Lynch fends off Massachusetts House primary challenge in battle over generational change

Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) is projected to fend off a primary challenge from his left and defeat attorney Patrick Roath in a battle defined by generational change, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Lynch, 71, defeated Roath, 39, in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts’s 8th Congressional District. Roath, who served as an aide to former Gov. Deval Patrick (D), was the only Democrat challenging the incumbent.

The incumbent is poised to win by about 15 percentage points with 47 percent of the vote reported by DDHQ Tuesday evening.

Lynch’s win is notable given seven House Democrats lost their primaries in a cycle defined by calls for generational change within the party. An anti-establishment and anti-incumbent energy that has dominated this primary season on both sides of the aisle.

On the campaign trail, Roath hammered the congressman, who’s served in the lower chamber since 2001, over several of his past votes, including against former President Obama’s signature healthcare package in 2010 and for the Laken Riley Act.

Lynch argued that he had delivered results for the 8th Congressional District and pointed to his for the DREAM Act when it was politically unpopular. He said his background and upbringing was emblematic of those who lived in the district as someone who grew up in public housing in South Boston.

Lynch’s win demonstrates the limits to which younger, progressive challengers can topple longtime incumbents — even in a favorable political environment.

Several other primaries centered around generational change and age are also playing out in Massachusetts on Tuesday: Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) is primarying Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) for Markey’s Senate seat and high school teacher Jeromie Whalen is primarying Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) in the western 1st Congressional District.