powwow, Rep. McGovern · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 1
    endorsement
    Center Action Fund endorses McGovern for MA-02 in 2026 general election

    The Center Action Fund's 2026 midterm general election endorsement list included James McGovern for Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district.

    2026 Midterm General Endorsements - Center Action Fund · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 26
    news
    McGovern and Casar introduce Fair Seeds for Farmers Act

    McGovern and Rep. Casar introduced the Fair Seeds for Farmers Act, as reported in a press release.

    McGovern, Casar Introduce Fair Seeds for Farmers Act · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 26
    news
    McGovern featured in Democratic Voices spotlight on Daily Kos

    Daily Kos published a Democratic Voices spotlight feature on Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts's 2nd District.

    Democratic Voices: Spotlight on Jim McGovern MA-02 · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 23
    news
    McGovern and Ramirez lead House letter calling on Secretary Rubio to support Honduras massacre investigation

    McGovern and Rep. Delia Ramirez led a letter signed by 17 House members urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to support an international investigation of a May massacre of peasant farmworkers in Honduras and help resolve related land disputes.

    Press Releases - Congressman Jim McGovern · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 21
    news
    McGovern and Malliotakis announce bipartisan Medically Tailored Meals bill passes Ways & Means Committee

    McGovern announced that the bipartisan Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program Pilot Act, co-introduced with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, passed the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill would create a six-year pilot at 40 hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries with diet-related conditions.

    McGovern & Malliotakis Applaud Passage of Bipartisan Medically Tailored Meals Bill from Ways & Means Committee · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Sep 18
    news
    McGovern joins letter urging administration not to deport detained people facing persecution in China

    McGovern joined Sens. Jeff Merkley and Tammy Duckworth and Rep. James Walkinshaw in urging the Trump administration not to deport immigration detainees who could face persecution or torture if returned to China.

    McGovern, Merkley, Duckworth, Walkinshaw Urge Trump Administration: Do Not Deport People Back to Persecution and Torture in China · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Sep 12
    poll
    Race forecast rates McGovern as heavily favored in MA-02 with predicted D+35.3 margin

    Call the Map listed McGovern as heavily favored in MA-02 with a predicted margin of D+35.3. No public poll of the general election was found; this is a race forecast, not a poll.

    MA-02: McGovern >99 in 100 — Call the Map · Sep 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Progressive Democrats of America organization
    Listed under 2026 House incumbent endorsements; no individual date stated. pdamerica.org
  • Feminist Majority PAC organization
    Listed among 2026 House endorsements; no individual endorsement date stated. feministmajoritypac.org
  • Massachusetts Peace Action organization
    Listed among 2026 endorsed candidates for MA-02; no specific date provided. masspeaceaction.org
  • National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) union
    Included in 2026 congressional endorsements for Massachusetts; no specific announcement date provided. nteu.org
  • American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union
    Endorsed McGovern and seven other Massachusetts House incumbents for reelection in July 2026. afge.org
  • Our Revolution organization
    ourrevolution.com · Aug 21, 2026
  • Sen. Ed Markey official
    joinstump.com · Jul 17, 2026
  • End Citizens United organization
    endcitizensunited.org · Jul 17, 2026
  • Humane World Action Fund organization
    humaneaction.org · Jul 15, 2026

Past elections

General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.

YearSeatResultVotesShare
2022U.S. House MA-02 · DWon180,63966.2%
2020U.S. House MA-02 · DWon249,85465.3%
2018U.S. House MA-02 · DWon191,33267.2%
2016U.S. House MA-02 · DWon275,48798.2%

Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$865K
Spent
$910K
Cash on hand
$349K

As of Aug 12, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H4MA03022(opens in a new tab)

Sources 29

  1. [1] Democratic Voices: Spotlight on Jim McGovern MA-02(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  2. [2] 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  3. [3] 2026 NTEU Congressional Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  4. [4] Endorsements - Massachusetts Peace ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  5. [5] Press Release: Jim McGovern Calls for Release of Detained Egyptian Journalists(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  6. [6] Rep. Jim McGovern says Flock cameras "are awful and I don't support them at all"(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  7. [7] Stockbridge Munsee Homelands Powwow, Rep. McGovern(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  8. [8] 2026 Midterm General Endorsements - Center Action Fund(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  9. [9] Democratic Voices: Spotlight on Jim McGovern MA-02(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  10. [10] McGovern, Casar Introduce Fair Seeds for Farmers Act(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  11. [11] Press Releases - Congressman Jim McGovern(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  12. [12] McGovern & Malliotakis Applaud Passage of Bipartisan Medically Tailored Meals Bill from Ways & Means Committee(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  13. [13] McGovern, Merkley, Duckworth, Walkinshaw Urge Trump Administration: Do Not Deport People Back to Persecution and Torture in China(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  14. [14] MA-02: McGovern >99 in 100 — Call the Map(opens in a new tab) Sep 12, 2026
  15. [15] Stump | The Endorsement Marketplace for Local Candidates(opens in a new tab) Sep 10, 2026
  16. [16] McGovern, Warren, Pressley Tout Historic New Law to Combat High ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
  17. [17] Elections(opens in a new tab) Aug 26, 2026
  18. [18] Jim McGovern for Congress in Massachusetts 2nd District(opens in a new tab) Aug 21, 2026
  19. [19] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 8 Massachusetts ... - AFGE(opens in a new tab) Jul 20, 2026
  20. [20] In the shadow of America 250(opens in a new tab) Jul 14, 2026
  21. [21] McGovern: “People Don’t Need a Two-Hour Lecture From Donald Trump. They Know His Economy Sucks Because They Live It Every Day.”(opens in a new tab) Feb 25, 2026
  22. [22] McGovern Statement on Venezuela War Powers Resolution ...(opens in a new tab) Jan 22, 2026
  23. [23] Affordable Healthcare(opens in a new tab) Jan 18, 2026
  24. [24] McGovern Reintroduces Constitutional Amendment to End Big ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 10, 2025
  25. [25] Endorsements — End Citizens United(opens in a new tab) May 30, 2025
  26. [26] ENDORSEMENTS(opens in a new tab) Feb 22, 2021
  27. [27] Energy and Environment(opens in a new tab) Nov 13, 2017
  28. [28] Immigration | U.S. House of Representatives(opens in a new tab) Nov 13, 2017
  29. [29] What more will it take for this Congress to bring common-sense gun ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 2, 2012
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