Who's running in Massachusetts's 1st congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Richard Neal currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Reversing recent cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
Protecting Social Security benefits and health insurance coverage.
Reining in the war in Iran, which he calls a war of choice.
Holding ICE to account for its enforcement actions.
Directing federal funding to western Massachusetts infrastructure, hospitals and public transportation.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Massachusetts's 1st District (numbered 2nd before 2013) since January 1989; former mayor of Springfield.
Senior Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee.
Pushed for critical access hospital status that allowed North Adams Regional Hospital to reopen; secured earmarks including $1.2 million for an early education centre at MCLA and $3 million for Wahconah Park in Pittsfield.
Won the September 1, 2026 Democratic primary against Jeromie Whalen, about 54% to 46% in unofficial results.
Won the 2024 general election against Nadia Milleron, who took more than 37%.
Endorsed by the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and The Berkshire Eagle.
Raised $2.46 million this cycle through August 12, 2026, with $3.28 million on hand.
Arguments in favor
He has consistently been a strong voice for an often-overlooked region, and recent results — a reopened North Adams hospital, money for MCLA, Wahconah Park and a Lee public safety complex — show he is as vigorous an advocate as ever.
— The Berkshire Eagle editorial board
His record of directing federal funds to western Massachusetts and challenging President Trump speaks for itself, and his relationships let him bring back money such as $40 million in investments at Westover Air Reserve Base.
— Richard Neal campaign, reported by WAMC; Chicopee mayor's office, to the Daily Hampshire Gazette
Arguments against
He has taken more money from big corporations and special interests than almost any other House member, protected corporations from accountability, voted to send billions overseas while local families struggle, and backed trade deals such as China's WTO entry that cost the district jobs.
— Nadia Milleron, independent opponent, campaign site
He relies on corporate PAC money and is not present in the district or meeting constituents; Whalen carried Hampshire County and Holyoke on that message in the primary.
— Jeromie Whalen, Democratic primary opponent, reported by WAMC, The Berkshire Eagle and the Daily Hampshire Gazette
What we couldn’t verify
No NRCC material naming Neal in 2026 could be found; no Republican is running.
Whether Neal will debate Milleron or Celata before November had not been reported.
Certified primary results were not yet published; percentages are unofficial.
Barring corporations from the political process and creating a federal charter for large corporations.
Eliminating federal income tax on earnings under $100,000, and closing corporate tax loopholes.
Voting against taxpayer money for foreign wars.
Healthcare for All legislation that removes corporate insurers from health care.
Capping runaway rents and banning corporate speculators from buying up neighbourhoods.
A federal medical manufacturing zone in the district to produce generic drugs and hospital supplies.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Attorney and small business owner; Smith College graduate with a law degree from the University of Iowa.
Sued Boeing and campaigned for a federal investigation after her daughter's death in the 2019 737 MAX crash.
Independent candidate for this seat in 2024, receiving more than 37% against Neal.
Part of the Independent Candidates Network, a coordinated group of more than 30 non-party House candidates.
Raised $26,918 through March 31, 2026.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
As a true independent she would not be beholden to party bosses; if between five and fifteen independents win they could deny either party a majority and push to change House rules.
— Nadia Milleron, to WAMC and on her campaign site
Arguments against
She lost to Neal by more than 25 points in 2024 and had raised under $27,000 by March 2026 against an incumbent with more than $3 million on hand, in a district forecasters rate safe Democratic.
— 2024 election results; Federal Election Commission filings; forecaster ratings
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Milleron by name could be found — not from Neal's campaign or coverage in WAMC, The Berkshire Eagle, the Daily Hampshire Gazette or WWLP.
Her fundraising after March 31, 2026 was not found.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Massachusetts held its state primary on September 1, 2026. Three candidates are running in November: Democratic incumbent Richard Neal and two unenrolled (independent) candidates, Anthony Celata and Nadia Milleron. No Republican ran. Neal beat teacher Jeromie Whalen in the Democratic primary, roughly 54% to 46% in unofficial results. The roster comes from Ballotpedia's general election listing and was cross-checked against post-primary reporting in WAMC and the Daily Hampshire Gazette, which both name Milleron and Celata as Neal's November opponents. The Secretary of the Commonwealth's candidate list could not be read directly. Candidate order here follows party candidates first, then unenrolled candidates alphabetically; that is an assumption, not the verified ballot order. The district runs from the Berkshires through Springfield to southern central Massachusetts. Forecasters rate it safe Democratic. Neal has held the seat since 1989 and had $3.28 million on hand as of August 12, 2026.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Massachusetts ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.