Who's In the Race

Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA) faces Republican Jim Gettens in the November 3 general election in Massachusetts's 2nd District, a standard plurality contest. ​

McGovern has represented the district since 1997 and serves as the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee. He won the Sept. 1 Democratic primary with about 100 percent of the vote; a write-in candidate received the remaining fraction.

What They Stand For

McGovern has supported expanding access to healthy school meals and protecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), arguing that food is a fundamental human right, according to his official House website. He's also supported Medicare for All and affordable, accessible health care regardless of income, including protecting reproductive care, overturning Citizens United and advancing the Democracy for All Amendment to reduce the role of big money in politics, treating climate change as an "existential threat" and transitioning to clean energy as a way to create jobs while protecting the environment.

The Money Behind the Race

As of Aug. 12, McGovern had raised about $865,000 and held about $349,000 in cash on hand, with no debt. Gettens reported no FEC receipts, so no financial comparison is possible. Outside spending in the race totals $10 in support of McGovern, all from Sierra Club Independent Action, as of Oct. 15.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Democratic as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Democratic as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Democratic as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats a 97.8% chance of winning as of Oct. 15.

McGovern won the district with about 64% of the vote in both 2022 and 2024, with his share edging up by less than a tenth of a percentage point over that span. Democrats won all nine of Massachusetts's U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024. In the 2024 presidential election, Democrat Kamala Harris carried Massachusetts with about 61% of the vote.

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