In his own words: Dan Koh, candidate for Congress

Dan Koh of Andover is one of two candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot for U.S. House in the 6th Congressional District, which includes all of Cape Ann. The Democrat faces Republican Micah Quinney Jones of Essex.

The Cape Ann Current sent both candidates the same questionnaire with the same deadline, 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. Koh's responses appear below in quotation marks, as he wrote them. The Current reports each candidate's positions and does not endorse anything a candidate says. Jones's answers ran Oct. 12, and both candidates appear side by side in our voter guide. You can read the exact questions every candidate received.

Campaign website: kohforcongress.com

About the candidate, in his words

“I’m Dan Koh, the Democratic nominee for Congress in Massachusetts’ 6th District. Born and raised in Andover, where I now live with my wife and our two young children, I stand on the shoulders of my immigrant family from Korea and Lebanon, who were welcomed by the same community I’m running to represent. I’m running to defend our democracy, protect our rights, lower costs for working families, and hold the Trump administration accountable.”

On the issues

Cape Ann. What is the most important thing you would do in this office for Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea?

“From getting to work and finding a place to live to protecting our coastline and supporting our working waterfront, my plan for the Sixth District will bring the federal investment our communities have been waiting for. I will fight to secure funding to protect our coastline communities by investing in coastal protection, strengthening federal flood resilience programs, and accelerating projects that protect homes, businesses, and historic neighborhoods from rising seas and stronger storms. I will stand up for Gloucester’s fishermen, protect the working waterfront, and invest in the fishing industry through stronger federal support, faster disaster relief, and a seat at the table for commercial fishermen.”

First priority. What is your first priority if elected, and how will voters know whether you delivered?

“When Democrats take back the House, and I believe it’s a matter of when, not if, we need to hold this administration accountable on day one. That means using every tool available, including subpoenaing everyone who enabled this president. We also need to deliver real results on affordability. My plan: no family paying more than $10 a day for child care, no one spending more than 30% of their income on rent or 6% on energy, and no one facing financial ruin because they get sick. That’s why I support Medicare for All. And no child in this district should grow up in poverty. This would save the average MA-06 family over $20,000 a year. Voters should judge me by whether I deliver measurable results that lower costs, protect their rights, and hold those in power accountable.”

The nine ballot questions

Each candidate was asked for a position on every statewide question, with an optional one sentence reason. Koh chose to pass on all nine. His campaign sent this statement by email:

“Dan is focused on listening to voters across the 6th District and thoughtfully considering the ballot questions facing Massachusetts this year.”

Question 1, Public records for the Legislature and Governor: Passed.

Question 2, Union rights for public defender staff: Passed.

Question 3, One open primary, top two advance: Passed.

Question 4, Register to vote on Election Day: Passed.

Question 5, New cap on state tax revenue: Passed.

Question 6, Nature for All Fund: Passed.

Question 7, Single-family homes on smaller lots: Passed.

Question 8, End retail recreational marijuana: Passed.

Question 9, Keep or repeal the 2024 gun law (Yes keeps the law, No repeals it): Passed.

Want to know what each question would do? Our voter guide explains every one, with who is campaigning on each side. The Current does not endorse candidates or ballot questions and does not accept political advertising.

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