Top Tax-Code Writer in U.S. House Survives Progressive Challenge

Ways and Means Chair Neal beats Ocasio-Cortez-backed candidate
Party insurgent sought to score win in Massachusetts primary

Richard Neal speaks at a campaign event in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Aug. 30.Photographer: Simon Simard/Bloomberg

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By Billy House

September 2, 2020 at 1:47 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal fended off a challenger backed by a progressive coalition, led by first-term Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to win in the Massachusetts Democratic primary.

The head of the tax-code writing committee since 2019 defeated Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse to run for re-election in November in the solidly Democratic 1st Congressional District in the central and western portion of the state with no Republican opponent.