Who Is Running in Massachusetts Congressional District 2nd in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
James Mcgovern
(Incumbent)Economy
HighJames McGovern consistently supports economic recovery and consumer protection, evidenced by his votes for $192 billion in anti-recession stimulus (2009), an $825 billion economic recovery package (2009), and a $1.9 trillion ARPA bill for COVID relief (2021). He also supported modifying bankruptcy rules to prevent mortgage foreclosures (2009) and regulating the subprime mortgage industry (2007). McGovern criticizes policies that prioritize "tax breaks for billionaires" and "corporate giveaways," aiming to foster an economy where everyone can thrive.
Immigration
HighJames McGovern supports comprehensive immigration reform, advocating for improved border security and cracking down on employers who exploit undocumented workers. He believes there should be a path to citizenship for those currently in the country illegally, requiring background checks, English learning, and a fine. McGovern also emphasizes the need for an efficient system to process legal immigration requests in a timely manner, and he opposes strict proof-of-citizenship voting requirements.
Healthcare
HighJames McGovern supported restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies, authoring a bill to expand the advance premium tax credit for 2026-2028, which passed the House. He views access to healthcare as a human right and believes the nation has the resources to ensure everyone has healthcare. Furthermore, he introduced bipartisan legislation to address the link between diet and chronic disease, emphasizing that "food is medicine" and such initiatives would improve health outcomes while saving money.
Republican Candidate
No Republican candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | James Mcgovern |
|---|---|
| Economy | James McGovern consistently supports economic recovery and consumer protection, evidenced by his votes for $192 billion in anti-recession stimulus (2009), an $825 billion economic recovery package (2009), and a $1.9 trillion ARPA bill for COVID relief (2021). He also supported modifying bankruptcy rules to prevent mortgage foreclosures (2009) and regulating the subprime mortgage industry (2007). McGovern criticizes policies that prioritize "tax breaks for billionaires" and "corporate giveaways," aiming to foster an economy where everyone can thrive. High |
| Immigration | James McGovern supports comprehensive immigration reform, advocating for improved border security and cracking down on employers who exploit undocumented workers. He believes there should be a path to citizenship for those currently in the country illegally, requiring background checks, English learning, and a fine. McGovern also emphasizes the need for an efficient system to process legal immigration requests in a timely manner, and he opposes strict proof-of-citizenship voting requirements. High |
| Healthcare | James McGovern supported restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies, authoring a bill to expand the advance premium tax credit for 2026-2028, which passed the House. He views access to healthcare as a human right and believes the nation has the resources to ensure everyone has healthcare. Furthermore, he introduced bipartisan legislation to address the link between diet and chronic disease, emphasizing that "food is medicine" and such initiatives would improve health outcomes while saving money. High |
| Climate & Energy | Congressman James McGovern criticized the Republican farm bill in 2026 for neglecting environmental concerns and supporting large agricultural operations. He advocates for policies that protect public health, emphasizing the need to eliminate harmful substances like PFAS from the environment. McGovern has also hosted discussions on climate change and renewable energy. High |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Representative Jim McGovern consistently supports abortion rights, voting against measures to ban federal health coverage including abortion and barring the transport of minors for abortions. He proposed an amendment to H. RES. 1009 to bring H.R. 12 to the House floor, protecting individuals' ability to end pregnancies and providers' ability to offer abortion services. He views funding abortion as avoiding discrimination against poor women. His record is reflected by a 100% rating from NARAL. High |
| Foreign Policy | James McGovern opposes unauthorized military actions, citing the War Powers Resolution to prevent escalating hostilities, such as in Venezuela. He voted against H. Con. Res. 68, aiming to prevent military escalation, viewing a prior strike as unauthorized and illegal. He advocates for foreign policy to reflect universal values, offering amendments to the FY2026 NDAA to enhance human rights support. McGovern supports ending the U.S. embargo against Cuba, believing it harms both nations, and backs a two-state solution for Middle East peace. High |
| Education | James McGovern supports robust funding for public schools, early childhood development services like Head Start, and school lunch programs. He has advocated for school construction, high-speed internet in classrooms, and secured grant money for district schools. He works to increase Pell Grant funding, supports Income-Based Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and opposed the Supreme Court's denial of student loan relief. McGovern also advocates for higher education institutions in his district. High |
| Gun Policy | James McGovern supports gun control measures, advocating for bipartisan reform and criticizing the gun lobby's influence. He believes action is needed to address gun violence and has supported specific legislation. He backed H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019. He also supports the Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act, which aims to keep guns from individuals who present safety risks. High |
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