Stephen Lynch

Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch is back on the campaign trail.

“I’ve been in positions of trust for a long time,” he said.

Seeking a 12th term in Congress, Lynch is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Patrick Roath, a lawyer and former aid to Gov. Deval Patrick who argues it’s time for a change.

“He grew up in Connecticut. One thing I’ll give him credit for is he chose his parents well,” quipped Lynch. “I don’t think there could be a greater contrast between two candidates than the work I do and the work that he’s done for the past 10 years, working for private equity firms.”

A senior member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and House Financial Services Committee, Lynch describes himself as a moderate Democrat and believes that brand of politics still resonates in a divided Washington.

“Yes, and I think there has to be,” Lynch said. “You’ve got extreme left and extreme right in Congress. I try to be the bridge between those two extremes.”

Democratic politics have shifted in the lead up to the 2026 midterms. Democratic socialists like New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani have found a foothold within the party, a trend Lynch said doesn’t mean voters aren’t willing to listen to voices in the middle.

“I know that Gaza, that Israel’s policies, Netanyahu, were really a touchstone for that election, understandably,” Lynch said. “But I don’t think that everywhere in the country is grappling, has those issues as the most important.”

Political dynamics aside, Roath has called for debates between the two candidates.

“I went to the League of Women Voters and asked them, please host a debate for us, so I think it’s August 13th,” Lynch said.

When pressed on whether that event is a debate or a candidate forum centered on speaking to voters versus direct back-and-forth between candidates, Lynch responded with the following:

“I asked for a debate. I leave it up to the League of Women Voters to do what they will do,” Lynch said.

Lynch also has his eye on a potential House majority for Democrats should they see large gains this November and what priorities the party should pursue, which includes a focus on artificial intelligence and impeaching President Donald Trump.

“I believe it is. It’s one of our priorities,” Lynch said.