Dan Koh

Koh was born in Andover, Massachusetts. He received his bachelor's degree from Harvard College and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. As of July 2026, Koh was the host of The People’s Cabinet podcast and a former chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Labor and senior aide in former President Joe Biden's (D) administration.[1][2] His other professional experience included working as chief of staff for Arianna Huffington, the editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post, working as chief of staff for Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, and advising Boston Mayor Tom Menino.[3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Dan Koh is a former White House Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff to U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh. Previously, he served as Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, helping lead city government through major challenges including housing, transportation, and economic development. The son of Korean and Lebanese immigrants, Dan lives in his hometown of Andover with his wife and two children and is running for Congress to fight for working families, defend democracy, and stand up to Donald Trump.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

1. Protecting Democracy and Standing up to Trump

Donald Trump is abusing the power of the presidency to enrich himself, punish his critics, and undermine the institutions that make our democracy work. I’m running for Congress because I believe this is a defining moment for our country. We need leaders who will stand up to corruption, defend the Constitution, protect voting rights, and ensure that no one, not even a president, is above the law.2. Building an Economy That Works for Everyone

Too many families are working harder than ever and still struggling to afford housing, healthcare, childcare, and everyday expenses. I’m running to make life more affordable by expanding access to healthcare, building more housing, strengthening unions, and creating economic opportunities that allow working people to get ahead. Everyone who works hard should have a fair shot at building a good life.3. Delivering Results

I’ve spent my career solving problems and delivering results, from helping lead Boston City Hall to serving in the White House and Department of Labor. I’ve seen firsthand how government can make people’s lives better when it focuses on real challenges and real solutions. In Congress, I’ll bring that experience to fight climate change, protect reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ rights, invest in education and transportation, and help build a stronger future for the next generation.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about protecting democracy, expanding economic opportunity, and ensuring that government works for everyone. My priorities include making healthcare affordable and accessible, addressing the housing crisis, strengthening unions and workers' rights, combating climate change, protecting reproductive freedom, advancing racial justice, defending LGBTQ+ rights, improving public education, reducing gun violence, and investing in transportation infrastructure. As a father of two young children, I am especially focused on building a country that is safer, more affordable, and more hopeful for the next generation.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I am honored to have earned the support of labor organizations, local elected officials, community leaders, and advocates from across Massachusetts. A complete and regularly updated list of endorsements is available on my campaign website.

Campaign websiteKoh's campaign website stated the following:Fighting Trump's CorruptionThe Sixth District deserves a leader who will refuse to let Trump trample our Constitution and send masked ICE agents to murder our neighbors. I’m ready to fight back against this administration on Day One and deliver results for families.Trump is the most corrupt politician this country has ever seen.He enriched himself with his Trump-branded meme coin, enriched his family through back door deals, and his hand-picked Supreme Court nominees granted him complete immunity from criminal prosecution.It is up to Democrats to stand up to him and restore the public’s belief in the fact that government officials should have integrity and use their power to bring attention to Trump’s wrongdoings — not make themselves and their family members richer.I am not afraid to bring the fight to MAGA directly.From debating Trump supporters like Scott Jennings on CNN to appearing on Fox News Sunday, Democrats need to show up everywhere to present fact-based arguments about this administration — and what we’re going to do to fix this mess.This is how we ultimately move the needle and deliver for American families.Protecting DemocracyTrump and his allies are an existential threat to our democracy and it’s up to all of us to stand up to this Administration. We can safeguard our democracy by removing money from politics and protecting voter rights.I will never accept money from corporate PACs.I refuse to take corporate PAC money – during the campaign and once elected – and will be a steadfast champion for cleaning up our democracy. As a Congressman, I will vote for the Democracy for All Amendment, which will overturn Citizens United and remove the disproportionate power of dark money in politics. I will answer to you, not to corporations.We need to stop Members of Congress from enriching themselves through insider trading.Members of Congress should serve their constituents, not their bottom line. I will vote to ban stock trading in Congress.We need to make voting easier, not harder in America.I am in favor of the Freedom to Vote Act, which would expand early voting access, mandate mail-in ballots in every state, implement automatic voter registration as well as same-day voter registration and online voter registration, and make sure that voting lines do not last longer than 30 minutes, among many other protections.By rejecting corporate PAC money, banning stock trading, and instituting common-sense reforms that increase voter turnout, I will fight to protect our democracy.Abolish Trump's ICEI am the proud parent of two German-Irish-Italian-Lebanese-Korean-American kids, and I want them to grow up in a country that celebrates its diversity. My family came to this country from Korea and Lebanon in search of a better life. That American Dream story is one that allowed my family to thrive in America – and one that is under threat under this administration.Across the Sixth District, the immigrant families that are a vital part of our economy, schools, and communities are under attack. Donald Trump is terrorizing families, ignoring due process, and promoting cruel policies that pit neighbors against one another. Democrats cannot just issue statements while communities are torn apart — we must fight back.We need a full overhaul of our broken immigration system through comprehensive legislation.At the border, that means hiring immigration judges and asylum officers to humanely and efficiently process claims, not shackling people and deporting them without due process.I also strongly oppose attacks on legal pathways to citizenship and support expanding new avenues for immigration.Immigration is not a zero-sum game. It is central to who we are as a nation.Winning Back Our CountryDemocrats must take back the White House in 2028 and bring level-headed decision-making back to the presidency. In order to win, we need to take our fight to MAGA directly.We must make our case everywhere – because we have a great case to make.Since the start of the Second Trump administration, I have been actively challenging MAGA’s belief that Trump’s policies make our country better, using facts drawn upon my experience in government, not on hyperbole that doesn’t move the needle.From debating MAGA stalwart Tomi Lahren to appearing on Fox News Sunday, I am not afraid to advocate for Democrats in front of audiences who disagree with me, because it is the only way we win back hearts and minds.Trump’s disinformation campaign is a threat to all of us.It is difficult to break through in today’s media environment with the constant stream of disinformation coming from the White House. I built my online platform, The People’s Cabinet, to bring fact-based arguments to counter the blatant lies that come from the Trump administration and present a bold democratic vision for the future. When we bring audiences facts about how Trump is responsible for raising costs and propose concrete, alternative policy options from Democrats, we will win voters back.HealthcareNo one should have to go bankrupt because they get sick. I support universal healthcare – and a Medicare for All system that enrolls all Americans by default and preserves private insurance if desired.I know what we need to take steps to get there – and that Americans need immediate relief from high healthcare costs. Everyone deserves affordable care and treatment. Families in the U.S. shouldn’t have to choose between visiting a doctor and paying for groceries.I’m in favor of common sense reforms that lower the cost of prescription drugs and bring down costs for Americans, as we did in the Biden administration by allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and capping insulin costs for seniors at $35. We also desperately need to reinstate the ACA subsidies that millions of Americans are reliant upon.In the wealthiest country in the world, we cannot let our neighbors live without something as essential as quality healthcare.Affordable HousingHome ownership has become out of reach for so many Americans, especially in the Sixth District. Housing will become more affordable if we prioritize building more homes that people can actually afford.I will support legislation that makes it easier for people to secure permits needed to build additional housing, while also being mindful of environmental protection.We must build upon the work done in the Biden Administration to make housing more affordable.I will support expanding the low-income housing credit to incentivize greater investment in additional affordable housing units in the district.We need to ensure that our seniors are able to age-in-place, which is why I will advocate for zoning changes that permit for smaller and more affordable housing options, granting seniors the opportunity to downsize without leaving their community and family behind.I will draw upon my experience at all levels of government to collaborate with state and local officials to create an ecosystem that allows for a thoughtful growth in housing stock across the Sixth.I know how to make homeownership attainable again — as your Congressman, I will work to make that happen.Strengthening UnionsAs the former Chief of Staff to Secretary Marty Walsh in the Department of Labor, I understand that when we bring unions to the table, workers and businesses win.I will always fight to ensure that unions are being fairly represented, and that we continue to expand opportunities for good-paying, union-backed jobs throughout the district.I will stand by unions as they are negotiating for fair contracts.If elected, I would be a champion of the PRO Act.When unions do well, so do businesses.Climate ChangeClimate change is one of the greatest threats we face, and coastal communities on the North Shore are already feeling its effects. As the father of a 5 and a 3 year-old, it is personal to me that the District has the resources it needs to face this threat.As a member of Congress, I will introduce legislation that reinstates the vast benefits present in the Inflation Reduction Act.Over three million families received $8.4 billion in tax credits to make their homes more energy efficient.Electric Vehicle Tax Credits saved Americans $600 million on clean vehicle purchases.The American Climate Corps trained and employed tens of thousands of Americans with good-paying jobs that worked to keep our lands pristine and our air and water clean.We must re-join the Paris Climate Accords and work with local partners to ensure climate readiness as a first priority.We must support our district’s fishermen.Climate change creates an existential threat to fishermen’s livelihoods. I will work with our district’s fish industry to ensure that their jobs are protected and support our coastal towns and cities in ensuring that our coastlines are resilient.A clean energy future means clean energy jobs and affordable energy.Fighting climate change also means creating good-paying union jobs here in the Sixth District.Renewable energy will boost our country’s independence and can help families across the Sixth lower their utility bills and putting more money in your pocket.We must continue the clean energy transition, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and leave future generations a world where they can thrive.Reproductive RightsThe Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade was an outrage. My daughter is growing up in a country where she has less say over her body than my mother did.Every person should have the ability to make decisions about their own body, no matter what state they live in or what ZIP code they call home.When we win back the House, I will support legislation, such as the Women’s Health Protection Act, that codifies the abortion protections once enforced by Roe.Reproductive freedom is a fundamental right, and I will fight tirelessly to defend it.Racial JusticeWhile we worked to fight systemic racism in the Biden administration, President Trump is using the power of the federal government to target people of color at every turn.We cannot limit our response to only the most visible abuses, such as unlawful ICE operations or the deployment of the National Guard.We must confront every action that systematically erodes justice and equality in American life, from attacks on fair housing and labor protections to efforts that undermine public education, environmental justice, and civil rights enforcement.EducationA strong public education system is essential to a strong democracy.Our schools must be properly funded, and I oppose the Trump’s cuts to education that leave students and teachers behind – especially those students that need additional support.I support raising teacher pay and ensuring educators receive the benefits they deserve. Our classrooms work best when they are inclusive, and I will fight back against conservative attacks on DEI programs and efforts to tie federal funding to discriminatory policies.Keeping students safe also means passing comprehensive gun violence prevention laws so schools remain places of learning, not fear.Gun SafetyI am the parent of two young children, and it is horrifying that active shooter drills have become a part of American childhood. The loss of any life to gun violence is unacceptable.I was proud that we passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in the Biden Administration, but that was only a first step.Massachusetts has shown that strong and common-sense gun safety laws save lives, and we need to bring that approach nationwide.I support an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, and red flag laws.I will not stop working until every family is safe from gun violence.I am proud to have earned the 2026 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction, in recognition of our commitment to gun violence prevention and commonsense gun safety measures. This designation tells supporters, volunteers, and voters across the country that I'm committed to reducing gun violence and will make public safety and responsible gun policy a priority in office.LGBTQ+ RIGHTSI deeply believe that government must work especially hard for those who have been pushed aside, including LGBTQ+ Americans across the Sixth District.I stand with the LGBTQ+ community in the fight for equality and safety.I support marriage equality, oppose discrimination in all its forms, and will fight to ensure transgender Americans have access to healthcare, education, and safe, welcoming communities.I was honored to serve in the most pro LGBTQ+ administration in American history, and I will carry that commitment with me into Congress. Every American deserves the freedom to live openly, safely, and with dignity.TransportationI am proud of the work we accomplished in the Biden Administration passing the bipartisan infrastructure law, committing over a trillion dollars to modernize roads, bridges, and transit systems across the country. But the work is far from over.We must keep investing in public transportation by giving local governments the resources they need to expand and maintain safe, reliable, and affordable transit.In the Sixth District, public transit is essential for workers, students, and seniors alike.I will fight relentlessly for legislation that funds new transit infrastructure that will help unlock economic development and more affordable housing in Lynn and across the District, and strongly oppose efforts to cut mass transit funding from the Highway Trust Fund. Defunding transit hurts working people in cities and smaller communities alike.Investing in public transportation helps everyone get ahead.— Dan Koh's campaign website (July 7, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Campaign website

Koh's campaign website states the following:

Expanding Access to Quality Healthcare

Fight for universal healthcare coverage and resist Trump’s attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act

Advocate for a strong public option and other ways to strengthen the ACA

Support proposals, including a single-payer system, that expand everyone’s access to quality, affordable healthcare

Combat the opioid epidemic by increasing funding for intervention and recovery programs

Strengthen Medicare and Medicaid

Protect a woman’s right to choose, increase access to women’s healthcare, and support Planned Parenthood

Building an Economy that Works for Everyone

Advance an economic agenda where everyone can earn a living wage and has the opportunity to get ahead

Fight for a $15 minimum wage

Promote small businesses entrepreneurship

Support equal pay for equal work

Recruit new businesses to areas in need of economic development

Make available affordable childcare and paid family leave

Create jobs by investing in our infrastructure and fixing roads, bridges, and public transit

Invest in proper job-skills training and pathways to prepare for upcoming changes in the labor market brought by new technology

Investing in our Future

Promote universal, high-quality pre-k

Make college affordable and reduce student debt

Support a strong public education system

Focus on STEM education

Defending American Values

Protect democratic norms, the integrity of our electoral system and the rule of law

Fight for gender equality and work to end sexual harassment

Champion equality and respect for all people, regardless of race, gender identity ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion

Defend DACA and enact a comprehensive, fair, and inclusive immigration policy with a pathway to citizenship

Restore America’s leadership in the international community to promote peace and prevent nuclear proliferation and terrorism

Pass common-sense measures to prevent gun violence like an assault weapons ban and comprehensive background checks

Enact comprehensive campaign finance reform and expand voting rights

Keeping our Promises

Protect Social Security for seniors

Fix VA healthcare and assist veterans re-entering the workforce

Support families of servicewomen and men deployed overseas

Protecting our Environment

Cut greenhouse gas emissions and assert America’s commitment to combat climate change

Support development of renewable energy

Prepare communities for the impacts of climate change

Making Government Work Better

Use new technology to make government more responsive, ensure taxpayer dollars go further, and serve constituents better

Use data-driven approaches to hold government accountable

Bring people together to get stuff done and fight for our shared values[4]

—Dan Koh’s campaign website (2018)[5]