--- title: "Lynch vs. Burke: 2026 Massachusetts’ 8th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ma-08" updated: "2026-09-02" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Massachusetts’ 8th District race: Stephen Lynch (D) vs. Robert Burke (R) Rating: Safe D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: September 2, 2026 The 2026 general election for Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District features long-serving Democratic incumbent Stephen Lynch against Republican challenger Robert Burke. The race hinges on Lynch's brand of moderate labor-focused Democratic politics and extensive legislative experience versus Burke's populist 'America First' platform focused on tax cuts, strict border security, and voting law overhauls. ## Candidates - **Stephen Lynch** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://www.stephenflynch.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Stephen_Lynch) - **Robert Burke** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://burke4congress.us/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Burke_%28Massachusetts%29) ## Issues ### Economy and cost of living Salience: high Lynch emphasizes labor protections, wage growth, and fiscal discipline built on his ironworker background, while Burke proposes tax cuts, manufacturing expansion, and curbing inflation through a populist agenda. **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.” > — Stephen Lynch, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Stephen_Lynch) **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.” > — Robert Burke, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Burke_%28Massachusetts%29) ### Immigration and border security Salience: high Burke advocates a total immigration pause and complete program reevaluations, whereas Lynch supports targeted criminal enforcement laws while opposing federal ICE presence at public events. **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...” > — Stephen Lynch, via [Campaign site](https://www.stephenflynch.com) **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.” > — Robert Burke, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Burke_%28Massachusetts%29) ### Healthcare Salience: medium Lynch advocates for preserving federal healthcare funding and saving community hospitals, while Burke proposes shifting to individually purchased catastrophic insurance with fitness incentives. **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...” > — Stephen Lynch, via [Campaign site](https://www.stephenflynch.com) **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.” > — Robert Burke, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Burke_%28Massachusetts%29) ### Elections and voting rights Salience: medium Lynch works to protect mail-in voting against federal restrictions, whereas Burke demands mandatory photo voter ID, proof of citizenship, and passage of the SAVE Act. **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.” > — Stephen Lynch, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Stephen_Lynch) **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” > — Robert Burke, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Burke_%28Massachusetts%29) ### Judicial system and law enforcement Salience: medium Burke focuses on opposing police defunding and weaponized 'lawfare' against conservatives, while Lynch emphasizes government oversight transparency and public record releases. **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...” > — Stephen Lynch, via [Campaign site](https://www.stephenflynch.com) **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.” > — Robert Burke, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Burke_%28Massachusetts%29) ### Education and social issues Salience: low Burke advocates for parental rights and removing gender or race theory from school curricula, while Lynch supports federal public education investments and opposes transgender athletic restrictions. **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.” > — Stephen Lynch, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Stephen_Lynch) **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” > — Robert Burke, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Burke_%28Massachusetts%29) ### Gun policy Salience: low Burke explicitly supports individual firearm ownership rights, whereas Lynch advocates for common-sense gun control regulations. **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 **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” > — Robert Burke, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Burke_%28Massachusetts%29) ### Environment and energy Salience: low Lynch supports renewable energy investments and climate change mitigation, while Burke has no documented position in the provided sources. **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.” > — Stephen Lynch, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Stephen_Lynch) **Robert Burke:** No documented position in our sources ### Abortion Salience: low Burke identifies as pro-life, whereas Lynch has no documented stance on abortion in the provided sources. **Stephen Lynch:** No documented position in our sources **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” > — Robert Burke, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Burke_%28Massachusetts%29) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ma-08-house-election-winner) — MA-08 House Election Winner: Democrats 96.6%, Republicans 3.7% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-MA08-26) — MA-08 House winner?: Stephen Lynch 98.0%, Robert Burke 1.6% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXMAPRIMARY-08D26) — MA-08 Democratic nominee?: Stephen Lynch 99.0%, Patrick Roath 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ma-08)