Massachusetts's 4th congressional district is located mostly in southern Massachusetts. It is represented by Democrat Jake Auchincloss. Auchincloss was first elected in 2020.

The district covers much of the area included in the 10th district before the 1992 redistricting. In prior years, the district stretched from Brookline to Fitchburg. The shape of the district underwent some changes effective from the elections of 2012, after Massachusetts congressional redistricting to reflect the 2010 census. Most of Plymouth County and the South Coast are included in the new 9th district. The new 4th district has expanded westward to include towns along the Rhode Island border that had been in the old 3rd district.

For a very brief time (1793–95) it represented part of the District of Maine.

Geography

There are 35 municipalities in the 4th district, as of the 2021 redistricting. This list is sorted by county.

Bristol County (14)

Attleboro, Berkley, Dighton, Fall River, Freetown, Mansfield, North Attleborough, Norton, Raynham (part; also 9th), Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton

Middlesex County (2)

Newton, Sherborn

Norfolk County (13)

Bellingham, Brookline, Dover, Foxborough, Franklin, Medfield, Millis, Needham, Norfolk, Plainville, Sharon, Wellesley (part; also 5th), Wrentham

Plymouth County (1)

Lakeville

Worcester County (5)

Blackstone, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millville

Recent election results from statewide races

YearOfficeResults
2008PresidentObama 61% – 37%
SenateKerry 69% – 31%
2010Senate (Spec.)Brown 54% – 46%
GovernorPatrick 47% – 45%
2012PresidentObama 59% – 41%
SenateWarren 51% – 49%
2014SenateMarkey 60% – 40%
GovernorBaker 51% – 45%
2016PresidentClinton 58% – 35%
2018SenateWarren 58% – 39%
GovernorBaker 69% – 31%
Secretary of the CommonwealthGalvin 69% – 28%
Attorney GeneralHealey 68% – 32%
Treasurer and Receiver-GeneralGoldberg 65% – 32%
AuditorBump 61% – 32%
2020PresidentBiden 63% – 35%
SenateMarkey 63% – 36%
2022GovernorHealey 62% – 37%
Secretary of the CommonwealthGalvin 66% – 32%
Attorney GeneralCampbell 61% – 39%
AuditorDiZoglio 53% – 40%
2024PresidentHarris 58% – 39%
SenateWarren 56% – 44%

List of members representing the district

Member (District home)PartyYearsCong ressElectoral historyDistrict location
District created March 4, 1789
Theodore Sedgwick (Stockbridge)Pro-AdministrationMarch 4, 1789 – March 3, 17931st 2ndElected in 1789. Re-elected in 1790. Redistricted to the 2nd district.1789–1793 Berkshire County
Henry Dearborn (Gardiner)Anti-AdministrationMarch 4, 1793 – March 3, 1795 (General ticket)3rdElected in 1793 on the second ballot as part of a three-seat general ticket, representing the district from Lincoln, Hancock, and Washington Counties. Redistricted to the 12th district.1793–1795 District of Maine
Peleg Wadsworth (Portland)Pro-AdministrationElected in 1793 on the third ballot as part of a three-seat general ticket, representing the district from Cumberland County. Redistricted to the 13th district.
George Thatcher (Biddeford)Pro-AdministrationRedistricted from the 8th district and re-elected in 1792 as part of a three-seat general ticket, representing the district from York County. Redistricted to the 14th district.
Dwight Foster (Brookfield)FederalistMarch 4, 1795 – June 6, 18004th 5th 6thRedistricted from the 2nd district and re-elected in 1794. Re-elected in 1796. Re-elected in 1798. Resigned when elected U.S. Senator.1795–1803 "4th Western district"
VacantJune 6, 1800 – December 15, 18006th
Levi Lincoln Sr. (Worcester)Democratic-RepublicanDecember 15, 1800 – March 5, 18016th 7thElected in 1800. Later elected to finish Foster's term. Resigned to become U.S. Attorney General.
VacantMarch 5, 1801 – August 24, 18017th
Seth Hastings (Mendon)FederalistAugust 24, 1801 – March 3, 1803Elected to finish Lincoln's term and seated January 11, 1802. Redistricted to the 10th district.
Joseph Bradley Varnum (Dracut)Democratic-RepublicanMarch 4, 1803 – June 29, 18118th 9th 10th 11th 12thRedistricted from the 9th district and re-elected in 1802. Re-elected in 1804. Re-elected in 1804. Re-elected in 1806. Re-elected in 1808. Re-elected in 1810. Resigned on election to U.S. Senate.1803–1823 "Middlesex district"
VacantJune 29, 1811 – November 4, 181112th
William M. Richardson (Groton)Democratic-RepublicanNovember 4, 1811 – April 18, 181412th 13thElected to finish Varnum's term. Re-elected in 1812. Resigned to become U.S. Attorney.
VacantApril 18, 1814 – September 22, 181413th
Samuel Dana (Groton)Democratic-RepublicanSeptember 22, 1814 – March 3, 1815Elected May 23, 1814, to finish Richardson's term. (Seated September 22, 1814.) Lost re-election.
Asahel Stearns (Charlestown)FederalistMarch 4, 1815 – March 3, 181714thElected in 1814. Lost re-election.
Timothy Fuller (Boston)Democratic-RepublicanMarch 4, 1817 – March 3, 182515th 16th 17th 18thElected in 1816. Re-elected in 1818. Re-elected in 1820. Re-elected in 1822. [data missing]
1823–1833 "Middlesex district"
Edward Everett (Charlestown)Anti-JacksonianMarch 4, 1825 – March 3, 183519th 20th 21st 22nd 23rdElected in 1824. Re-elected in 1826. Re-elected in 1828. Re-elected in 1830. Re-elected in 1833. Retired.
1833–1843 [data missing]
Samuel Hoar (Concord)Anti-JacksonianMarch 4, 1835 – March 3, 183724thElected in 1834. Lost re-election.
William Parmenter (Cambridge)DemocraticMarch 4, 1837 – March 3, 184525th 26th 27th 28thElected in 1836. Re-elected in 1838. Re-elected in 1840. Re-elected in 1842. Lost re-election.
1843–1853 [data missing]
Benjamin Thompson (Charlestown)WhigMarch 4, 1845 – March 3, 184729thElected on the second ballot in 1844. Retired.
John G. Palfrey (Cambridge)WhigMarch 4, 1847 – March 3, 184930thElected in 1846. Lost re-election.
VacantMarch 4, 1849 – March 3, 185131stNo candidate received the needed majority of votes in twelve runnings of the 1848 election.
Benjamin Thompson (Charlestown)WhigMarch 4, 1851 – September 24, 185232ndElected in 1850. Died.
VacantSeptember 25, 1852 – December 12, 1852
Lorenzo Sabine (Framingham)WhigDecember 13, 1852 – March 3, 1853Elected to finish Thompson's term. Retired.
Samuel H. Walley (Roxbury)WhigMarch 4, 1853 – March 3, 185533rdElected in 1852. Lost re-election.1853–1863 [data missing]
Linus B. Comins (Boston)Know NothingMarch 4, 1855 – March 3, 185734th 35thElected in 1854. Re-elected in 1856. [data missing]
RepublicanMarch 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859
Alexander H. Rice (Boston)RepublicanMarch 4, 1859 – March 3, 186336th 37thElected in 1858. Re-elected in 1860. Redistricted to the 3rd district.
Samuel Hooper (Boston)RepublicanMarch 4, 1863 – February 14, 187538th 39th 40th 41st 42nd 43rdRedistricted from the 5th district and re-elected in 1862. Re-elected in 1864. Re-elected in 1866. Re-elected in 1868. Re-elected in 1870. Re-elected in 1872. Retired, but died before retirement.1863–1873 [data missing]
1873–1883 [data missing]
VacantFebruary 14, 1875 – March 3, 187543rd
Rufus S. Frost (Chelsea)RepublicanMarch 4, 1875 – July 28, 187644thElected in 1874. Election challenged by successor.
Josiah G. Abbott (Boston)DemocraticJuly 28, 1876 – March 3, 1877Successfully challenged predecessor. Lost re-election.
Leopold Morse (Boston)DemocraticMarch 4, 1877 – March 3, 188345th 46th 47thElected in 1876. Re-elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Redistricted to the 5th district.
Patrick A. Collins (Boston)DemocraticMarch 4, 1883 – March 3, 188948th 49th 50thElected in 1882. Re-elected in 1884. Re-elected in 1886. Retired.1883–1893 [data missing]
Joseph H. O'Neil (Boston)DemocraticMarch 4, 1889 – March 3, 189351st 52ndElected in 1888. Re-elected in 1890. Redistricted to the 9th district.
Lewis D. Apsley (Hudson)RepublicanMarch 4, 1893 – March 3, 189753rd 54thElected in 1892. Re-elected in 1894. Retired.1893–1903 [data missing]
George W. Weymouth (Fitchburg)RepublicanMarch 4, 1897 – March 3, 190155th 56thElected in 1896. Re-elected in 1898. Retired.
Charles Q. Tirrell (Natick)RepublicanMarch 4, 1901 – July 31, 191057th 58th 59th 60th 61stElected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Died.
1903–1913 [data missing]
VacantAugust 1, 1910 – November 8, 191061st
John Joseph Mitchell (Marlborough)DemocraticNovember 8, 1910 – March 3, 1911Elected to finish Tirrell's term. Lost election to the next term.
William H. Wilder (Gardner)RepublicanMarch 4, 1911 – March 3, 191362ndElected in 1910. Redistricted to the 3rd district.
Samuel Winslow (Worcester)RepublicanMarch 4, 1913 – March 3, 192563rd 64th 65th 66th 67th 68thElected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Re-elected in 1922. Retired.1913–1923 [data missing]
1923–1933 [data missing]
George R. Stobbs (Worcester)RepublicanMarch 4, 1925 – March 3, 193169th 70th 71stElected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Retired.
Pehr G. Holmes (Worcester)RepublicanMarch 4, 1931 – January 3, 194772nd 73rd 74th 75th 76th 77th 78th 79thElected in 1930. Re-elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Lost re-election.
1933–1943 [data missing]
1943–1953 [data missing]
Harold Donohue (Worcester)DemocraticJanuary 3, 1947 – January 3, 197380th 81st 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92ndElected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Redistricted to the 3rd district.
1953–1963 [data missing]
1963–1973 [data missing]
Robert Drinan (Newton)DemocraticJanuary 3, 1973 – January 3, 198193rd 94th 95th 96thRedistricted from the 3rd district and re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Retired after Pope John Paul II ordered all priests to withdraw from electoral politics.1973–1983 [data missing]
Barney Frank (Newton)DemocraticJanuary 3, 1981 – January 3, 201397th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112thElected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Retired.
1983–1993 [data missing]
1993–2003 [data missing]
2003–2013
Joe Kennedy III (Newton)DemocraticJanuary 3, 2013 – January 3, 2021113th 114th 115th 116thElected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Retired to run for U.S. senator.2013–2023
Jake Auchincloss (Newton)DemocraticJanuary 3, 2021 – present117th 118th 119thElected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024.
2023–present

Recent election results

2002

U.S. House election, 2002: Massachusetts, District 4
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticBarney Frank (incumbent)166,12598.99+24.09
Write-in1,6911.01+0.96
Turnout167,816100–

2004

U.S. House election, 2004: Massachusetts, District 4
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticBarney Frank (incumbent)219,26077.74−21.25
IndependentChuck Morse62,29322.09+22.09
Write-in4860.17−0.84
Turnout282,039100–

2006

U.S. House election, 2006: Massachusetts, District 4
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticBarney Frank (incumbent)176,51398.48+20.74
Write-in2,7301.52+1.35
Turnout179,243100–

2008

U.S. House election, 2008: Massachusetts, District 4
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticBarney Frank (incumbent)203,03264.3−34.18
RepublicanEarl Henry Sholley75,57123.9+23.9
IndependentSusan Allen19,8486.29+6.29
Write-in3370.11−1.41
Blank/Scattering16,9465.37+5.37
Turnout315,734100–

2010

U.S. House election, 2010: Massachusetts, District 4
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticBarney Frank (incumbent)126,19453.9−10.4
RepublicanSean Bielat101,51743.4+19.5
IndependentSusan Allen3,4451.5−4.79
IndependentDonald Jordan2,8731.2+1.2
Turnout234,029100–

2012

U.S. House election, 2012: Massachusetts, District 4
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticJoe Kennedy III219,49961.1+7.2
RepublicanSean Bielat129,24336.0−7.4
IndependentDavid Rosa10,6742.9+0.2
Turnout356,416100–

2014

Massachusetts's 4th Congressional District, 2014
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticJoe Kennedy III (incumbent)184,15897.91
No partyAll Others3,9402.09
Total votes188,098100
Democratic hold

2016

U.S. House election, 2016: Massachusetts, District 4
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticJoe Kennedy III (incumbent)265,82370.1+9
RepublicanDavid Rosa113,05529.8−6.2
Write-in3350.1
Turnout379,213100–

2018

U.S. House election, 2018: Massachusetts, District 4
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticJoe Kennedy III (Incumbent)245,28997.7
n/aWrite-ins5,7272.3
Total votes251,016100.0
Democratic hold

2020

U.S. House election, 2020: Massachusetts, District 4
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticJake Auchincloss251,10260.8
RepublicanJulie Hall160,47438.9
Write-in1,2470.3
Total votes412,823100.0
Democratic hold

2022

U.S. House election, 2022: Massachusetts, District 4
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticJake Auchincloss201,88296.9
Write-in6,3973.1
Total votes291,569100.0
Democratic hold

2024

2024 Massachusetts's 4th congressional district election
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticJake Auchincloss (incumbent)289,34797.2
Write-in8,3782.8
Total votes297,725100.0
Democratic hold

Explanatory notes

  • Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
  • Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.

External links

Election results

41°59′50″N 71°13′39″W/41.99722°N 71.22750°W/ 41.99722; -71.22750