Massachusetts — 8th District

D Democratic Stephen Lynch

Supports middle-class growth and fair wages

Lynch leverages his 18-year background as a structural ironworker and labor leader to champion policies that strengthen the middle class and secure fair wages. He supports pay-as-you-go fiscal discipline to balance federal spending while protecting social safety net programs for working families.

• Highlights 18 years of experience as a structural ironworker and union president
• Advocates for fair wages, minimum wage increases, and equal pay legislation
• Supports pay-as-you-go budget rules to manage federal spending while protecting middle-class investments

“I've spent my entire life fighting for working families, eighteen of those years spent in a pair of work boots as an Ironworker. And I'm proud to say that when I was elected to Congress, I never left my working class values behind.”

R Republican Robert Burke

Supports tax cuts and manufacturing growth

Burke campaigns on a populist economic platform centered on cutting taxes, bringing back manufacturing jobs, and curbing inflation. He proposes initiatives like Boxer Works to help American citizens buy homes and raise families comfortably.

• Prioritizes cutting taxes, reviving domestic manufacturing, and stopping inflation
• Promotes the Boxer Works initiative to create good-paying jobs for citizens
• Focuses on restoring housing affordability and economic security for families

“As Congressman of the 6th district, I'd make it a TOP priority to cut taxes, bring manufacturing back, and kill inflation.”

D Democratic Stephen Lynch

Supports targeted enforcement and event protections

Lynch has voted for federal legislation requiring the detention and deportation of noncitizens who commit crimes such as burglary, theft, or driving under the influence. However, he opposes deploying federal immigration enforcement agents like ICE to major public events in Massachusetts.

• Voted for the Laken Riley Act requiring DHS detention of noncitizens arrested for burglary or theft
• Voted for legislation making driving while impaired or intoxicated grounds for noncitizen deportation
• Opposed federal ICE law enforcement presence at the World Cup in Massachusetts

“Massachusetts Democrat Stephen Lynch wants no part of ICE at the World Cup, saying local and state law...”

R Republican Robert Burke

Advocates complete immigration pause and enforcement

Burke advocates for a complete pause on immigration and a full reevaluation of existing visa and relief programs, including H1B and TPS. He prioritizes strict border security to stop illegal entry and fentanyl smuggling while putting American citizens first.

• Calls for a total immigration pause to reevaluate programs like H1B and TPS
• Emphasizes border security to halt illegal immigration and drug trafficking
• Demands prioritizing American citizens over noncitizens in federal policy

“Burke 4 Congress advocates a complete immigration pause. It's time to reevaluate every program, from H1B to TPS, prioritizing American interests, border security, and a balanced system that truly serves our nation's needs.”

D Democratic Stephen Lynch

Opposes Medicaid cuts and hospital closures

Lynch focuses on defending Medicaid against federal funding cuts and protecting community hospitals from financial strain. He has supported state intervention and eminent domain options to preserve bankrupt medical facilities as non-profit community hospitals.

• Opposes proposed federal Medicaid cuts that threaten hospital solvency
• Advocates for preserving community healthcare infrastructure, including non-profit hospital conversions
• Supports accessible and affordable quality healthcare for all families

“Congressman Steve Lynch told members of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association on Monday this week that proposed federal Medicaid cuts and the...”

R Republican Robert Burke

Proposes personal catastrophic insurance model

Burke advocates replacing existing healthcare frameworks with individually purchased catastrophic health insurance plans. His Boxer Works initiative proposes financial incentives and benefits for individuals who maintain personal fitness and healthy eating habits.

• Promotes personal catastrophic health insurance purchased directly by individuals
• Incentivizes personal fitness and healthy nutrition habits
• Seeks to replace traditional federal and employer healthcare structures

“Boxer Works pushes personal catastrophic insurance you buy yourself, with benefits for staying fit and eating right.”

D Democratic Stephen Lynch

Supports mail-in voting and opposes restrictions

Lynch introduced the Vote by Mail Protection Act to invalidate executive restrictions on mail-in ballots and block federal funds from limiting ballot access. He also voted against the SAVE Act's documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration.

• Introduced the Vote by Mail Protection Act to protect mail-in voting
• Prohibits Postal Service and federal funds from enforcing restrictions on mail ballots
• Voted against the SAVE Act mandating documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote

“introduced the Vote by Mail Protection Act to invalidate the executive order and prohibit the Postal Service and other federal agencies from using any taxpayer funds to enforce it.”

R Republican Robert Burke

Supports strict voter ID and SAVE Act

Burke advocates for strict voting integrity rules, requiring all voters to prove U.S. citizenship, present mandatory photo ID, and pass the SAVE America Act. He also demands aggressive maintenance of voter rolls to prevent fraudulent voting.

• Requires proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote
• Mandates photo voter ID at polling stations
• Supports passage of the SAVE America Act and aggressive voter roll maintenance

“Voting laws should be simple: MUST be a US Citizen. Voter ID Required. Pass the SAVE America Act. Proof + Clean Rolls = No Fakes”

D Democratic Stephen Lynch

Supports transparency and congressional oversight

As a member of the House Oversight Committee, Lynch supports federal transparency and oversight accountability. He voted to hold former President Bill Clinton in contempt over Jeffrey Epstein testimony compliance and voted for the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

• Voted for the Epstein Files Transparency Act requiring public release of DOJ investigation materials
• Voted to hold Bill Clinton in contempt over House Oversight subpoena compliance regarding Jeffrey Epstein
• Maintains endorsements from law enforcement and first responder labor organizations

“Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts, one of nine members of his party who voted to hold the former...”

R Republican Robert Burke

Opposes lawfare and backs police enforcement

Burke campaigns on supporting law enforcement, ending police defunding, and reforming the justice system to stop politicized prosecutions. He criticizes 'lawfare' and highlights the January 6 cases, Trump legal prosecutions, Kyle Rittenhouse, and local corruption as system abuses.

• Pledges to back law enforcement and clear violent offenders off the streets
• Demands accountability for elected officials and ending endless legal process delays
• Opposes politicized legal prosecutions, citing January 6, Donald Trump, Kyle Rittenhouse, and Karen Read

“Burke 4 Congress fights lawfare abusing the system. From January 6 nonsense and Trump’s fake prosecutors to Rittenhouse’s lying DA and Karen Read’s corruption, we need urgent fixes to end delays and politicized punishment.”

D Democratic Stephen Lynch

Supports public education and equality

Lynch views education as foundational to economic opportunity, supporting federal investments in Head Start, early education, and higher education affordability. He also voted against federal legislation prohibiting transgender female participation in school athletics.

• Supported the renewal of Head Start and early education program funding
• Advocates for expanding college affordability and higher education access
• Voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act

“Stephen Lynch believes that education is the foundation of opportunity in the United States.”

R Republican Robert Burke

Supports parental rights and basic curriculum

Burke advocates for strong parental rights in public education, arguing classrooms should focus strictly on fundamental academic subjects. He opposes the inclusion of Critical Race Theory, Critical Transgender Theory, or puberty blockers in schools.

• Advocates for strong parental control over public school instruction
• Restricts curricula to basic academic subjects like reading, writing, and arithmetic
• Opposes Critical Race Theory, Critical Transgender Theory, and puberty blockers for minors

“Classroom are for Reading, Writing and Arithmetic Not promoting Critical Transgender Theory and Critical Race Theory”

D Democratic Stephen Lynch

Supports common sense gun regulation

Lynch lists common-sense gun laws among his primary campaign priorities, supporting federal regulation to reduce firearm violence.

• Identifies common-sense firearm regulations as a top legislative priority
• Supports federal legislation aimed at reducing gun violence

R Republican Robert Burke

Supports gun ownership rights

Burke explicitly states his support for firearm ownership rights on his campaign platform, opposing gun control restrictions.

• Identifies as pro-gun ownership on his campaign platform

“I am Pro-Gun Ownership”

D Democratic Stephen Lynch

Supports renewable energy and climate legislation

Lynch advocates for an active federal role in reducing energy consumption, cutting foreign oil dependence, and promoting clean energy. He supported the American Clean Energy and Security Act and voted against the Lower Energy Costs Act.

• Supported the American Clean Energy and Security Act to reduce global warming pollution
• Voted against H.R. 1 (Lower Energy Costs Act)
• Lists protecting the environment among his core platform priorities

“Stephen Lynch believes that the federal government must take an active role in reducing our energy consumption and dependence on foreign oil, and create a secure and sustainable energy future.”

R Republican Robert Burke

Supports pro-life positions

Burke states a pro-life position on his campaign website platform.

• Identifies as pro-life on his campaign website

“I am Pro-Life”