BOSTON – In a stunning defeat, nine-term incumbent U.S. Rep. John Tierney on Tuesday lost a bitter Democratic primary contest to political newcomer Seth Moulton in the state’s 6th Congressional District.
Moulton, a former Marine and Iraq war veteran credited his win in part on voter frustration with Congress.
“It’s time for a new approach to end the gridlock in Washington,” Moulton said on Tuesday night. “It’s not enough to blame the Republicans for the lack of progress at a time when our country faces so many challenges. And it’s cynical to think we must accept it.”
Moulton ran a well-financed campaign and suggested Tierney had been ineffective in Congress, echoing a sentiment that many Americans share about their own Congressional representatives. By mid-August, Moulton had raised $1.6 million compared with the $1.9 million raised by Tierney.
Moulton, a former Marine and Iraq war veteran, will face Republican Richard Tisei in the November election. When asked if he was concerned about going up against Tisei, Moulton said, “We won’t get fresh thinking and new leadership by sending someone to Washington who was first elected to office when I was 6 years old.”
With many incumbents fearing an ousting this midterm due to lack of voter trust, this may be a sign of things to come in November.