Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District

Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District

Incumbent

Katherine Clark

Assumed office: December 12, 2013

Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Katherine Clark (D).

As of the 2020 Census, Massachusetts representatives represented an average of 781,497 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 728,849 residents.

Elections

2024

See also: Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District election, 2024

Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District election, 2024 (September 3 Democratic primary)

General election

The primary will occur on September 3, 2024. The general election will occur on November 5, 2024. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5

Incumbent Katherine Clark, Raffaele Santino Depalma, and Emmett Yael are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5 on September 3, 2024.

		Candidate
		Katherine Clark
		Raffaele Santino Depalma
		Emmett Yael

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2022

See also: Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5

Incumbent Katherine Clark defeated Caroline Colarusso in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Katherine Clark (D)	74.0	203,994
		Caroline Colarusso (R)	25.9	71,491
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	186

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 275,671
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Washington Blask (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5

Incumbent Katherine Clark advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5 on September 6, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Katherine Clark	99.6	84,845
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	329

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 85,174
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5

Caroline Colarusso advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5 on September 6, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Caroline Colarusso	99.0	16,184
		Other/Write-in votes	1.0	161

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,345
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2020

See also: Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5

Incumbent Katherine Clark defeated Caroline Colarusso in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Katherine Clark (D)	74.3	294,427
		Caroline Colarusso (R)	25.6	101,351
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	405

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 396,183
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5

Incumbent Katherine Clark advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Katherine Clark	99.4	162,768
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	938

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 163,706
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Raffaele Santino Depalma (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5

Caroline Colarusso advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Caroline Colarusso	98.2	18,818
		Other/Write-in votes	1.8	336

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,154
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Steven Pinckney (R)

2018

See also: Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5

Incumbent Katherine Clark defeated John Hugo in the general election for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Katherine Clark (D)	75.9	236,243
		John Hugo (R)	24.0	74,856
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	225

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 311,324
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5

Incumbent Katherine Clark advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5 on September 4, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Katherine Clark	100.0	78,156

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 78,156
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5

John Hugo defeated Louis Kuchnir in the Republican primary for U.S. House Massachusetts District 5 on September 4, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Hugo	63.7	11,859
		Louis Kuchnir	36.3	6,763

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,622
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Katherine Clark (D) was the only candidate to file in the district. Because of this, Clark won re-election by default in the November 8, 2016 general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 5 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Katherine Clark Incumbent	98.6%	285,606
	N/A	Write-in	1.4%	4,201
Total Votes				289,807
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

2014

See also: Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 5th Congressional District of Massachusetts held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Katherine Clark (D) won an uncontested general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 5 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Katherine Clark Incumbent	71%	182,100
	Write-in	Other	1.2%	3,160
	Blank	None	27.8%	71,226
Total Votes				256,486
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of State Official Results

General election candidates

• Katherine Clark - Incumbent a

September 9, 2014, primary results
Democratic Primary

• Katherine Clark - Incumbent a
• Sheldon Schwartz

2013

See also: Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District special election, 2013

The 5th Congressional District of Massachusetts held a special election for the U.S. House in 2013. The primary election was held on October 15, 2013, and the general election was held on December 10, 2013.

The special election was held to fill the vacancy left by the special election victory by Rep. Ed Markey for the vacant Senate seat. Markey won election to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts, for the seat vacated by John Kerry, on June 25, 2013.

2012

See also: Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 5th District of Massachusetts held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Niki Tsongas (D) ran for the 3rd District seat due to redistricting in 2012. The 7th District incumbent Ed Markey won the 5th District seat. He defeated Tom Tierney (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 5 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Ed Markey Incumbent	70.7%	257,490
	Republican	Tom Tierney	22.8%	82,944
	N/A	All Others	0.2%	675
	N/A	Blank Votes	6.3%	23,092
Total Votes				364,201
Source: Massachusetts Secretary of State "Return of Votes"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Niki Tsongas won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Jon Golnik (R), Dale E. Brown (Liberty) and Robert M. Clark (Citizen Legislator) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 5 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Niki Tsongas incumbent	54.8%	122,676
	Republican	Jon Golnik	42.2%	94,501
	Liberty	Dale E. Brown	2%	4,387
	Citizen Legislator	Robert M. Clark	0.9%	1,991
	N/A	All Others	0.1%	147
Total Votes				223,702

2008
On November 4, 2008, Niki Tsongas won re-election to the United States House. She ran unopposed in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 5 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Niki Tsongas incumbent	74.7%	225,947
	N/A	All Others	1%	2,960
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	24.3%	73,490
Total Votes				302,397

2007 special
On October 16, 2007, Nicola S. Tsongas won election to the United States House. He defeated five candidates in the special general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 5 Special election, 2007
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Nicola S. Tsongas	51.3%	54,359
	Republican	Jim Ogonowski	45.1%	47,782
	No Party Affiliation	Patrick O. Murphy	2.1%	2,175
	No Party Affiliation	Kurt Hayes	1.1%	1,126
	Constitution	Kevin J. Thompson	0.4%	391
	Write-in	Eileen M. Donoghue	0%	24
	Write-ins		0.1%	103
Total Votes				105,960
Source: Results via Massachusetts State Board of Elections

2006
On November 7, 2006, Marty Meehan won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 5 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Marty Meehan incumbent	73.4%	159,120
	N/A	Other	1.5%	3,152
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	25.2%	54,560
Total Votes				216,832

2004
On November 2, 2004, Marty Meehan won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Thomas P. Tierney (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 5 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Marty Meehan incumbent	64.1%	179,652
	Republican	Thomas P. Tierney	31.5%	88,232
	N/A	All Others	0.1%	305
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	4.3%	12,121
Total Votes				280,310

2002
On November 5, 2002, Marty Meehan won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Charles McCarthy (R) and Ilana Freedman (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 5 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Marty Meehan incumbent	57.3%	122,562
	Republican	Charles McCarthy	32.4%	69,337
	Libertarian	Ilana Freedman	5.5%	11,729
	N/A	Other	0.1%	149
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	4.8%	10,245
Total Votes				214,022

2000
On November 7, 2000, Marty Meehan won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.

U.S. House, Massachusetts District 5 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Marty Meehan incumbent	74.4%	199,601
	N/A	Other	1.5%	4,040
	N/A	Blank/Scattering	24.1%	64,820
Total Votes				268,461

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in Massachusetts after the 2020 census

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed the state’s new congressional maps into law on November 22, 2021. Both chambers of the legislature approved the new maps on November 17, 2021. The state House approved the plan by a vote of 151-8 with 127 Democrats, 23 Republicans, and one independent voting in favor and six Republicans and two Democrats voting against. The state Senate approved the new congressional maps 26-13, with 24 Democrats and two Republicans voting in favor and 12 Democrats and one Republican opposed. In the previous redistricting cycle, Massachusetts adopted its congressional map almost ten years ago to the day—on Nov. 21, 2011. This map took effect for Massachusetts’ 2022 congressional elections.

As Nik DeCosta-Klipa wrote at Boston.com after the legislature approved the maps, "unlike the partisan redistricting fights happening across much of the country, the map has been an argument among Democrats in reliably-blue Massachusetts. While the proposal does not dramatically alter the general contours of the state’s nine Democrat-held House districts...some of the tweaks around the edges have elicited vocal — to some, surprising — outcry." State Sen. Will Brownsberger (D), chair of the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting, said that he was unhappy that some members objected to the new maps. He said, "It’s always my goal to assure that every single senator is satisfied with the results of the redistricting process."

How does redistricting in Massachusetts work? In Massachusetts, congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. The lines drawn by the state legislature are subject to veto by the governor.

State statutes require that state legislative district boundaries be contiguous and "reasonably preserve counties, towns, and cities intact, where otherwise possible." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.

Massachusetts District 5
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Massachusetts District 5
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 5th Congressional District of Massachusetts after the 2001 redistricting process. The current district is displayed in the infobox at the top of the page.

See also: Redistricting in Massachusetts after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Massachusetts State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+23. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 23 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 5th the 46th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 74.8% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 23.6%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+18. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 18 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District the 74th most Democratic nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.98. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.98 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Massachusetts
• Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District election, 2024
• Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District election, 2022
• Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District election, 2020
• Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 5

Footnotes

[show]

Massachusetts' current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Edward Markey (D)

Elizabeth Warren (D)

Representatives

District 1

Richard Neal (D)

District 2

Jim McGovern (D)

District 3

Lori Trahan (D)

District 4

Jake Auchincloss (D)

District 5

Katherine Clark (D)

District 6

Seth Moulton (D)

District 7

Ayanna Pressley (D)

District 8

Stephen Lynch (D)

District 9

Bill Keating (D)

Democratic Party (11)