Robert
G. Burke
Republican Robert G. Burke is challenging incumbent Rep. Stephen Lynch in Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District for the third consecutive election cycle.
- sources
- 8
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 2
Background
Robert G. Burke is a Republican candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. He is not the incumbent; Massachusetts election records and the FEC classify him as a challenger, having lost the 2022 and 2024 general elections to incumbent Representative Stephen F. Lynch after winning Republican primaries in both cycles. 11317
According to his campaign biography, Burke grew up in Milton and attended Milton High School, graduating in 1974, and later attended St. Anselm's College. He describes a career that included work in telecommunications during the Bell System breakup, a stint in Annapolis where he launched a cleaning business, and a return to the Boston area in 1985. Beginning around 2015, he took up videography and worked delivering packages in Boston. He currently lives in Dedham, Massachusetts. 14
The sources reviewed do not document any prior elected office held by Burke. His campaign focuses on the 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Boston and surrounding communities. 1213
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 8, Massachusetts
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- burke4congress.us(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Nov 3filingBurke listed as Republican candidate on MA-08 general election ballot against incumbent Stephen Lynch
Robert G. Burke is listed as the Republican candidate in the November 3, 2026 general election for Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District. He faces incumbent Democrat Stephen Lynch and independent candidate Rasheed Nicholas Walters.
MA-08 House race 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26newsBurke's campaign platform published, featuring 'American Citizens First' policy agenda including BoxerWorks
A published campaign profile described Burke's platform as 'American Citizens First,' covering tariffs, border security, health-care reform, and a manufacturing and catastrophic health insurance proposal called BoxerWorks aimed at Brockton, MA. These positions are as summarized by the profile, not independently assessed.
Robert Burke (R) – MA-08 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 13newsMultiple outlets report Epstein survivors ejected from GOP convention after questioning Burke
International Business Times UK and other outlets reported on the removal of Epstein survivors and journalist Tara Palmeri from the Republican midterm convention following the interview with Burke. Accounts noted the group had guest passes and disputed the protest characterization used to justify their removal.
Epstein Survivors Say GOP Convention Ejected Them Despite ... · Sep 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 1filingBurke wins uncontested Republican primary for MA-08
Robert G. Burke secured the Republican nomination in an uncontested primary. The Boston Globe's results page lists him as the GOP candidate with no challenger in the primary.
Massachusetts U.S. House District 8 Republican primary election results 2026 - The Boston Globe · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingBurke's campaign reported no receipts, $5,002.45 in disbursements, and negative cash on hand of -$10,940.26
FEC records cited in a Smarter.Vote profile showed no receipts for Burke's campaign in the 2026 cycle through the June 30 reporting period, with $5,002.45 in disbursements and negative cash on hand of $10,940.26. A separate source said no FEC reports were on file, so figures should be verified against underlying filings.
Robert Burke (R) – MA-08 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO unionListed on iVoterGuide profile (source 11), but could not be independently confirmed. AFA-CWA's public endorsements page (source 15) did not provide Burke-specific confirmation in the material reviewed. Treat with caution. ivoterguide.com
- Donald Trump officialListed on iVoterGuide profile (source 11), but could not be independently confirmed. A September 1, 2026 news report states Trump 'has stayed out of the Massachusetts races, not endorsing any candidates this cycle' (source 20). Treat with caution. ivoterguide.com
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $1,525
- Spent
- $13K
- Cash on hand
- $-17K
As of Sep 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H2MA08090(opens in a new tab)
Sources 8
- [1] Priorities - BURKE4CONGRESS(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] MA-08 House race 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [3] Robert Burke (R) – MA-08 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [4] BURKE4CONGRESS(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [5] Massachusetts U.S. House District 8 Republican primary election results 2026 - The Boston Globe(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [6] Epstein Survivors Say GOP Convention Ejected Them Despite ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 13, 2026
- [7] Robert G. Burke(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
- [8] Meet Robert Burke, the Republican challenging Rep. Stephen ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 18, 2024