When Rep. Michael E. Capuano filed his notice of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, he indicated that he would be seeking the 8th District seat in Massachusetts. The odd thing is that Capuano represents the 7th District — it’s his fellow Democrat Stephen F. Lynch who represents the 8th.  

The Ethics Committee member has never faced meaningful opposition and frequently runs unopposed. Lynch also ran unopposed in 2014, so without new district borders there appears to be no reason for Capuano to file in the 8th.  

He filed with the FEC for the 8th District in 2014 as well, but filed correctly with the state. The state’s deadline this year is June 7, and the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth office says no candidates have yet filed.  

Capuano’s district was numbered the 8th until the 2012 redistricting, so in all likelihood this is the result of slipshod paperwork. His campaign could not be reached for comment.  

Nomination papers have been available at the secretary’s office since February 16. To qualify for the Massachusetts ballot, a candidate needs 2,000 valid signatures in the district they are seeking to represent.  

Capuano wouldn’t be the first this cycle to file in the wrong district. Arizona Republican Paul Babeu accidentally filed with the FEC for the 4th District, not his 1st District, and had to file amended statements of candidacy and organization.  

Luckily for Capuano, contributions are based on the cycle, not the race, so his war chest will not be impacted, and the indication of district on the statement of candidacy is mostly for reference.  

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