Lori Trahan

Lori Trahan
Born	Lori Ann Loureiro 27 10, 1973
Birthplace	Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businesswoman
Education	Georgetown University (BS)
Spouse(s)	David Trahan
Children	5
Website	[Official House website Official site]

Lori Ann Trahan (Template:Née Loureiro; born October 27, 1973) is an American businesswoman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district since 2019. The district encompasses Boston's northwestern suburbs, including Lowell, Lawrence, Concord, and her hometown of Westford. A member of the Democratic Party, Trahan rose to prominence in Massachusetts politics after a career that began as chief of staff to Representative Marty Meehan and later transitioned into the private sector before she launched her own congressional bid. Born in Lowell to a family of Portuguese descent, Trahan was the first in her family to attend college, earning a scholarship to Georgetown University as a student-athlete. She won her seat in a closely contested 2018 Democratic primary that featured ten candidates, prevailing after a recount, and subsequently won the general election to succeed retiring Representative Niki Tsongas. In Congress, Trahan has focused on issues including technology policy, data privacy, children's online safety, and senior care, and has served as Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.

Early Life

Lori Ann Loureiro was born on October 27, 1973, in Lowell, Massachusetts, a former mill city in the Merrimack Valley. She is of Portuguese descent, a heritage rooted in the immigrant communities that have long been a part of Lowell's cultural fabric. Trahan grew up in the Lowell area and later settled in Westford, a nearby suburban community in Middlesex County.

Trahan was a standout student-athlete during her high school years. She attended Lowell High School, where she excelled in athletics, earning recognition that would later lead to her induction into the Lowell High School Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 1991. Her athletic achievements played a significant role in shaping her path to higher education, as she became the first member of her family to attend college, doing so on an athletic scholarship.

Growing up in a working-class family in the Merrimack Valley, Trahan's early experiences informed her later political focus on economic opportunity and access to education. The Lowell area, with its history as an industrial center and its diverse immigrant population, provided the backdrop for Trahan's formative years and her eventual entry into public service.

Education

Trahan attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She received an athletic scholarship to attend the university, making her the first person in her family to pursue a college education. Her time at Georgetown placed her in the nation's capital, where she would eventually begin her career in politics. The university's proximity to Capitol Hill and the broader Washington political ecosystem facilitated Trahan's early exposure to government and public policy, setting the stage for her subsequent work on Capitol Hill as a congressional staffer.

Career

Congressional Staff Work

Following her graduation from Georgetown University, Trahan began her career in politics working for Representative Marty Meehan, who represented Massachusetts's 5th congressional district. She rose through the ranks of Meehan's office to become his chief of staff, a senior position that gave her direct involvement in legislative strategy, constituent services, and the day-to-day operations of a congressional office. In this role, Trahan gained extensive experience in federal policymaking and developed relationships within the Democratic political establishment in Massachusetts and Washington.

Her tenure as chief of staff to Meehan was later cited during her 2018 congressional campaign as evidence of her experience in government and her understanding of the legislative process. The Lowell Sun noted that her run for Congress was "built on experience" gained during her years working for Meehan. Meehan himself left Congress in 2007 to become chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the district was subsequently redrawn, with much of the territory Meehan represented being absorbed into what became Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district.

Private Sector

After leaving Capitol Hill, Trahan transitioned into the private sector, working as a businesswoman. Her experience in both government and business became central themes of her political identity when she later sought elected office. Details of her specific business ventures and roles were highlighted during her 2018 campaign as demonstrating her understanding of economic issues facing the district's residents and businesses.

2018 Congressional Campaign

In 2017, Representative Niki Tsongas, who had held the 3rd district seat since 2007, announced that she would not seek re-election. Trahan launched her campaign for the open seat, entering a crowded Democratic primary field. The race attracted significant attention as ten candidates competed for the Democratic nomination in a district that was considered safely Democratic.

The primary election, held on September 4, 2018, was exceptionally close. Trahan finished first in the initial count, but the narrow margin triggered a recount. After the recount was completed, Trahan was confirmed as the winner of the Democratic primary. The closely fought contest drew extensive media coverage across Massachusetts.

During the primary campaign, Trahan received notable endorsements. The Boston Herald issued an editorial endorsement of Trahan, stating that she had "earned" the newspaper's nod for the 3rd district race. The Boston Globe also endorsed Trahan ahead of the November general election, providing further support for her candidacy as she moved into the general election phase of the campaign.

In the November 2018 general election, Trahan won the seat to succeed Tsongas, becoming the new representative for Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district. She took office on January 3, 2019.

Campaign Finance Inquiry

Shortly after taking office, questions were raised about the source of late-arriving funds that had helped carry Trahan to victory in the tight 2018 primary race. The Boston Globe reported in March 2019 on questions surrounding the financing of her campaign in its final stages. Trahan addressed the matter in media appearances, including an interview on WBZ-TV's Keller at Large in April 2019.

In December 2019, the Boston Globe reported that the House Ethics Committee would further investigate Trahan's campaign finances. The inquiry focused on the source of funds used during the campaign. Trahan's campaign finance records are publicly available through the Federal Election Commission.

Service in Congress

Trahan has served in Congress since January 3, 2019, representing Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district. The district includes the cities of Lowell and Lawrence, along with suburban communities such as Concord and Westford.

Within the House Democratic caucus, Trahan has taken on leadership responsibilities. She was named Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, serving alongside colleagues including Veronica Escobar, Lauren Underwood, and Maxwell Frost, under the leadership of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Trahan assumed this role on November 29, 2023, succeeding Representative Dean Phillips in the position.

Technology and Privacy Policy

Trahan has emerged as a prominent voice on technology policy, data privacy, and children's online safety within the Democratic caucus. In 2025, she undertook efforts to update the Privacy Act of 1974, soliciting input from major technology and civil liberties organizations. The Center for Democracy and Technology submitted formal comments to Trahan regarding reforms to the Privacy Act, focusing on modernizing the law to address contemporary concerns about government access to personal data. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) similarly submitted comments to Trahan's office on efforts to reform the Privacy Act and protect Americans' data from government abuse.

In 2025, Trahan also called for a future Democratic Congress to update a half-century-old law related to the White House's access to data, as reported by Punchbowl News, in a proposal described as a "Democratic plan on DOGE data" — a reference to government data access concerns linked to the Department of Government Efficiency.

Senior Care Legislation

In April 2025, Trahan co-introduced bipartisan legislation with Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania aimed at expanding affordable assisted living and rebuilding the long-term care workforce. The bill, titled the Caring for Our Seniors Act, sought to address challenges in the long-term care sector, including workforce shortages and the affordability of assisted living facilities.

Energy Assistance Advocacy

In November 2025, Trahan joined with Congressman Raul Ruiz of California in leading a letter urging the immediate release of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding amid government shutdowns. The letter called attention to the critical importance of energy assistance for low-income households, particularly during winter months.

Foreign Policy

Trahan has spoken on foreign policy matters, including issuing a statement critiquing U.S. military action in Venezuela. In her statement, she expressed concerns about the implications of the military action and questioned the allocation of resources involved.

Term Limits Controversy

Trahan has faced criticism from advocacy groups over her stance on congressional term limits. In September 2025, U.S. Term Limits, a nonpartisan organization advocating for term limits on elected officials, placed a billboard calling out Trahan for what the organization characterized as breaking a pledge to support congressional term limits. Trahan addressed the criticism during a November 2025 appearance on NBC Boston's @Issue program, where she also discussed immigration policy, the Massachusetts Senate race, and the Democratic Party's prospects for the 2026 elections.

Personal Life

Trahan resides in Westford, Massachusetts, with her husband, David Trahan. Together they have five children. Her family's Portuguese heritage has been a noted aspect of her personal identity, connecting her to the broader Portuguese American community in the Merrimack Valley and across Massachusetts.

Before entering elected office, Trahan's family life and roots in the Lowell area were frequently referenced during her campaigns as evidence of her deep ties to the communities she sought to represent. Her experience as a first-generation college student has also been a recurring element of her public biography, serving as a point of connection with constituents who have faced similar barriers to educational access.

Recognition

Trahan's achievements as a student-athlete at Lowell High School were formally recognized with her induction into the Lowell High School Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 1991.

During her 2018 campaign, Trahan received editorial endorsements from two of Massachusetts's major newspapers. The Boston Herald endorsed her candidacy during the Democratic primary, characterizing her as having earned the newspaper's support among a crowded field of candidates. The Boston Globe subsequently endorsed her ahead of the November general election.

In Congress, Trahan's elevation to Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee reflected her rising standing within the Democratic caucus. The role, which she assumed in November 2023, placed her among the leadership figures responsible for shaping and communicating the Democratic Party's policy agenda in the House of Representatives.

Her work on technology and privacy policy has drawn engagement from major civil liberties and technology organizations, including the Center for Democracy and Technology and the Electronic Privacy Information Center, both of which submitted formal comments to her office in connection with her efforts to reform the Privacy Act of 1974.