Two Andover residents are among the top contenders in a six-way Democratic primary for the 6th Congressional District seat that Rep. Seth Moulton is vacating to run for U.S. Senate. Early voting begins Saturday, Aug. 22.
Dan Koh, a former Boston mayoral chief of staff and White House deputy cabinet secretary, and state Rep. Tram Nguyen have emerged as leading fundraisers and poll performers in the race to replace Moulton, who has held the seat since 2015. Four other Democrats and one Republican are also on the Tuesday, Sept. 1, ballot.
A comprehensive voter's guide co-produced by Andover News and four other local outlets profiles all seven candidates' backgrounds, policy positions and fundraising.
The money race
Koh has raised more than $4.5 million since launching his campaign, reporting over $1 million in the second quarter alone with more than 12,000 contributions and a median donation of $15, according to Andover News. He reported roughly $3 million cash on hand through June 30.
John Beccia of Lynnfield reported about $2.3 million available, much of it from personal loans to his campaign.
Nguyen raised $266,000 in the second quarter, her largest quarter, bringing her total past $690,000 from 2,827 donors. More than 80% came from in-state supporters, with a median contribution under $25.
Jamie Zahlaway Belsito of Topsfield, Dr. Mariah Lancaster of Salem and Bethany Andres-Beck of Middleton each reported substantially smaller treasuries.
Where they stand
At the Aug. 8 Lynn forum, candidates split on how to tackle the housing crisis. Nguyen, who grew up in public housing, called for more federal funding to help states build homes. "We have to make investments that are needed to lower the cost of housing," Nguyen said at the Lynn forum. "But we can't do that alone."
Koh has built his campaign around a "No More" affordability agenda: childcare capped at $10 a day, utility bills at 6% of household income, $25,000-plus in down-payment assistance and rent capped at 30% of income.
Lancaster, who uses they/them pronouns, described themselves as "the only renter in a race against landlords" and pledged to push rent stabilization programs. Beccia called for tax incentives and zoning reform to spur construction.
At the June 18 Salem State University forum, all six Democrats said they support abolishing ICE and universal health care, and none support raising the minimum retirement age for Social Security.
Endorsements and polls
Former President Biden and the Massachusetts AFL-CIO have endorsed Koh. Progressive Massachusetts, the SEIU State Council and the United Auto Workers International back Nguyen. The Massachusetts Teachers Association has endorsed Lancaster and Nguyen.
A Nguyen-commissioned poll of about 400 likely Democratic voters, released in June, showed her at 28% and Koh at 18%, with at least 24% undecided. A Beccia-commissioned poll from May showed Beccia and Koh neck-and-neck, with Nguyen slightly ahead at 14%. No independent polling has been conducted.
Micah Q. Jones of Essex, an Army veteran and securities attorney, is running unopposed in the GOP primary. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
How to vote
Andover residents have until Saturday, Aug. 22, to register or change party enrollment. Early in-person voting runs Saturday, Aug. 22, through Friday, Aug. 28, at Town Offices, 36 Bartlet St., with extended hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 22. Mail-in ballot applications are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25. Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 1.
