# Massachusetts's 7th congressional district

Massachusetts's 7th congressional district is a congressional district located in eastern Massachusetts, including roughly three-fourths of the city of Boston and a few of its northern and southern suburbs. The seat is currently held by Democrat Ayanna Pressley.
Due to redistricting after the 2010 census, the borders of the district were changed, with most of the old 7th district redistricted to the new 5th district, and most of the old 8th district comprising the new 7th district. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+35, it is the most Democratic district in Massachusetts, a state with an all-Democratic congressional delegation.
According to The Boston Globe and the latest census data, approximately 33 percent of the population of the district were born outside of the United States, with approximately 34 percent of the population white, 26 percent African American, and 21 percent Latino.
In 2019, Ayanna Pressley became the first female and person of color to represent the district as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Congress.

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | Obama 82% - 16% |
| 2008 | Senate | Kerry 86% - 14% |
| 2010 | Senate (Spec.) | Coakley 74% - 26% |
| 2010 | Governor | Patrick 74% - 20% |
| 2012 | President | Obama 84% - 16% |
| 2012 | Senate | Warren 79% - 21% |
| 2014 | Senate | Markey 85% - 15% |
| 2014 | Governor | Coakley 72% - 25% |
| 2016 | President | Clinton 83% - 12% |
| 2018 | Senate | Warren 85% - 13% |
| 2018 | Governor | Gonzalez 57% - 43% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Healey 89% - 11% |
| 2020 | President | Biden 85% - 13% |
| 2020 | Senate | Markey 86% - 13% |
| 2022 | Governor | Healey 84% - 14% |
| 2022 | Secretary of the Commonwealth | Galvin 83% - 12% |
| 2022 | Attorney General | Campbell 85% - 15% |
| 2022 | Auditor | DiZoglio 74% - 17% |
| 2024 | President | Harris 79% - 17% |
| 2024 | Senate | Warren 82% - 18% |

## Cities and towns in the district

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of three counties and 7 municipalities:
Middlesex County (3)
    Cambridge (part; also 5th), Everett, Somerville
Norfolk County (2)
    Milton (part; also 8th), Randolph
Suffolk County (2)
    Boston (part; also 8th), Chelsea

## Cities and towns in the district prior to 2013
### 1840s

1849: "The whole of Berkshire County; Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Coleraine, Conway, Hawley, Heath, Leyden, Monroe, Rowe, and Shelburne, in Franklin County; Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Middlefield, Norwich, Plainfield, Southampton, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington, in Hampshire County; and Blandford, Chester, Granville, Montgomery, Russell, and Tolland, in the County of Hampden."

### 1850s–1880s

An act of the legislature passed April 22, 1852, divided the 7th district of Massachusetts as such: "The towns of Andover, Boxford, Bradford, Danvers, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lynnfield, Methuen, Middleton, Saugus, and Topsfield in the county of Essex; and the city of Charlestown, and the towns of Burlington, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Reading, Somerville, South Reading, Stoneham, Waltham, and Woburn, in the county of Middlesex."

### 1890s

1893: "Essex County: Towns of Lynn, Nahant, and Saugus. Middlesex County: Towns of Everett, Malden, Melrose, Stoneham, and Wakefield. Suffolk County: 4th and 5th wards of the city of Boston, and the towns of Chelsea and Revere."

### 1910s

1916: In Essex County: Boxford, Lawrence, Lynn, Lynnfield, Middleton, Nahant, North Andover, Peabody, Saugus. In Middlesex County: North Reading.

### 1940s

1941: In Essex County: Lawrence, Lynn (part), Middleton, Nahant, North Andover, Peabody. In Suffolk County: Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop.

### 2003-2013

In Middlesex County:
* Arlington
* Belmont
* Everett
* Framingham
* Lexington
* Lincoln
* Malden
* Medford
* Melrose
* Natick
* Stoneham
* Waltham
* Watertown
* Wayland: Precinct 2
* Weston
* Winchester
* Woburn
In Suffolk County:
* Revere
* Winthrop

## List of members representing the district

| Member | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history | District location |
| District created March 4, 1789 ||||||
| George Leonard (Raynham) | Pro-Administration | March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1791 | 1st | Elected in 1788. Redistricted to the 6th district. | 1789–1793 Bristol County, Dukes County, and Nantucket County |
| Artemas Ward (Shrewsbury) | Pro-Administration | March 4, 1791 – March 3, 1793 | 2nd | Elected in 1790. Redistricted to the 2nd district. | 1789–1793 Bristol County, Dukes County, and Nantucket County |
| District inactive | District inactive | March 4, 1793 – March 3, 1795 | 3rd | | |
| George Leonard (Raynham) | Federalist | March 4, 1795 – March 3, 1797 | 4th | Elected in 1795 on the fourth ballot. Retired. | 1795–1803 "3rd Southern district" |
| Stephen Bullock (Rehoboth) | Federalist | March 4, 1797 – March 3, 1799 | 5th | Elected in 1797 on the third ballot. Lost re-election. | 1795–1803 "3rd Southern district" |
| Phanuel Bishop (Rehoboth) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1799 – March 3, 1803 | 6th 7th | Elected in 1799 on the fourth ballot. Re-elected in 1800. Redistricted to the 9th district. | 1795–1803 "3rd Southern district" |
| Nahum Mitchell (East Bridgewater) | Federalist | March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1805 | 8th | Elected in 1802. Lost re-election. | 1803–1815 "Plymouth district" |
| Joseph Barker (Middleboro) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1805 – March 3, 1809 | 9th 10th | Elected in 1804. Re-elected in 1806. Retired. | 1803–1815 "Plymouth district" |
| William Baylies (Bridgewater) | Federalist | March 4, 1809 – June 28, 1809 | 11th | Elected in 1808. Lost election challenge. | 1803–1815 "Plymouth district" |
| Charles Turner Jr. (Scituate) | Democratic-Republican | June 28, 1809 – March 3, 1813 | 11th 12th | Won election challenge. Re-elected in 1810. Lost re-election. | 1803–1815 "Plymouth district" |
| William Baylies (Bridgewater) | Federalist | March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1815 | 13th | Elected in 1812. Redistricted to the 8th district. | 1803–1815 "Plymouth district" |
| John W. Hulbert (Pittsfield) | Federalist | March 4, 1815 – March 3, 1817 | 14th | Redistricted from the 12th district and re-elected in 1814. Retired. | 1815–1823 "Berkshire district" |
| Henry Shaw (Lanesboro) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1817 – March 3, 1821 | 15th 16th | Elected in 1816. Re-elected in 1819 on the second ballot. Retired. | 1815–1823 "Berkshire district" |
| Henry W. Dwight (Stockbridge) | Federalist | March 4, 1821 – March 3, 1823 | 17th | Elected in 1820. Redistricted to the 9th district. | 1815–1823 "Berkshire district" |
| Samuel C. Allen (Greenfield) | Federalist | March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1825 | 18th 19th 20th | Redistricted from the 6th district. Re-elected in 1825. Re-elected in 1826. [data missing] | 1823–1833 "Franklin district" |
| Samuel C. Allen (Greenfield) | Anti-Jacksonian | March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1829 | 18th 19th 20th | Redistricted from the 6th district. Re-elected in 1825. Re-elected in 1826. [data missing] | 1823–1833 "Franklin district" |
| George Grennell Jr. (Greenfield) | Anti-Jacksonian | March 4, 1829 – March 3, 1833 | 21st 22nd | Elected in 1828. Re-elected in 1830. Redistricted to the 6th district. | 1823–1833 "Franklin district" |
| George N. Briggs (Lanesboro) | Anti-Jacksonian | March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1837 | 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th | Redistricted from the 9th district and re-elected in 1833. Re-elected in 1834. Re-elected in 1836. Re-elected in 1838. Re-elected in 1840. Retired. | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| George N. Briggs (Lanesboro) | Whig | March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1843 | 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th | Redistricted from the 9th district and re-elected in 1833. Re-elected in 1834. Re-elected in 1836. Re-elected in 1838. Re-elected in 1840. Retired. | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| Julius Rockwell (Pittsfield) | Whig | March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1851 | 28th 29th 30th 31st | Elected late on the sixth ballot in 1844. Re-elected in 1846. Re-elected in 1848. [data missing] | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| John Z. Goodrich (Glendale) | Whig | March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 | 32nd | Elected in 1851. Redistricted to the 11th district. | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| Nathaniel P. Banks (Waltham) | Democratic | March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 | 33rd 34th 35th | Elected in 1852. Re-elected in 1854. Re-elected in 1856. Resigned to become Governor of Massachusetts. | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| Nathaniel P. Banks (Waltham) | Know Nothing | March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 | 33rd 34th 35th | Elected in 1852. Re-elected in 1854. Re-elected in 1856. Resigned to become Governor of Massachusetts. | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| Nathaniel P. Banks (Waltham) | Republican | March 4, 1857 – December 24, 1857 | 33rd 34th 35th | Elected in 1852. Re-elected in 1854. Re-elected in 1856. Resigned to become Governor of Massachusetts. | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| Vacant | Vacant | December 24, 1857 – January 31, 1858 | 35th | | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| Daniel W. Gooch (Melrose) | Republican | January 31, 1858 – March 3, 1863 | 35th 36th 37th | Elected to finish Banks's term. Re-elected in 1858. Re-elected in 1860. Redistricted to the 6th district. | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| George S. Boutwell (Groton) | Republican | March 4, 1863 – March 12, 1869 | 38th 39th 40th 41st | Elected in 1862. Re-elected in 1864. Re-elected in 1866. Re-elected in 1868. Resigned to become U.S. Secretary of Treasury. | 1863–1873 [data missing] |
| Vacant | Vacant | March 12, 1869 – November 2, 1869 | 41st | | 1863–1873 [data missing] |
| George M. Brooks (Concord) | Republican | November 2, 1869 – May 13, 1872 | 41st 42nd | Elected to finish Boutwell's term. Re-elected in 1870. Resigned. | 1863–1873 [data missing] |
| Vacant | Vacant | May 13, 1872 – December 2, 1872 | 42nd | | 1863–1873 [data missing] |
| Constantine C. Esty (Framingham) | Republican | December 2, 1872 – March 3, 1873 | 42nd | Elected to finish Brooks's term. [data missing] | 1863–1873 [data missing] |
| Ebenezer R. Hoar (Concord) | Republican | March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875 | 43rd | Elected in 1872. [data missing] | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| John K. Tarbox (Lawrence) | Democratic | March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877 | 44th | Elected in 1874. [data missing] | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| Benjamin F. Butler (Lowell) | Republican | March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1879 | 45th | Elected in 1876. [data missing] | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| William A. Russell (Lawrence) | Republican | March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1883 | 46th 47th | Elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Redistricted to the 8th district. | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| Eben F. Stone (Newburyport) | Republican | March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1887 | 48th 49th | Redistricted from the 6th district and re-elected in 1882. Re-elected in 1884. [data missing] | 1883–1893 [data missing] |
| William Cogswell (Salem) | Republican | March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1893 | 50th 51st 52nd | Elected in 1886. Re-elected in 1888. Re-elected in 1890. Redistricted to the 6th district. | 1883–1893 [data missing] |
| Vacant | Vacant | March 4, 1893 – April 25, 1893 | 53rd | Member Henry Cabot Lodge had been redistricted from the 6th district and re-elected in 1892, but resigned to become a U.S. senator. | 1893–1903 [data missing] |
| William Everett (Quincy) | Democratic | April 25, 1893 – March 3, 1895 | 53rd | Elected to finish Cabot Lodge's term. [data missing] | 1893–1903 [data missing] |
| William Emerson Barrett (Melrose) | Republican | March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1899 | 54th 55th | Elected in 1894. Re-elected in 1896. [data missing] | 1893–1903 [data missing] |
| Ernest W. Roberts (Chelsea) | Republican | March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1913 | 56th 57th 58th 59th 60th 61st 62nd | Elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Redistricted to the 9th district. | 1893–1903 [data missing] |
| Ernest W. Roberts (Chelsea) | Republican | March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1913 | 56th 57th 58th 59th 60th 61st 62nd | Elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Redistricted to the 9th district. | 1903–1913 [data missing] |
| Michael Francis Phelan (Lynn) | Democratic | March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1921 | 63rd 64th 65th 66th | Elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Lost re-election. | 1913–1923 [data missing] |
| Robert S. Maloney (Lawrence) | Republican | March 4, 1921 – March 3, 1923 | 67th | Elected in 1920. Lost re-election. | 1913–1923 [data missing] |
| William P. Connery Jr. (Lynn) | Democratic | March 4, 1923 – June 15, 1937 | 68th 69th 70th 71st 72nd 73rd 74th 75th | Elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Re-elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Died. | 1923–1933 [data missing] |
| 1933–1943 [data missing] | | | 68th 69th 70th 71st 72nd 73rd 74th 75th | Elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Re-elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Died. |
| 1933–1943 [data missing] | Vacant | Vacant | June 16, 1937 – September 27, 1937 | 75th | |
| 1933–1943 [data missing] | Lawrence J. Connery (Lynn) | Democratic | September 28, 1937 – October 19, 1941 | 75th 76th 77th | Elected to finish his brother's term. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Died. |
| 1933–1943 [data missing] | Vacant | Vacant | October 20, 1941 – December 29, 1941 | 77th | |
| 1933–1943 [data missing] | Thomas J. Lane (Lawrence) | Democratic | December 30, 1941 – January 3, 1963 | 77th 78th 79th 80th 81st 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th | Elected to finish Connery's term. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Redistricted to the 5th district and lost re-election. |
| 1943–1953 [data missing] | | | | 77th 78th 79th 80th 81st 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th | Elected to finish Connery's term. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Redistricted to the 5th district and lost re-election. |
| 1953–1963 [data missing] | | | | 77th 78th 79th 80th 81st 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th | Elected to finish Connery's term. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Redistricted to the 5th district and lost re-election. |
| Torbert H. Macdonald (Malden) | Democratic | January 3, 1963 – May 21, 1976 | 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th | Redistricted from the 8th district. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Died. | 1963–1973 [data missing] |
| 1973–1983 [data missing] | | | 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th | Redistricted from the 8th district. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Died. |
| 1973–1983 [data missing] | Vacant | Vacant | May 22, 1976 – November 1, 1976 | 94th | |
| 1973–1983 [data missing] | Ed Markey (Malden) | Democratic | November 2, 1976 – January 3, 2013 | 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th | Elected to finish Macdonald's term. Simultaneously elected to a full term in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Redistricted to the 5th district. |
| 1983–1993 [data missing] | | | | 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th | Elected to finish Macdonald's term. Simultaneously elected to a full term in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Redistricted to the 5th district. |
| 1993–2003 [data missing] | | | | 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th | Elected to finish Macdonald's term. Simultaneously elected to a full term in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Redistricted to the 5th district. |
| 2003–2013 [data missing] | | | | 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th | Elected to finish Macdonald's term. Simultaneously elected to a full term in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Redistricted to the 5th district. |
| Michael Capuano (Somerville) | Democratic | January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2019 | 113th 114th 115th | Redistricted from the 8th district. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Lost renomination. | 2013–2023 |
| Ayanna Pressley (Boston) | Democratic | January 3, 2019 – present | 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2013–2023 |
| Ayanna Pressley (Boston) | Democratic | January 3, 2019 – present | 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2023–present |

## Recent election results
### 2012

Massachusetts's 7th congressional district, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Capuano (incumbent) | 210,794 | 83.4 |
| | Independent | Karla Romero | 41,199 | 16.3 |
| | n/a | Write-ins | 843 | 0.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 252,836 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2014

Massachusetts's 7th congressional district, 2014 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Capuano (incumbent) | 142,133 | 98.3 |
| | n/a | Write-ins | 2,413 | 1.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 144,546 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2016

Massachusetts's 7th congressional district, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Capuano (incumbent) | 253,354 | 98.6 |
| | n/a | Write-ins | 3,557 | 1.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 256,911 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2018

Massachusetts' 7th congressional district, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ayanna Pressley | 216,557 | 98.2 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 3,852 | 1.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 220,409 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2020

Massachusetts's 7th congressional district, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ayanna Pressley (incumbent) | 267,362 | 86.6 |
| | Independent | Roy A. Owens, Sr. | 38,675 | 12.5 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 2,613 | 0.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 308,650 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2022

Massachusetts's 7th congressional district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ayanna Pressley (incumbent) | 151,825 | 84.6 |
| | Republican | Donnie Palmer | 27,129 | 15.1 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 557 | 0.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 179,511 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |