Moulton could draw challengers

BOSTON — Rep. Seth Moulton drew swift condemnation from local Democratic leaders and LGBTQ+ advocates for comments he made about transgender youth in sports in the wake of Democrats’ defeats earlier this month.

But will the discontent translate to real competition next cycle? It’s early, but some potential challengers are already beginning to stir.

Dan Koh, a former Andover selectman who narrowly lost the race for the open seat in the neighboring 3rd District in 2018, has been making — and fielding — calls about a possible campaign against Moulton, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the conversations.

Koh served as chief of staff to former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. He followed his then-boss to Washington when President Joe Biden plucked Walsh from City Hall to lead his Labor department, and he stuck around when Walsh gave up his Cabinet slot to head the NHL Players’ Association.

He currently works as deputy director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs — a position with an expiration date as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House next year. And despite working in Washington, he still owns a home in Andover, which was swept into Moulton’s district as a result of redistricting in 2021. But Koh, who didn’t respond to calls yesterday, isn’t the only name kicking around.

Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo raised some eyebrows with a Boston fundraiser earlier this week headlined by his former boss, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll — an out-of-town event for the North Shore Democrat that sent political watchers chattering about whether the first-term mayor might be angling to challenge Moulton in 2026.

Pangallo isn’t interested in a congressional bid this cycle, saying, “I really enjoy the job I have now, and I think local government is the best way to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”

Moulton's office declined to comment.

But the buzz shows that the backlash that bubbled up over Moulton’s comments isn’t dying — at least not yet — as Democrats remain divided over the future of their party and what’s to blame for their across-the-board defeats. And it’s the latest against-the-grain move by Moulton that a potential challenger could seize on to try and build a case against the fifth-term incumbent.

“I believe that he is vulnerable, and it’s not just because of the recent comments,” Democratic political consultant Doug Rubin told Playbook. “Challenging [former Speaker Nancy] Pelosi a while ago, the run for president — I think all of those things have the potential to rub voters the wrong way in his district and provide an opening for a candidate to make a credible campaign.”

Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICO’s Massachusetts Playbook newsletter.

Topics

Moulton could draw challengers

Dan Koh is making calls about a possible campaign against Moulton.
Politics - Politico - Yesterday
Moulton could draw challengers

Dan Koh is making calls about a possible campaign against Moulton.
Politics - Politico - Yesterday
Moulton could draw challengers

Dan Koh is making calls about a possible campaign against Moulton.
Politics - Politico - Yesterday
Moulton could draw challengers

Dan Koh is making calls about a possible campaign against Moulton.
Politics - Politico - Yesterday
Moulton could draw challengers

Dan Koh is making calls about a possible campaign against Moulton.
Politics - Politico - Yesterday
Moulton could draw challengers

Dan Koh is making calls about a possible campaign against Moulton.
Politics - Politico - Yesterday
Moulton could draw challengers

Dan Koh is making calls about a possible campaign against Moulton.
Politics - Politico - Yesterday
‘In China, builders don’t look at drawings’: the architect challenging his country’s rampant urban obsession

China is moving mountains and flattening neighbourhoods. But Dong Gong is sparking a revolution – by working slowly with what’s already there. As a book of his great projects appears, he shares his ...
World - The Guardian - November 11
How could Trump allies challenge the US election result?

Former president refused to concede defeat in 2020 and there are signs he could do it again
World - Financial Times - October 30
The next U.S. president could inherit a booming economy. That's a daunting challenge.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump both made the economy a focus of their campaign platforms since voters rank it a top priority.
Business - CNBC - November 2
How Trump and Hegseth could change the US military and the challenges they might face

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick to head the Pentagon, wants major changes to the U.S. military. Here's how DOD could be affected.
Top stories - ABC News - 3 days ago
MLB to test robo-ump challenge system at spring training, could implement it league-wide in 2026

Robo umps are nearly here.
Sports - Yahoo Sports - 6 days ago
Moulton says he stands by comments on trans athletes

Rep. Seth Moulton is defending controversial remarks that he made about transgender athletes.
Politics - CBS News - November 11
Top Moulton aide quits after transgender athlete remarks

A top aide to Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton (Mass.) resigned after comments Moulton made about transgender athletes were panned by state Democrats and LGBTQ groups. Matt Chilliak, Moulton’s ...
Politics - The Hill - November 8
Moulton doubles down on transgender athletes comments: 'Backlash … proves my point'

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) doubled down on his recent comments about transgender athletes, saying the response to them proves his point. “I was just speaking authentically as a dad about one of ...
Politics - The Hill - November 11
Moulton says Democrats not grasping 'depth' of election losses: 'We lost big'

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) said Democrats are not grasping the “depth” of election losses last week, arguing the party should have performed better across the board, but instead “lost big.” “I ...
Politics - The Hill - November 15
The Trump challenge for Europe

An isolationist US will force the continent to rethink its defence and economy
World - Financial Times - November 13
Russo on target as Arsenal draw with Man Utd

Melvine Malard's 82nd minute equaliser cancels out Alessia Russo's first league goal of the season to rescue a 1-1 draw for Manchester United against Arsenal in the Women's Super League at Leigh ...
Top stories - BBC News - November 3
Caicedo equaliser earns Chelsea draw at Man Utd

Moises Caicedo's blistering second-half strike cancelled out a penalty from Bruno Fernandes as Chelsea salvaged a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
Sports - ESPN - November 3
Biden's election season draws quietly to a close

For President Joe Biden, the 2024 campaign ended much as it began, in a room full of union members.
Politics - NBC News - November 5
Labour draws dividing line on tuition fees

Party may hit political difficulties as the amount rises with inflation and system loses its original advantages
World - Financial Times - November 5
Chelsea, Arsenal draw in lively London derby

Chelsea and Arsenal shared the spoils in a tense and at times bruising 1-1 battle on Sunday, keeping the London sides level in the Premier League.
Sports - ESPN - November 10
Veterans Day service in Fruita draws big crowd

World - Yahoo News - November 12
Vini Jr. misses pen in Brazil draw with Venezuela

Brazil had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Venezuela after a quick-fire second-half strike by substitute Telasco Segovia canceled out Raphinha's opener for the dominant visitors in the South American ...
Sports - ESPN - November 15
Musk draws scrutiny over SpaceX contracts

Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter {beacon} Technology Technology The Big Story Musk draws scrutiny over US contracts with Russia contact Two Democratic lawmakers are calling for a ...
Politics - The Hill - November 15
Last-second Jamaica goal seals thrilling tie with England

England settle for a tie in their opening Horizon series match after Jamaica score a dramatic last-second goal at the AO Arena in Manchester.
Top stories - BBC News - November 16
England denied as Jamaica snatch draw in series opener

England had to settle for a tie in their opening Horizon series match against Jamaica in Manchester after a dramatic last-second goal denied them victory.
Top stories - BBC News - November 16
Justice served in Wales draw against Turkey - Bellamy

Wales boss Craig Bellamy says justice was served as Turkey missed a controversial late penalty in their goalless Nations League draw.
Top stories - BBC News - November 16
Neo-Nazi march in Ohio draws rebuke

President Joe Biden joined the chorus of state and city officials who are condemning a weekend neo-Nazi march in Columbus, Ohio.
Politics - The Hill - November 18
Former Flyers Star Drawing Big Trade Interest

This former Flyers defender is generating interest around the league.
Sports - Yahoo Sports - 6 days ago
Amorim era at Man Utd begins with Ipswich draw

Manchester United had to settle for a 1-1 draw at lowly Ipswich Town in Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim's first match in charge as Marcus Rashford's early goal was cancelled out by a deflected strike ...
Sports - ESPN - 4 days ago
Examining the election challenge and certification process

Voting will be complete a week from Tuesday, but the 2024 election will not be over. State elections could be contested and some officials could try to deny certification. CBS News congressional ...
Top stories - CBS News - October 29
Shohei Ohtani drawing millions of World Series viewers from Japan

There will be a Game 5 between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers after the Yankees avoided a sweep with an 11-4 win in Game 4 Tuesday night. That means millions of viewers from Japan ...
Top stories - CBS News - October 30
US draws up draft Israel-Lebanon ceasefire plan

Proposal leaked as senior Washington officials head to Middle East in effort to end year-long conflict
Business - Financial Times - October 31
Why a possible spinoff of Comcast’s cable networks is drawing cheers

Analysts think Comcast’s sprawling empire could get more investor respect without its troubled cable networks, and the networks could benefit from being on their own as well.
Business - MarketWatch - November 1
Dodgers-Yanks draws best WS ratings since 2017

The Dodgers' championship-clinching win over the Yankees in Game 5 on Wednesday night was the most-watched World Series game since 2019, while the series drew its best ratings since 2017.
Sports - ESPN - November 1
Harris and Trump tour key swing states as end of campaign draws close

In Michigan, the ex-president repeated his aggressive attacks that Liz Cheney should have rifles ‘shooting at her’. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris battled to woo voters in the key swing states ...
World - The Guardian - November 2
Musk draws skepticism with call for $2 trillion in spending cuts

Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s call for “at least” $2 trillion in cuts to federal spending is drawing skepticism from experts as the billionaire tech magnate cements himself as one of former President ...
Politics - The Hill - November 3