Who's In the Race

Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) faces Republican Joseph Shea in the Nov. 3 general election in Massachusetts's 5th District. Clark has represented the district since 2013, having previously served in the Massachusetts House and Senate before entering Congress. A lawyer by training, she was elected House Democratic Whip in 2022. Clark won the Democratic primary on Sept. 1, taking about 74 percent of the vote over runner-up Jonathan Paz. ​

What They Stand For

Katherine Clark has proposed building "an economy that puts the needs of everyday Americans over billionaires," according to her official House website. She has also supported strengthening children's and families' economic security, including the child tax credit, paid leave, and affordable childcare, access to health care, and opposing cuts to health coverage, action on climate change, clean energy, and environmental protection; and gun-safety measures.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Clark raised about $4.5 million through Aug. 12 and had about $2 million in cash on hand. Federal Election Commission records did not include Shea's fundraising figures. Outside spending in the race totaled just $10 as of Oct. 13, all of it supporting Clark, spent by Sierra Club Independent Action.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The 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, Democrats, whose nominee is Clark, had a 96.18 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

Clark carried the district with about 72 percent of the vote in 2022 and about 76 percent in 2024. Democrats won all nine of Massachusetts's U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024. In the 2024 presidential race, Democrat Kamala Harris carried Massachusetts with about 61 percent of the vote.

Voters in Massachusetts's 5th District can register to vote through Saturday, Oct. 24, online by 11:59 p.m. or by mail with a postmark by that date. The deadline to apply for a mail or absentee ballot is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Early voting runs Saturday, Oct. 17, through Friday, Oct. 30; hours vary by municipality. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

---

AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.

---

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article