Massachusetts's 10th congressional district

Massachusetts's 10th congressional district is a U.S. House district located in the southeastern coastal region of Massachusetts. It encompasses all of Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties, along with parts of Bristol and Plymouth counties, including the cities of New Bedford and Fall River. The district is currently represented by Democrat Bill Keating, who has served since 2013. It is known for its coastal economy, historic sites, and political competitiveness.

History

The district's boundaries have shifted significantly throughout its history, with its current iteration established after the 2010 Census. Historically, the area was represented by notable figures such as Joseph W. Martin Jr., who served as Speaker of the House, and Gerry Studds, the first openly gay member of Congress. The region played a key role in early American industry, particularly the whaling and textile trades centered in New Bedford and Fall River. The district also includes Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, areas with deep maritime heritage and significant tourism. Following the 2020 redistricting, the district was reconfigured to include more of the South Coast.

List of representatives

The district has been represented by members from both major parties. Key representatives include Federalist Fisher Ames, a prominent framer of the First Amendment, and Republican Joseph W. Martin Jr., who served as Speaker during the 80th and 83rd Congresses. In the modern era, Democrat Gerry Studds held the seat from 1973 to 1997, followed by Republican Joseph D. Early and then Democrat William Delahunt. Since 2013, the seat has been held by Democrat Bill Keating, a former state senator and Norfolk County District Attorney.

Election results

Recent elections have been competitive but have consistently favored Democratic candidates. In the 2022 election, incumbent Bill Keating defeated Republican Jesse Brown with approximately 59% of the vote. The 2020 election saw Keating win over Republican Helen Brady with a similar margin. The district's Partisan Voting Index is D+6, indicating a Democratic lean, though Republican candidates have won in past cycles, such as in the 1994 Republican Revolution when Peter G. Torkildsen briefly held the seat.

Demographics

According to the 2020 Census, the district has a population of approximately 781,000. The racial composition is predominantly White (84.5%), with significant Hispanic (5.8%), Asian (3.8%), and Black (2.8%) populations. Major population centers include New Bedford, Fall River, and the towns of Barnstable and Plymouth. The median household income is about $96,274, above the national average, though economic disparities exist between affluent areas like Martha's Vineyard and older industrial cities. Key industries include tourism, health care, fishing, and higher education, with institutions like the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Recent elections and political trends

The district has trended more Democratic in recent national elections, voting for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election by a margin of over 20 points. However, local elections can be more competitive, with voters often supporting moderate candidates from both parties. Key issues include coastal environmental protection, offshore wind energy development, the opioid epidemic, and supporting the fishing industry. The retirement of long-time representative William Delahunt in 2010 opened the seat for Bill Keating, who has since focused on national security as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Homeland Security Committee. The political landscape is influenced by the Democratic strongholds of the South Coast and the more politically mixed communities of Cape Cod.

Category:Massachusetts's congressional districts