State Sen. Lydia Edwards endorsed State. Rep. Tram Nguyen in the Massachusetts 6th Congressional District primary.

“I know a fighter when I see one,” said Edwards, who is the first woman and person of color to represent the 3rd Suffolk District. “Before she was a State Representative, Tram Nguyen was in the trenches as a legal aid attorney, fighting for domestic violence survivors and workers who the system tried to leave behind. I have known Tram for over ten years, and she doesn’t just talk about justice; she delivers it. We need her grit and her heart in Washington to stand up for our democracy and our families.”

The 6th District’s congressional seat is up for grabs after Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) announced he would challenge Sen. Edward Markey in the Democratic primary ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. There are seven Democrats  – Bethany Andres-Beck, John Beccia, Jamie Belsito, Rick Jakious, Dan Koh, Mariah Lancaster and Tram Nguyen – along with Republican Micah Jones. Nguyen is the current 18th Essex District state representative, serving Andover, Boxford, North Andover and Tewksbury.

Nguyen and Edwards first met as fellow legal aid attorneys at Greater Boston Legal Services. They currently serve together in the Massachusetts State House.

Nguyen chairs the House Committee on Climate Action and Sustainability, making her the first Asian American woman to chair a committee in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. 

Born in Vietnam, Nguyen immigrated to the U.S. with her family at age 5 and grew up in the Merrimack Valley. She previously worked at Greater Boston Legal Services, representing survivors of domestic violence in family and immigration law. 

According to her campaign, Nguyen has raised more than $255,000 from 1,185 individual donors, with more than 80% of funds coming from Massachusetts-based contributors.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports Nguyen raised $257,145.81 from October 1 to December 31. Individual contributions account for $253,770.81, and he has received $3,375 from a committee.

Nguyen has spoken at two Democratic candidate debates at this point, noting that “we need to be bold and we need to stand up.”

“We need someone who can really understand the struggles of the people,” said Nguyen. “I know what it’s like to have to stand in the food pantry line. I know what it’s like to live in public housing…This is exactly why I’ve spent my entire career in public service.

Nguyen said in Ipswich that she has always fought against the opposition.

“I came to office in 2018, beating an acting Republican, to win the seat by 10 points because we’re very committed to fighting against extremism and creating a welcoming and inclusive community for all,” Nguyen said. “I have a track record doing that. I have a track record passing legislation, bringing money back to the district and making sure we put people first.”

She noted that bipartisanship is not about negotiations.

“There’s no negotiating with MAGA,” Nguyen said. “I’m the only one at this table that’s taken on MAGA. I know there’s no negotiations with them. Bipartisanship is about coalition. It’s about bringing people along to get things done.”