Who Is Running in Massachusetts Congressional District 5th in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Katherine Clark
(Incumbent)Economy
HighKatherine Clark highlights the care economy as central to the Democratic agenda, noting that 40% of families face debt due to childcare costs, which disproportionately affects women. She aims to create an economy that works for working people by prioritizing affordability and accountability. Clark states that policy choices benefiting the most vulnerable, particularly women, will improve the economy for everyone.
Immigration
HighKatherine Clark advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, aiming to improve border security while honoring the humanity of those seeking to build a future in the U.S., including a pathway to citizenship. She has strongly criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), pushing for accountability measures like judicial warrant requirements and prohibitions on detaining U.S. citizens. Clark denounced the "SAVE America Act" as voter suppression due to its citizenship proof requirements.
Healthcare
HighKatherine Clark voted in favor of extending Affordable Care Act tax credits in January 2026, a move she stated was a victory in the fight to lower healthcare costs and ensure affordable marketplace plans for working people. She prioritizes ensuring access to affordable healthcare and addressing the care economy, explaining that these efforts aim to prioritize the lives of regular people.
Republican Candidate
No Republican candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | Katherine Clark |
|---|---|
| Economy | Katherine Clark highlights the care economy as central to the Democratic agenda, noting that 40% of families face debt due to childcare costs, which disproportionately affects women. She aims to create an economy that works for working people by prioritizing affordability and accountability. Clark states that policy choices benefiting the most vulnerable, particularly women, will improve the economy for everyone. High |
| Immigration | Katherine Clark advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, aiming to improve border security while honoring the humanity of those seeking to build a future in the U.S., including a pathway to citizenship. She has strongly criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), pushing for accountability measures like judicial warrant requirements and prohibitions on detaining U.S. citizens. Clark denounced the "SAVE America Act" as voter suppression due to its citizenship proof requirements. High |
| Healthcare | Katherine Clark voted in favor of extending Affordable Care Act tax credits in January 2026, a move she stated was a victory in the fight to lower healthcare costs and ensure affordable marketplace plans for working people. She prioritizes ensuring access to affordable healthcare and addressing the care economy, explaining that these efforts aim to prioritize the lives of regular people. High |
| Climate & Energy | Katherine Clark prioritizes climate change as one of her top campaign issues for 2026, alongside child care, health care, reproductive freedom, and voting rights. Her official congressional website also lists climate change as a key issue, reflecting her focus on making change and doing good as her guiding principle. Medium |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Katherine Clark supports reproductive rights and access to abortion, emphasizing reproductive freedom and healthcare as key priorities for her 2026 campaign. She advocates for policies that benefit women, believing that doing right by women contributes to a better economy for everyone. Clark is endorsed by Reproductive Freedom for All. Medium |
| Foreign Policy | Katherine Clark voted in favor of the Made-in-America Defense Act in 2025, demonstrating support for defense initiatives. She has also demanded accountability from the Department of Homeland Security, criticizing violence by ICE and CBP agents and advocating for due process. Additionally, Clark opposed a "massive military operation against Iran" without congressional authorization or a clear rationale. High |
| Education | Katherine Clark advocates for expanding access to on-campus child care for parenting students, reintroducing legislation to reauthorize the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program. This bill seeks to raise minimum grant amounts, establish a maximum, and require quality standards for child care centers. Her goal is to enable individuals to pursue education without accumulating debt, thereby fostering a better future for their children. High |
| Gun Policy | Katherine Clark voted to reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022. She also supported the Protecting Our Kids Act, a package aiming to raise the legal age to purchase semi-automatic weapons, crack down on gun trafficking, and ban bump stocks and high-capacity magazines. Clark stated these measures are intended to increase public safety and save lives, arguing assault weapons are designed for battlefield destruction. High |
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