2026 Elections · Massachusetts

Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District Candidates 2026

See every declared 2026 U.S. House candidate running in this Massachusetts congressional district, with FEC campaign finance and where they stand on the issues.

Source:FECUpdated Oct 19, 2026Report a correction

Who is running in Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District in 2026?

Stephen Lynch (Democratic) and Robert Burke (Republican).

Where they stand

Sources under every entry. Sentences are AI-written from the linked source.

Where they differ: Stephen Lynch supports policies promoting fair wages, economic security, funding for higher education, and housing assistance, and he votes yea on bills supporting technology use, small business, and financial protections but nay on capital access and privacy in purchases 12. Robert Burke supports cutting taxes, bringing manufacturing back, and killing inflation to create good paying jobs and affordability, and he advocates a complete immigration pause with a focus on border security 37.
AI-written comparison of the sourced entries below. Generated Oct 19, 2026.

Where the candidates stand, by issue
IssueStephen LynchDemocraticRobert BurkeRepublican
Economy & Jobs

Lynch supports policies that promote fair wages, economic security, funding for higher education, housing assistance, and financial security to help working families succeed.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 19, 2026AI-written

Lynch votes yea on bills supporting technology use, small business, and financial protections, but nay on capital access and privacy in purchases.

Official recordSource ↗Verified Oct 15, 2026AI-written

Burke supports cutting taxes, bringing manufacturing back, and killing inflation to create good paying jobs and affordability for American citizens.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 17, 2026AI-written

Where they differ on Economy & Jobs: Stephen Lynch supports policies promoting fair wages, economic security, funding for higher education, housing assistance, and financial security to help working families succeed 1. He votes yea on bills supporting technology use, small business, and financial protections, but nay on capital access and privacy in purchases 2. Robert Burke supports cutting taxes, bringing manufacturing back, and killing inflation to create good paying jobs and affordability for American citizens 3.
Healthcare

Lynch votes yea on rural care, early act reauthorization, and patient support bills, but nay on lowering premiums and Medicaid harm prevention.

Official recordSource ↗Verified Oct 15, 2026AI-written

Burke supports ending the old era of healthcare and promoting personal catastrophic insurance with benefits for healthy living.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 17, 2026AI-written

Where they differ on Healthcare: Stephen Lynch votes yea on rural care, early act reauthorization, and patient support bills, but nay on lowering premiums and Medicaid harm prevention 1. Robert Burke supports ending the old era of healthcare and promoting personal catastrophic insurance with benefits for healthy living 2.
Immigration

Lynch votes nay on multiple immigration enforcement and security bills, but yea on a national emergency resolution related to immigration.

Official recordSource ↗Verified Oct 15, 2026AI-written

Burke advocates a complete immigration pause and reevaluating all programs to prioritize American interests and border security.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 17, 2026AI-written

Where they differ on Immigration: Stephen Lynch votes nay on multiple immigration enforcement and security bills, but yea on a national emergency resolution related to immigration 1. Robert Burke advocates a complete immigration pause and reevaluating all programs to prioritize American interests and border security 2.
Public Safety & Crime

Lynch votes yea on the GUARD Act and cashless bail reporting, but nay on privacy, veterans 2nd amendment, violent offender laws, and law enforcement support resolution.

Official recordSource ↗Verified Oct 15, 2026AI-written

Burke supports real law and order, getting criminals off the streets, and addressing rising crime and defunding of police.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 17, 2026AI-written

Where they differ on Public Safety & Crime: Stephen Lynch votes yea on the GUARD Act and cashless bail reporting, but nay on privacy, veterans 2nd amendment, violent offender laws, and law enforcement support resolution 1. Robert Burke supports real law and order, getting criminals off the streets, and addressing rising crime and defunding of police 2.
Abortion

Lynch strongly opposes efforts to curtail reproductive rights and has fought against legislation designed to defund organizations like Planned Parenthood that provide critical family planning and women's healthcare serv…

Own words (office website)Source ↗Verified Oct 19, 2026AI-written

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Taxes & Government Spending

Lynch votes yea on tax relief for fraud victims and military construction appropriations, but nay on budget resolutions and other appropriations acts.

Official recordSource ↗Verified Oct 15, 2026AI-written

Burke prioritizes cutting taxes as part of his economic agenda to help American citizens prosper.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 17, 2026AI-written

Where they differ on Taxes & Government Spending: Stephen Lynch votes in favor of tax relief for fraud victims and military construction appropriations, but against budget resolutions and other appropriations acts 1. Robert Burke emphasizes cutting taxes as a key part of his economic agenda to support American citizens' prosperity 2.
Energy & Environment

Lynch works to protect the environment as part of his policy priorities to improve life for working families.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 19, 2026AI-written

Lynch votes yea on diesel emissions reduction and marine conservation acts, but nay on EPA rule disapproval, fuel retailer choice, and HEATS Act.

Official recordSource ↗Verified Oct 15, 2026AI-written

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Foreign Policy & Defense

Lynch questions U.S. gains in foreign conflicts and expresses concern about national security implications of arms export policies.

Candidate's own wordsSource ↗Verified Oct 19, 2026AI-written

Lynch votes yea on resolutions directing troop removal from Iran and Lebanon and veterans clinic naming, but nay on defense authorization and FISA amendments.

Official recordSource ↗Verified Oct 15, 2026AI-written

No public position found. Check their site ↗

Common questions

When is the election?

The general election is on November 3, 2026.

How do the candidates differ on Economy & Jobs?

Stephen Lynch supports policies promoting fair wages, economic security, funding for higher education, housing assistance, and financial security to help working families succeed. He votes yea on bills supporting technology use, small business, and financial protections, but nay on capital access and privacy in purchases. Robert Burke supports cutting taxes, bringing manufacturing back, and killing inflation to create good paying jobs and affordability for American citizens.

How do the candidates differ on Healthcare?

Stephen Lynch votes yea on rural care, early act reauthorization, and patient support bills, but nay on lowering premiums and Medicaid harm prevention. Robert Burke supports ending the old era of healthcare and promoting personal catastrophic insurance with benefits for healthy living.

How do the candidates differ on Immigration?

Stephen Lynch votes nay on multiple immigration enforcement and security bills, but yea on a national emergency resolution related to immigration. Robert Burke advocates a complete immigration pause and reevaluating all programs to prioritize American interests and border security.

How do the candidates differ on Public Safety & Crime?

Stephen Lynch votes yea on the GUARD Act and cashless bail reporting, but nay on privacy, veterans 2nd amendment, violent offender laws, and law enforcement support resolution. Robert Burke supports real law and order, getting criminals off the streets, and addressing rising crime and defunding of police.

How do the candidates differ on Taxes & Government Spending?

Stephen Lynch votes in favor of tax relief for fraud victims and military construction appropriations, but against budget resolutions and other appropriations acts. Robert Burke emphasizes cutting taxes as a key part of his economic agenda to support American citizens' prosperity.