Biden-Harris favorite gets second shot at Congress, beats Squad-backed candidate
Former Biden Aide Dan Koh Wins Massachusetts 6th‑District Primary
In a crowded field of six candidates, former White‑House staffer Dan Koh secured the Democratic nomination to replace Rep. Seth Moulton in Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District. The vote, which closed on Tuesday night, gave Koh a clear path to the November election in a seat that has long leaned Democratic.
Koh’s victory follows Moulton’s departure from the House after an unsuccessful Senate bid. Moulton, who served the district from 2015 to 2024, launched a campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2024 against incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, the 80‑year‑old progressive who has been in office since 2013. Moulton’s effort ended in a primary defeat, a result that left the 6th‑District seat open for a new representative.
A Political Journey Rooted in the Biden Administration
Dan Koh’s political resume includes significant roles within the Obama and Biden administrations. He began as chief of staff to Labor Secretary Marty Walsh before becoming deputy assistant to President Biden and deputy director of the White‑House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. The former aide’s campaign was buoyed by endorsements from President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, reflecting a strong establishment connection.
Koh has run for Congress before. In 2018 he challenged Rep. Lori Trahan for the 3rd‑District Democratic nomination but lost narrowly. His experience in federal service and his progressive platform—calling for the dismantling of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as it existed under former President Donald Trump and supporting universal health care—helped him stand out in this year’s primary.
The 6th‑District Landscape
The 6th Congressional District covers the northeastern corner of Massachusetts, including cities such as Lynn, Salem, and Malden. The district is considered a safe blue seat, a status that has made the Democratic primary the de facto winner’s circle. With the general election still more than a year away, Koh now faces a Republican opponent in Micah Jones, a military veteran who ran unopposed in the GOP primary.
Moulton, 47, had framed his Senate campaign around the idea that the electorate wanted generational change and that Markey had missed opportunities to improve life for Massachusetts residents. Despite endorsements from high‑profile progressive figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, Markey’s seniority and established fundraising network ultimately secured the Democratic nomination for the Senate.
Family Ties to Federal Service
Koh’s background extends beyond his own career. His father, Howard Koh, served as an assistant secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services under President Barack Obama. An uncle of his also held positions in the federal government during the Obama and Clinton administrations, underscoring a family tradition of public service.
Next Steps for Dan Koh
With the primary behind him, Dan Koh will now shift his focus to the November general election. He will campaign on a platform that emphasizes progressive reforms while also positioning himself as a seasoned federal official capable of navigating Washington’s complexities. His opponent, Republican Micah Jones, will need to mobilize voters in a district that has consistently favored Democrats.
The outcome of the upcoming general election will determine whether Koh can translate his primary momentum into a congressional seat and whether Massachusetts’ 6th‑District will continue its tradition of Democratic representation.