Dan Koh Wins Massachusetts Primary, Sets Path to House of Representatives

Dan Koh, a former aide in the Biden administration, has won a tight primary race in Massachusetts, paving the way for his entry to the House of Representatives this November. Koh emerged victorious from a pool of six candidates aiming to replace Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., whose congressional career concluded after his unsuccessful Senate bid against Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass.

Koh received support from former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, a backing that comes as no surprise given his White House tenure. Koh initially served as chief of staff to then-Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and later as deputy assistant to the president and deputy director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

In a congressional primary debate held in Lowell, Massachusetts, back on April 29, 2018, Koh had participated as a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District seat. However, he narrowly missed winning the Democratic nomination, losing to Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass.

Koh’s current campaign rests on progressive ideals, including dissolving ICE, referred to as ‘Trump’s ICE,’ and advocating for universal healthcare. With the primary win, he is positioned to represent the 6th Congressional District of Massachusetts, a district considered a secure Democratic seat.

Former Marine Rep. Seth Moulton, who has represented the northeastern district since 2015, campaigned for the Senate aiming for generational change. Despite challenging the long-tenured Sen. Ed Markey in a contentious primary, Moulton’s efforts fell short.

Backed by high-profile progressive figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Markey, 80, remains an established name in Massachusetts’ political sphere since 2013.

In contrast, Koh represents the traditional left, rooted in a family with a history in federal service. His father, Howard Koh, served as assistant secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services under President Barack Obama, and his uncle also served under Obama and Clinton.

Koh will now face Republican military veteran Micah Jones, who runs unopposed in his primary. Elizabeth Elkind, a Fox News Digital politics reporter, leads coverage of House of Representatives topics. Her work has appeared in publications like Daily Mail and CBS News. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind or send tips to [email protected].