◆ The candidate record

James P McGovern

Born 11/20/1959 · Worcester, MA
F
35 sourced actions
◆ The seat
OFFICE
House
DISTRICT
Massachusetts · 02
PARTY
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
STATUS
Incumbent
ELECTION
2026-11-03
House AgricultureHouse Rules · Ranking Member
◆ The record
35
SOURCED ACTIONS
29
FLOOR VOTES
0
FEC TRANSACTIONS
2 / 33
PRO / ANTI-2A
9
SCORECARDS
2026-07-14
LATEST ACTION
Community

The record (35)

F
Graded on 35 sourced actions

FEC-recorded money between Second Amendment committees and this candidate, and recorded floor votes on gun bills, each with its official source. Community sentiment below never moves this grade.

1 / 715 of 35

Contact James P McGovern

  • WASHINGTON, D.C. · 370 Cannon House Office Building · Washington, DC · 20515
  • CAMPAIGN · Post Office Box 60405 · Worcester, MA · 01606

Interest-group scorecards (9)

How advocacy groups on both sides score this candidate, reprinted as published. These are the groups’ judgments, not ours, and they never enter the grade above.

National
100%2015-2016
8 earlier ratings
  • 2013-2014100%
  • 2003100%
  • 2002100%
  • 1991-2009100%
  • 1990-2016100%
  • 1990-2014100%
  • 1988-2008100%
  • 1987-1999100%
About this group

The mission of the Brady organization and its Million Mom March is to create a safer America by cutting gun deaths in half by 2025.

The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.

National
8%2024
21 earlier ratings
  • 20230%
  • 2021-20229%
  • 20218%
  • 20208%
  • 2017-201867%
  • 2015-20160%
  • 20150%
  • 20140%
  • 20130%
  • 20120%
  • 201125%
  • 20100%
  • 2009≈0%
  • 2007≈0%
  • 20060%
  • 200525%
  • 2003-20040%
  • 2003≈0%
  • 20030%
  • 2001-20020%
  • 1999-20000%
About this group

Gun Owners of America (GOA) is a non-profit lobbying organization formed in 1975 to preserve and defend the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. GOA sees firearms ownership as a freedom issue.

The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.

Massachusetts
0%2020
4 earlier ratings
  • 2016-20170%
  • 20160%
  • 2012≈5%
  • 2010≈5%
About this group

Gun Owners' Action League is the official state firearms association of Massachusetts -- an association of law-abiding citizens who believe in the basic right of firearms ownership for competition, recreation, and self-protection. GOAL is currently the second-largest voluntary dues-paying membership organization in the state.

The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.

National
0%2019-2020
About this group

We take the conservative policy visions outlined by our sister organization, The Heritage Foundation" (whose mission is: 'to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.' ) " and make them a reality. We ensure members of Congress hear directly from their constituents.

The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.

National
100%2005
4 earlier ratings
  • 2003100%
  • 2001-200295%
  • 200199%
  • 1997-199895%
About this group

In 1948, Eleanor Roosevelt and her friends had an idea for an organization that would pool the resources of small contributors from across the country and spend those funds to help elect the most progressive candidates to the U.S. Senate and House. NCEC supports progressive candidates who fight for the issues we believe in, like freedom of choice, separation of church and state, gun control, equal rights, and environmental protection.

The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.

National
0%2024
11 earlier ratings
  • 20220%
  • 20200%
  • 20180%
  • 2016-20220%
  • 20167%
  • 20127%
  • 20087%
  • 20068%
  • 20048%
  • 20028%
  • 20008%
About this group

The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is NRA's political action committee. The NRA-PVF ranks political candidates - irrespective of party affiliation - based on voting records, public statements and their responses to an NRA-PVF questionnaire. NRA relies on a very simple premise: when provided with the facts, the nation's elected officials will recognize that "gun control" schemes are an infringement on the Second Amendment and a proven failure in fighting crime. The importance of this premise lies in the knowledge that, as one U.S. Congressman put it: "The gun lobby is people."

The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.

Massachusetts
≈5%2010
About this group

“The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is NRA's political action committee. The NRA-PVF  ranks political candidates - irrespective of party affiliation - based on voting records, public statements and their responses to an NRA-PVF questionnaire. […] NRA relies on a very simple premise: when provided with the facts, the nation's elected officials will recognize that "gun control" schemes are an infringement on the Second Amendment and a proven failure in fighting crime. The importance of this premise lies in the knowledge that, as one U.S. Congressman put it: "The gun lobby is people."

The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.

National
0%2021-2022
2 earlier ratings
  • 20200%
  • 20180%
About this group

To promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 12,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers.

The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.

1 / 218 of 9

Background

Education
  • MPA, Public Administration, American University, 1984
  • BA, History, American University, 1981
Profession
  • Legislative Staff, Representative Joseph Moakley, United States House of Representatives, 1982-1996
  • Campaign Manager, Presidential Campaign, Senator George McGovern, 1984
  • Aide, Senator George McGovern, United States Senate, 1981-1983
Political career
  • Regional Whip, United States House of Representatives
  • Representative, United States House of Representatives, 1996-present
  • Representative, United States House of Representatives, Massachusetts, 2013-present
+1 more
  • Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Massachusetts, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026

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