U.S. House · Massachusetts's 8th District

South Boston, Quincy and southern suburbs of Boston, including Braintree, Weymouth and parts of Middlesex County.

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

✓ Fact-checked 2026-09-25: 22 claims re-checked against their sources

A second, independent research pass re-opened every cited source for this race and corrected or removed anything the source didn’t support.

On the ballot · 3 candidates

Where they stand — side by side

Only positions documented in a cited source are shown. Where an officeholder’s recorded votes speak to an issue, the votes set the position (marked “votes”). A dash means we found no clear public position — not that the candidate has none.

ISSUEStephen Lynch
D
Robert Burke
R
Rasheed Walters
IND
Protect legal access to abortionSupports[28][29][30]votes——
Stricter gun lawsSupports[23][24][25][26]votes——
Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsMixed[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]votes——
Raise taxes on high earners or corporationsSupports[10][11][12][21][20]votesOpposes[4]—
Expand public health coverageMixed[10][11][12][16][17][18]votes · says otherwise——
Faster transition away from fossil fuelsSupports[10][11][12][19][20]votes——
Increase police funding and staffing—Supports[4]—
Raise the minimum wageSupports[27]votes——
Broad tariffs on imported goodsOpposes[22]votes——
Universal, publicly funded child careSupports[19]votes——

The candidates, in full

Stephen Lynch

DINCUMBENTU.S. Representative (since 2001)

Won the September 1, 2026 Democratic primary, 56.9%-43.1%.

Stephen Lynch is the incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 8th District. A South Boston native and former ironworker who led his union local, he sits on the House Financial Services and Oversight and Government Reform committees.[2]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Key votes in Congress

  • YesWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · H. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · 2026-06-03 roll call ↗The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans.
  • YesResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · H.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · 2026-02-11 roll call ↗The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy.
  • NoConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government funding · H.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · 2026-02-03 roll call ↗The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
  • YesBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · H.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · 2026-01-08 roll call ↗The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans.
  • YesWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela · H. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region.
  • NoNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · 2025-12-10 roll call ↗The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year.
  • YesEpstein Files Transparency Act · H.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · 2025-11-18 roll call ↗The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support.
  • NoContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · 2025-11-12 roll call ↗The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively.
  • NoCLARITY Act — digital asset market structure · H.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries.
  • NoGENIUS Act — stablecoin regulation · S. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law.
  • NoOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · 2025-07-03 roll call ↗H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025.
  • NoRescissions Act of 2025 · H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · 2025-06-12 roll call ↗The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades.
  • NoOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · 2025-05-22 roll call ↗H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients.
  • NoSAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · H.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · 2025-04-10 roll call ↗The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls.
  • NoFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 · H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · 2025-03-11 roll call ↗The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
  • YesLaken Riley Act — final passage · S. 5 · Passed 263–156 · 2025-01-22 roll call ↗The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.
  • NoSecure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · H.R. 2 · Passed 219–213 · 2023-05-11 roll call ↗Would have resumed border-wall construction, restricted asylum eligibility, expanded detention, and mandated E-Verify for employers.
  • YesInflation Reduction Act — final House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–207 · 2022-08-12 roll call ↗Enacted clean-energy and climate tax credits, a 15% minimum tax on large corporations' book income, a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks, and Medicare drug-price negotiation.
  • YesAssault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 1808 · Passed 217–213 · 2022-07-29 roll call ↗Would have banned the sale, manufacture and import of many semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.
  • YesWomen's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 8296 · Passed 219–210 · 2022-07-15 roll call ↗Passed after Dobbs; would have created a federal statutory right to abortion services and limited state restrictions.
  • YesBipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · S. 2938 · Passed 234–193 · 2022-06-24 roll call ↗Expanded background checks for buyers under 21, funded state red-flag and crisis-intervention programs, and narrowed the "boyfriend loophole."
  • YesBuild Back Better Act — House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–213 · 2021-11-19 roll call ↗Would have funded clean-energy tax credits, universal pre-kindergarten and child-care subsidies, and extended health-coverage subsidies; it did not pass the Senate.
  • YesWomen's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 3755 · Passed 218–211 · 2021-09-24 roll call ↗Would have created a federal statutory right for providers to offer, and patients to receive, abortion services, limiting state restrictions.
  • YesAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 6 · Passed 228–197 · 2021-03-18 roll call ↗Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.
  • YesRaise the Wage Act — House passage · H.R. 582 · Passed 231–199 · 2019-07-18 roll call ↗Would have raised the federal minimum wage in steps from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2025.
  • YesAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passage · H.R. 6 · Passed 237–187 · 2019-06-04 roll call ↗Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.
  • YesBipartisan Background Checks Act — House passage · H.R. 8 · Passed 240–190 · 2019-02-27 roll call ↗Would have required background checks for most firearm transfers between private parties.
  • NoTax Cuts and Jobs Act — final House passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 224–201 · 2017-12-20 roll call ↗Cut the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and lowered individual rates, including the top rate from 39.6% to 37% (individual provisions set to expire after 2025).
  • NoConcealed Carry Reciprocity Act — House passage · H.R. 38 · Passed 231–198 · 2017-12-06 roll call ↗Would have required states to recognize concealed-carry permits issued by other states.
  • NoPain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act — House passage · H.R. 36 · Passed 237–189 · 2017-10-03 roll call ↗Would have banned most abortions after 20 weeks post-fertilization, with limited exceptions.
  • NoAmerican Health Care Act — House passage · H.R. 1628 · Passed 217–213 · 2017-05-04 roll call ↗Would have repealed the ACA individual mandate penalty, converted federal Medicaid funding to per-capita caps, and ended enhanced funding for the Medicaid expansion.
  • NoAffordable Care Act — final House passage · H.R. 3590 · Passed 219–212 · 2010-03-21 roll call ↗Established health-insurance marketplaces with premium subsidies, expanded Medicaid eligibility, and barred insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.

On the record — official actions

  • actionAssigned to the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, including the Delivering on Government Efficiency Subcommittee and the Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, in the 119th Congress (2025-2026).[2]
  • actionServed as Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion in the 118th Congress (2023-2024).[2]

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsProtect legal access to abortionFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755, 2021-09-24). Voted yes on Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 (H.R. 8296, 2022-07-15). Voted no on Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36, 2017-10-03).[28][29][30]

    What they say: States he is opposed to efforts to curtail reproductive rights and has voted against legislation to defund Planned Parenthood.[7]

    “He is also strongly opposed to misguided efforts to curtail reproductive rights and has fought on the House Floor against legislation designed to defund organizations such as Planned Parenthood that provide critical family planning and women's healthcare services.”
  • SupportsStricter gun lawsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8, 2019-02-27). Voted yes on Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808, 2022-07-29). Voted yes on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938, 2022-06-24). Voted no on Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38, 2017-12-06).[23][24][25][26]

    What they say: Describes himself as a proponent of gun-control legislation and cites House Democrats' work to require universal background checks for gun purchases.[6]

    “Democrats in the House have worked hard to address these issues: most notably passing bills to require universal background checks for gun purchases, closing a loophole for buyers at gun shows and online, and extending the initial F.B.I. background check review period from three days to ten.”
  • MixedExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted yes on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08). Voted no on Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590, 2010-03-21). Voted no on American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628, 2017-05-04), which would have capped federal Medicaid funding and ended enhanced funding for the Medicaid expansion.[10][11][12][16][17][18]

    What they say: (their stated position — supports — differs from their votes) Says he is committed to protecting the Affordable Care Act and building on it so that more Americans are covered, including expanding eligibility for federal financial assistance and Medicaid.[5]

    “The Congressman is committed to protecting the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and building upon it to reform and improve it in order to ensure that more Americans are covered.”
  • SupportsRaise the minimum wageFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582, 2019-07-18).[27]

    What they say: Says he has been a champion of America's working people, supporting strong labor unions and a higher minimum wage.[8]

    “Congressman Lynch has been a champion of America’s working people, supporting strong labor unions and a higher minimum wage and worker protections.”
  • MixedExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations. Voted no on Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11). Voted yes on American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6, 2019-06-04; 2021-03-18).[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

  • SupportsFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits. Voted yes on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19; 2022-08-12), which would have funded clean-energy tax credits.[10][11][12][19][20]

  • SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03; 2017-12-20), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent. Voted yes on Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376, 2022-08-12), which added a 15% minimum tax on large corporations and a stock-buyback excise tax.[10][11][12][21][20]

  • OpposesBroad tariffs on imported goodsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11).[22]

  • SupportsUniversal, publicly funded child careFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19), which would have funded universal pre-K and child-care subsidies.[19]

In their words — priorities

  • Increase patient access to health care, rein in premiums and drug prices, and build on the Affordable Care Act to cover more Americans.[5]
  • Support commonsense gun-violence prevention measures, including universal background checks.[6]
  • Support strong labor unions, a higher minimum wage, and worker protections.[8]

Background

  • Born and raised in South Boston; graduated South Boston High School and began his career as an ironworker, becoming his union local's youngest president at age 30.[2]
  • Later earned a B.A. from Wentworth Institute of Technology (1988), a J.D. from Boston College (1991), and a master's in public administration from Harvard's Kennedy School (1999).[2]

Campaign money

Raised $910K · spent $1.4M · $642K cash on hand (through 2026-08-12) FEC filing ↗

Robert Burke

R

Won the September 1, 2026 Republican primary unopposed (99.0% of the vote); previously the Republican nominee against Lynch in 2022 and 2024.

Robert Burke is the Republican nominee for Massachusetts's 8th District, running against incumbent Stephen Lynch for a third time. A Boston-born videographer, his campaign website lists positions on voter ID, immigration, jobs, public safety, healthcare and the criminal-justice system.[3]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsIncrease police funding and staffing

    Says he opposes cuts to police funding and calls for stronger law enforcement.[4]

    “How can anybody feel safe when crime is up, cops are being defunded, and the streets feel lawless? We need real law & order and we need to get criminals off the streets.”
  • OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporations

    Lists cutting taxes as a top priority rather than raising them.[4]

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

In their words — priorities

  • Voter integrity: supports requiring U.S. citizenship and voter ID, and says he supports the SAVE Act.[4]
  • Immigration: says he supports a complete pause on immigration programs, including H-1B visas and Temporary Protected Status, pending review.[4]
  • Jobs and affordability: says he would prioritize cutting taxes, bringing back manufacturing, and reducing inflation.[4]

Background

  • Born in Boston, Massachusetts; career experience includes starting a videography service.[3]
  • Previously the Republican nominee for this seat in 2022 and 2024, losing to Lynch both times.[3]

Rasheed Walters

IND

Rasheed Walters is running as an unenrolled (independent) candidate for Massachusetts's 8th District. He had not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey, and no campaign website or public statements were found at time of research.[1]

Little public record found for this candidate.

Research notes & limits

No campaign website or public statements were found for Rasheed Walters; his entry reflects Ballotpedia's minimal candidate page only. Burke's issue positions are quoted verbatim from his campaign website as reproduced by Ballotpedia (the site itself was not directly reachable at time of research). Federal key votes and FEC finance totals for Lynch are added separately by script.

Sources · 30

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
  2. 2.Stephen Lynch · Ballotpedia Reference
  3. 3.Robert Burke (Massachusetts) · Ballotpedia Reference
  4. 4.Robert Burke's campaign website, quoted verbatim · Ballotpedia (quoting Burke's campaign website) · 2026-08-28 Reference
  5. 5.Health Care · Office of Rep. Stephen Lynch Candidate's own words
  6. 6.Gun Control · Office of Rep. Stephen Lynch Candidate's own words
  7. 7.Civil Rights · Office of Rep. Stephen Lynch Candidate's own words
  8. 8.Labor and Working Families · Office of Rep. Stephen Lynch Candidate's own words
  9. 9.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  10. 10.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  11. 11.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
  12. 12.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  13. 13.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
  14. 14.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-06-04 Official record
  15. 15.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-03-18 Official record
  16. 16.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  17. 17.Roll call: Affordable Care Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2010-03-21 Official record
  18. 18.Roll call: American Health Care Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-05-04 Official record
  19. 19.Roll call: Build Back Better Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-11-19 Official record
  20. 20.Roll call: Inflation Reduction Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-08-12 Official record
  21. 21.Roll call: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-12-20 Official record
  22. 22.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
  23. 23.Roll call: Bipartisan Background Checks Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-02-27 Official record
  24. 24.Roll call: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-29 Official record
  25. 25.Roll call: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-06-24 Official record
  26. 26.Roll call: Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-12-06 Official record
  27. 27.Roll call: Raise the Wage Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-07-18 Official record
  28. 28.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-09-24 Official record
  29. 29.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-15 Official record
  30. 30.Roll call: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-10-03 Official record