Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch defeats a younger challenger in Massachusetts primary
Democratic Representative Stephen Lynch successfully defended his seat against progressive challenger Patrick Roath in the Massachusetts primary. Despite significant fundraising and progressive backing for Roath, Lynch's long-standing district relationships and experience secured his renomination.
Why it matters
The result highlights the ongoing tension within the Democratic Party between established incumbents and younger, more progressive candidates seeking generational change.
Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch has defeated a younger, more progressive primary challenger, NBC News projects, in the highest-profile test remaining for House incumbents after a turbulent primary season. Lynch, 71, won renomination over Patrick Roath, a 39-year-old former aide to former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. With his win, Lynch staved off an attempt to add him to the list of Democratic officeholders dethroned by rivals pushing for generational change. Elsewhere in the state, fellow veteran Democratic Rep. Richard Neal also secured renomination, defeating teacher Jeromie Whalen in another Democratic primary. On the other side of Massachusetts, Roath outraised Lynch, outspent him significantly on the airwaves and scored The Boston Globe editorial board’s endorsement to go with backing from Patrick, progressive activist David Hogg’s group, Leaders We Deserve, and key teachers unions. That support helped Roath press Lynch for months in one of the toughest fights of his political career.
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