Dan Koh, a former Biden White House official, won the Massachusetts 6th District Democratic primary on September 1, defeating a crowded field of rivals to secure the party’s nomination for the open House seat.
Koh, 41, served as deputy assistant to President Joe Biden and chief of staff to former Boston Mayor and U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh. The Andover resident emerged from a competitive six-candidate primary that included state Representative Tram Nguyen, Lynnfield businessman John Beccia, Middleton software engineer Beth Andres-Beck, and Topsfield Town Moderator Jamie Belsito.
The primary was prompted by Rep. Seth Moulton’s decision to vacate the seat to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Ed Markey in the Democratic Senate primary, which Markey won. Moulton’s departure created an unusual opening in the 6th District, which had been represented continuously by Salem politicians since 1997.
Koh ran a well-funded campaign, vastly out-raising his opponents and benefiting from over $700,000 in spending on his behalf from Think Big, a super PAC affiliated with the pro-AI Leading the Future network. He explicitly embraced endorsements from former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, featuring both in campaign advertisements at a time when many Democratic candidates distance themselves from the previous administration.
His main rival, Tram Nguyen, received backing from progressive political groups, as well as endorsements from Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Lori Trahan, and from The Boston Globe. Nguyen raised approximately $711,000 in campaign funds, with about 85 percent coming from within Massachusetts.
This is Koh’s second attempt at a House seat. In 2018, he lost a close recount battle to Lori Trahan in the 3rd District primary, with Trahan prevailing by 145 votes. When district lines shifted following the 2020 census, Koh’s Andover home was drawn into the 6th District, giving him another opportunity to run for Congress.
Koh will be the heavy favorite in November’s general election, facing Republican Micah Jones, a U.S. Army veteran and attorney from Essex who ran unopposed in the Republican primary. The 6th District is a deep-blue seat, making the Democratic nominee the likely winner in the fall.
Sources
- Politico — Koh’s primary victory, his campaign strategy, Biden and Harris endorsements, and spending from Think Big super PAC
- WBUR — Koh’s background as White House special assistant and chief of staff to Marty Walsh, the crowded primary field, Nguyen’s endorsements and fundraising, and Koh’s 2018 primary loss to Trahan
- The Hill — Confirmation of Koh’s victory and his 2018 race against Trahan
- NBC News and USA Today — Confirmation of Koh’s primary win and Moulton’s Senate primary loss to Markey
- Ballotpedia — General election matchup with Micah Jones and primary date confirmation
