Commentary: What America can do about its uncontested elections
Neal’s long tenure and contests against Amatul-Wadud illustrate the article’s argument about the difficulty of challenging incumbents.

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12 stories · 39.8–44.6 · updated Sep 25, 2026
This article1 analysis · Sep 21, 2026
SOURCEArcaMax
Published Sep 15, 2026
tl;dr
A commentary proposes open primaries, larger or multi-member districts, campaign-finance changes and cultural shifts to reduce uncontested elections. It uses Tahirah Amatul-Wadud’s challenges to Richard Neal as an example of how long odds can still broaden participation.
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Richard E. Neal
D · MA-1
Incumbent representative whose long tenure and history of uncontested contests illustrate barriers to electoral competition
PRIMARY SUBJECT
ALSO MENTIONED Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, Former Democratic primary challenger to Richard Neal and interview subject on the difficulty and value of long-shot campaigns
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