By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
Democratic voters in Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District will decide Sept. 1 whether to nominate U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss for a fourth term or challenger Jason Poulos, who is seeking to unseat the incumbent.
Auchincloss, a Newton Democrat first elected in 2020, and Poulos, of Sherborn, are competing for the Democratic nomination in a district that includes North Attleborough, Attleboro and communities stretching from the Boston suburbs to the South Coast.
Ahead of the primary, the North Star Reporter asked both candidates about affordability, their priorities in Congress, differences within the Democratic Party and how they would advocate for communities such as North Attleborough.
Tackling the cost of living
Both candidates identified affordability as a major concern for residents, but proposed different approaches to housing, healthcare and other household expenses.
“The cost of housing is hollowing out the middle class in Massachusetts,” Auchincloss said. “Americans deserve a new American Dream, in which they get an excellent education by 18, the chance to own a home by 30 and a dignified retirement by 65 years old.”
Auchincloss pointed to federal funding he has helped secure for clean water and municipal infrastructure intended to support housing development, as well as funding for transitional housing projects, such as Ascension House in Attleboro.
At the federal level, he co-chairs the bipartisan Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Caucus and cited his work on the Affordable Homes Act, which he said could lower manufactured housing costs by up to $10,000, along with other legislation intended to encourage housing development.
Auchincloss also pointed to his support for Medicare drug price negotiations, expanded community health centers, lower prescription drug costs, childcare assistance and free school meals.
Poulos said the cost of living is the issue he hears about most from residents.
“No matter what their background, the conversation people here are having is about affordability,” Poulos said. “Our health insurance premiums are over $1,000 more than the national average, we’re living through a housing crisis, and our groceries and gasoline prices continue to skyrocket.”
Poulos supports Medicare for All, which he said would lower health insurance costs and separate health coverage from employment, as well as stronger collective bargaining protections through the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
On housing, he supports zoning changes to allow more affordable housing development and rent freezes to protect tenants. He called for a moratorium on AI data centers until additional regulations are established, citing concerns about environmental impacts and electricity costs.
Priorities in Congress
Auchincloss said his priorities for another term would be defending democracy, supporting Massachusetts’ education and medical research economy and regulating social media companies.
He criticized President Donald Trump’s administration on issues including immigration enforcement and the Iran war, and said Democrats need to regain congressional majorities to provide greater oversight and accountability.
Auchincloss also cited his work on prescription drug costs, healthcare premiums, clinical trials and support for the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. He said research and development directly or indirectly supports 40% of wages paid in Massachusetts.
On social media, Auchincloss said he is focused on holding companies accountable for deepfakes, cyberharassment and harmful use by minors.
“Social media corporations, meanwhile, are attention-fracking our youth and corroding our civil discourse,” Auchincloss said.
Poulos’ three priorities are Medicare for All, reducing the influence of money in elections and ending what he described as “forever wars.”
He said tying health insurance to full-time employment leaves workers dependent on their jobs for coverage and argued that corporate and Political Action Committee (PAC) money can prevent popular policies from advancing. Poulos said he does not accept contributions from corporate PACs or American Israel Public Affairs Committees (AIPAC) and supports overturning the Citizens United decision through the Citizens over Corporations Amendment.
His third priority is focused on military spending.
“We must stop pumping taxpayer dollars into endless wars that serve no clear American interest,” Poulos said.
He added that he would not vote for increased military spending and would support directing more federal resources toward healthcare, housing and other domestic needs.
Making their case
Asked why Democratic voters should choose them, Auchincloss pointed to his legislative record and constituent services.
He said he has held more than 40 town halls this term and visited each of the district’s 35 cities and towns multiple times. He also cited his work on healthcare, medical research and social media regulation.
Auchincloss said he seeks to represent the district’s values while working across party lines when possible.
“Fighting is necessary in today’s Washington,” he said. “So is fixing problems.”
Poulos said his campaign offers differences from Auchincloss in both policy and approach, pointing to his support for Medicare for All, regulating AI, and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and what he described as the “surveillance state.”
He also pointed to his own campaign’s support from labor groups, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
“Voters should ask if they want a representative who speaks for the working class or the donor class,” Poulos said.
Differences within the Democratic Party
Asked to identify an issue on which they disagree with their own party, Auchincloss pointed to pandemic-era school closures.
“Democrats need to acknowledge that we were wrong as a party on our stance on school closures,” Auchincloss said. “But that’s not enough. We also have to have a plan of action for how we’re going to remediate it.”
Auchincloss supports providing one-on-one online tutoring during the school day for first- and second-graders in reading and middle school students in math. His Education Not Endless Scrolling Act would fund the program through a tax on advertising revenue from large technology companies.
Poulos’ disagreement centers on the Democratic Party’s response to the Trump administration.
“Democratic leadership has been far too passive in response to the rising threat of Trump’s fascism,” Poulos said.
He said he would use Congress’ spending authority to defund Trump administration initiatives he believes are unlawful and criticized Auchincloss’ record on government surveillance.
Competing for federal resources
Both candidates were also asked how they would ensure North Attleborough and other communities receive federal funding for infrastructure, public safety and economic development.
Auchincloss pointed to federal funding secured during his time in office for water, transportation, social services and other projects throughout the district, including in North Attleborough.
“Every year, my staff works with local governments to understand and deliver the resources that our cities and towns need most,” Auchincloss said.
He said municipalities can submit Community Funding Project requests to his office for consideration.
Poulos said his campaign recently knocked on more than 150 doors while canvassing in North Attleborough and cited changes to federal programs and tax credits affecting communities throughout the district.
He pointed to funding issues involving wind power development in Somerset and a solar project in Taunton, as well as drought conditions in Franklin and surrounding communities.
“We need a representative who speaks for every city and town in this district and who stands up to the executive to secure support for those most in need,” Poulos said.