Stephen Lynch

Patrick Roath, the first-time candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, has outraised the incumbent since launching his bid last year, according to new campaign finance reports released last week.

But Lynch, a member of Congress since 2001, still holds a financial edge over his opponent in the Democratic primary for the 8th Congressional District of Massachusetts.

Since declaring his candidacy in May 2025, Roath, an attorney and voting rights advocate, has raised about $1.06 million.

Lynch has raised about $813,000 this election cycle, according to data the candidates reported to the Federal Election Commission.

More recently, though, Lynch’s fundraising has exceeded Roath’s. Between April and June, the most recent period of data, Lynch reported raising $272,000. Roath raised $190,000.

The candidates have spent similarly over the election cycle: $648,000 from Roath, $640,000 from Lynch.

All told, the South Boston congressman was left with more than $1.2 million on hand with under six weeks until the Sept. 1 primary election.

That’s nearly triple the roughly $459,000 the Roath campaign holds in the bank.

Roath, of Jamaica Plain, has campaigned on a message of generational change against Lynch, 71.

He has also presented the 13-term congressman with his first serious primary challenge in years.

In an election cycle where angst about the direction of the Democratic Party has driven challenges to incumbents across the country, Lynch has been described by the New York Times as one of the congressional Democrats most at risk of losing to a progressive rival.

Roath said he entered the race because Democratic leaders, including veteran politicians like Lynch, are “not doing the job” of standing up to President Donald Trump.

He has criticized parts of Lynch’s voting record, including the congressman’s support for the Laken Riley Act, a law Trump signed last year concerning the detention of unauthorized migrants arrested or charged with certain crimes.

Twelve Democratic senators and 46 representatives voted with Republicans to pass the law. Lynch was its only supporter from the Massachusetts delegation.

Lynch has emphasized his experience in Congress, strong labor ties and position on the powerful House Oversight Committee as he campaigns for a 14th term.

On social media, he has posted videos of himself questioning Trump administration appointees, pledging to “continue fighting to hold this administration accountable.”

Lynch’s fundraising haul includes $308,600 from other political committees, such as political action committees.

Nearly $63,000 of that has come since April, including a $6,000 donation from the Employees of RTX Corporation Political Action Committee, a $5,000 donation from the TD Bank National Association Political Action Committee and $4,000 from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.

Roath has drawn $11,000 from political committees since entering the race.

He has loaned his campaign $50,000 in personal funds, including $30,000 last month.

Public polling of the race has been limited. A mid-February poll commissioned by the Roath campaign showed Lynch leading 62% to 36% among a sample of 400 likely voters.

In 2020, his last contested primary, Lynch won 66% to 34%.

The district forms a horseshoe stretching from Downtown Boston and the North End, through South Boston and Dorchester, south to the Brockton area and back northwest through Norwood and Dedham and into West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain.