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D Democratic · Incumbent · U.S. House 1, Massachusetts · Nov 3, 2026

Richard
E. Neal

Richard E. Neal is the long-serving Democratic U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 1st Congressional District, first elected in 1988.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
17
positions
12
endorsements
5
nealforcongress.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Nadia Donya Milleron I Compare race →

Background

Richard E. Neal is the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 1st Congressional District, a seat he has held since first being elected in 1988. Born in Worcester and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, he earned a B.A. from American International College (1972) and an M.A. in public administration from the University of Hartford's Barney School of Business and Public Administration (1976). 15

Before his congressional career, Neal worked as a high school teacher and lecturer, and served as an assistant to the mayor of Springfield from 1973 to 1978. He went on to serve on the Springfield City Council (1978–1984) and as mayor of Springfield (1983–1989). 5

In Congress, Neal has served as a senior Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, and has been a prominent voice on tax, trade, and healthcare policy. He is a member of the Democratic Party. 112

Neal won the September 2026 Democratic primary, defeating challenger and political newcomer Whalen, and is the incumbent candidate in the November 2026 general election for Massachusetts's 1st Congressional District. 1412

At a glance

Party
Democratic · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. House · District 1, Massachusetts
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative, Massachusetts's 1st Congressional District
Website
nealforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

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

Voting record

How Richard E. Neal 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
4.0%
with their party’s majority
98%

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
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • 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 6
    filing
    Neal and Sen. Wyden object to Treasury's proposed private school tax-credit regulations

    The two Democratic tax-policy leaders argued that Treasury's proposed rules for a new federal tax credit would direct taxpayer money toward private and religious schools and undermine public education.

    Neal, Wyden Object to Treasury's Proposed Boost for ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 2
    news
    Neal criticizes Trump administration's economic record in response to September jobs report

    In a congressional statement, Neal cited rising prices, inflation, tariffs, and health-care cuts, saying Democrats were 'ready to answer the call to build an economy that finally delivers for you.'

    Neal Statement on September 2026 Jobs Report · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Sep 17
    endorsement
    Primary loser Whalen declines to endorse Neal, sets conditions for any endorsement

    Whalen said he would not endorse Neal unless Neal called him and committed to moving away from corporate money. Whalen also said he would not endorse Milleron.

    ‘A movement’: Jeromie Whalen recounts Mass. congressional primary bid, hopes for future · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 16
    news
    Milleron announces plan to spend at least $2 million of her own money challenging Neal

    The Boston Globe reported Milleron's planned self-funding for her general-election challenge. The same article noted Neal had approximately $3.3 million cash on hand in his latest pre-primary FEC disclosure.

    The $2 million challenge coming for Richard Neal - The Boston Globe · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 2
    news
    Neal set to face independent Nadia Milleron in November general election

    After the primary, Neal was confirmed to face Milleron in the general election, a rematch of their 2024 contest. No Republican candidate was listed in available sources for the MA-1 race.

    ‘A movement’: Jeromie Whalen recounts Mass. congressional primary bid, hopes for future · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 1
    debate
    Neal and Whalen held what was likely their only primary debate

    WAMC reported that Neal and Whalen held a debate during the primary contest, describing it as likely their only debate. No general-election debate between Neal and Milleron was reported.

    ‘A movement’: Jeromie Whalen recounts Mass. congressional primary bid, hopes for future · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 1
    news
    Neal narrowly wins Democratic primary over progressive challenger Jeromie Whalen

    Neal defeated Jeromie Whalen, a progressive challenger who campaigned on Medicare for All and limiting corporate money, by roughly 54% to 45.9% (approximately 50,000 to 42,500 votes). WAMC described it as one of Neal's narrowest primary victories in nearly four decades in Congress.

    ‘A movement’: Jeromie Whalen recounts Mass. congressional primary bid, hopes for future · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union
    Listed under 2026 endorsements on Neal's campaign website. nealforcongress.com
  • Human Rights Campaign (HRC) organization
    Listed under 2026 endorsements on Neal's campaign website. nealforcongress.com
  • Massachusetts AFL-CIO union
    Listed under 2026 endorsements on Neal's campaign website; also appears on the Massachusetts AFL-CIO political endorsements page. nealforcongress.com
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 7 union
    Listed under 2026 endorsements on Neal's campaign website. nealforcongress.com
  • American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union
    AFGE announced endorsement of Neal among eight Massachusetts House incumbents for reelection to Congress. afge.org · Jul 20, 2026

Past elections

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

YearSeatResultVotesShare
2022U.S. House MA-01 · DWon157,63561.5%
2020U.S. House MA-01 · DWon275,37696.5%
2018U.S. House MA-01 · DWon211,79097.6%
2016U.S. House MA-01 · DWon235,80373.3%

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
$2.46M
Spent
$3.07M
Cash on hand
$3.28M

As of Aug 12, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H8MA02041(opens in a new tab)

Sources 17

  1. [1] Richard Neal (D) – MA-01 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  2. [2] Neal, Wyden Object to Treasury's Proposed Boost for ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  3. [3] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  4. [4] Neal Statement on September 2026 Jobs Report(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  5. [5] Neal Statement on Trump’s Latest Health Care Sabotage(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  6. [6] ‘A movement’: Jeromie Whalen recounts Mass. congressional primary bid, hopes for future(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  7. [7] The $2 million challenge coming for Richard Neal - The Boston Globe(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
  8. [8] Voters will decide between experience, new energy in Neal, Whalen race(opens in a new tab) Aug 26, 2026
  9. [9] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 8 Massachusetts ... - AFGE(opens in a new tab) Jul 20, 2026
  10. [10] Neal: Housing Act Offers Opportunities for Homebuyers(opens in a new tab) Jul 8, 2026
  11. [11] Neal Statement on the March 2026 Jobs Report(opens in a new tab) Apr 3, 2026
  12. [12] Neal Statement on War Powers Resolution Vote(opens in a new tab) Mar 5, 2026
  13. [13] Richard Neal speaks out on recent assaults against Congress ...(opens in a new tab) Jan 28, 2026
  14. [14] Neal Leads Floor Debate Against the GOP Tax Scam(opens in a new tab) May 22, 2025
  15. [15] Neal Blasts Supreme Court's Disastrous Decision in Alexander v ...(opens in a new tab) May 23, 2024
  16. [16] Neal Receives Environmental League of Massachusetts' 2024 ...(opens in a new tab) May 10, 2024
  17. [17] Neal Statement on Shooting in Colorado(opens in a new tab) Mar 23, 2021
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