After Nearly a Decade Unopposed, Connolly Faces First Reelection Challenge

State Representative Mike L. Connolly has represented the 26th Middlesex District, which covers parts of Cambridge and Somerville, for nearly a decade without facing a reelection challenger — until now.

Harvard Kennedy School student Neil S. Miller, a political newcomer, launched his bid to unseat Connolly in March, arguing that Beacon Hill has failed to move aggressively enough to address the state’s affordability crisis. Miller has pointed to housing reforms in Connecticut and Maine as evidence that Massachusetts has fallen behind neighboring states.

Miller became involved with pro-development advocacy group A Better Cambridge, serving as campaign chair of the group’s independent-expenditure PAC, which produces campaign materials supporting its endorsed candidates, until stepping down to launch his own bid for Beacon Hill. Though ABC has not endorsed candidates in the 2026 primary, Miller has been endorsed by ABC co-chair Justin N. Saif ’99.

Miller has centered much of his campaign on increasing the state’s affordable housing stock — citing Cambridge’s multifamily zoning overhaul as a particular example of a local policy that could boost housing production if implemented at the state level. And he has criticized Connolly for not displaying the same leadership on the issue.

Meanwhile, Connolly has leaned on his record in office. Since taking office, he has sponsored legislation for an eviction and foreclosure moratorium during the Covid-19 pandemic and backed the 2024 Affordable Homes Act, which authorized a social housing pilot program.

Throughout his reelection campaign, he has also pointed to the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget, which includes a number of housing-related provisions he advocated for, including measures to speed up permitting and address variances.

But the two have remained largely aligned in their calls for greater transparency and accountability on Beacon Hill, with both supporting an audit of the Legislature. At a July forum, Connolly and Miller each rated the legislature a “C-” on transparency and expressed support for rules making committee bills public and requiring advance notice of hearings — as well as a ballot measure that would improve access to public records.

Connolly has secured the backing of a broad list of state and local elected officials, including three state senators and two state representatives. In Cambridge, City Councilors Ayah Al-Zubi ’23, Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, Catherine “Cathie” Zusy, and Patricia M. “Patty” Nolan ’80 have all supported Connolly’s campaign, as have School Committee Chair David J. Weinstein and Vice Chair Caitlin E. Dube ’05.

Miller has secured a narrower slate of endorsements, including Cambridge City Councilors Marc C. McGovern and E. Denise Simmons, former School Committee member Manikka Bowman, and a number of local housing advocates.

While candidates in other contested primaries across the state have raised six-figure sums, fundraising for the 26th Middlesex race has remained far lower — and evenly matched.

Connolly had roughly $51,000 in his campaign account when Miller announced his challenge and has since raised more than $26,500. Miller has raised almost $27,000 and spent more than $10,000 of it.

Miller committed early in his campaign to refuse donations from PACs and lobbyists, and all donations so far have come from individuals. He has seen a show of support from Harvard affiliates, including several of his Kennedy School classmates, who collectively donated about $1,200.

Still, almost half of Miller’s donations come from out-of-state donors, while only 5 percent of Connolly’s do. Almost 40 percent of Connolly’s donations come from within the 26th Middlesex District.

Miller, a former federal data scientist, has also drawn support from the technology, finance, law, and consulting sectors — with roughly 37 percent of his donors listing occupations in those fields, compared with roughly 13 percent of Connolly’s.

Roughly 14.5 percent of Connolly’s financial support has come from PACs, including the Boston Teachers Union, Massachusetts Teachers Association, Environmental League of Massachusetts, and several trade unions, such as the SEIU Massachusetts State Council.

Still, Connolly’s donations skew small, with more than half of his donations coming in at less than $50. Miller’s are larger and more concentrated, with nearly a third of his money coming from eight donors who gave the $1,000 maximum.

—Staff writer Uy B. Pham can be reached at [email protected] or on Signal at ubp.88. Follow him on X @uybpham.