Election 2018: Candidate Profile Of Jim McGovern

Longtime Congressman James "Jim" P. McGovern is hoping to keep his seat for another term, challenged this time by Grafton Republican Tracy Lyn Lovvorn for the Massachusetts 2nd Congressional District.

The Democrat, who is 58, has been on the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997. He's married to Lisa Murray McGovern and has a son Patrick, 20, and daughter Molly, 17. McGovern graduated from Worcester Academy in 1977, has a bachelors in history and a masters in public administration from the American University.

McGovern said that the best advice he ever got was from Senator George McGovern (who is not related), whom he considers a hero, a former employer. George was present at McGovern's first swearing in and he asked him what advice he could give as a new member of Congress.

"Get over the fear of losing an election," George told him. "If all you worry about is public opinion polls, you won’t focus on doing what’s right. Always do what’s right.”

Now, he's been a Congressman for 20 years, and says, ""I know how to get things done for my district. Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve rolled up my sleeves and worked across the aisle when necessary to help the people of Central and Western Massachusetts. I authored the Wounded Warrior Service Dog Act, for example, to create a federal grant program to fund training service dogs for veterans and the disabled. Whether it’s helping to bring federal money to projects like rehabbing Worcester Airport or to the Barre Fire Department to upgrade the breathing apparatus devices that firefighters use, I know how to make it happen."

For McGovern, the single most pressing issue that faces his district is ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, high-quality healthcare.

"I’ve fought tooth and nail against attempts to take away healthcare for those with pre-existing conditions," he told Patch. We can’t go back to the days when big insurance companies could refuse to cover someone with cancer or drop coverage as soon as they got sick. I’m also committed to making prescription drugs more affordable. Big drug company CEOs scored a huge tax windfall in the Republican tax bill yet prescription drug prices keep rising for seniors and working families. That’s not right. I support allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices and toughening enforcement and accountability on drug companies that engage in price gouging or excessive price increases."

McGovern cites "knowing the district" as a major difference between him and his opponent. He knows how to get things done, he says, and enjoys meeting people from every city and town, always promoting an open door policy.

"I’m incredibly proud of the thousands of constituents we’ve helped over the years," said McGovern, "from everything from helping a World War II veteran get the medals he courageously earned but never received to helping a single mom working two jobs secure affordable housing assistance for her family."

A major focus for McGovern, he added, is to create opportunities for the middle class and increase wages for working families. Though the stock market is doing well, he said he hears from middle class people "all the time" that their wages haven't gone up during a time of economic recovery.

"Workers aren’t feeling the economic recovery and their paychecks don’t match the rising costs of living," said McGovern. "And, despite his promises, the reality of Trump’s tax cuts is that 83 percent went to the wealthiest 1 percent and added $1.8 trillion to the deficit. I want to create millions of good paying jobs by investing in our crumbling infrastructure and by providing a new tax credit to small businesses to train and hire new workers. I also firmly believe in restoring decency to politics. Trump has made it acceptable to bully, belittle, and demean others. You can firmly stand up for what you believe in without being insulting."

The 2nd Congressional District includes, in Norfolk County, Precincts 4A and 5 in Bellingham. In Worcester County, the district includes Athol, Auburn, Barre, Blackstone, Boylston, Douglas, Grafton, Hardwick, Holden, Hubbardston, Leicester, Leominster, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Northborough, Northbridge, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Petersham, Phillipston, Princeton, Royalston, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Spencer, Sterling, Sutton, Templeton, Upton, Uxbridge, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield, Westborough, Worcester and Precinct 1 in Winchendon. It also includes several towns and communities in Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire counties.

"I’m proud of who I am, what I believe, and the work I’ve done for the 2nd congressional district. I would be honored to be re-elected as your congressman."

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