Dan Koh, a Democratic candidate for Congress in Massachusetts's 6th Congressional District, deleted several Black Lives Matter-era posts from his social media accounts as he wages a campaign to succeed outgoing Rep. Seth Moulton, according to archived versions of the posts preserved by internet archives.
The deleted posts include messages written in May 2020 and April 2021 referencing George Floyd and the racial justice movement that followed his murder at the hands of law enforcement. In one post from May 29, 2020, Koh wrote 'JusticeForGeorgeFloyd.' In another post from the same period, he wrote, 'Pretty sure centuries of systemic racism exemplified by the murder of George Floyd has something to do with the situation,' reacting to a press briefing about riots that had broken out in Minnesota.
Koh worked in the Biden White House before launching his congressional campaign, holding multiple senior roles and advising on infrastructure matters. He also served as chief of staff to the U.S. Department of Labor and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.
The Massachusetts 6th Congressional District seat has been safely Democratic for decades, last going to Moulton with a 69.9% to 35.2% victory over Republican challenger Robert May. Primaries in the state are scheduled for September.
Koh's campaign did not explain why he deleted the posts or whether he views them as inconsistent with his current positions. His campaign website continues to emphasize racial equity as part of his platform, stating that President Trump is 'using the power of the federal government to target people of color at every turn.'
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive groups and Democratic strategists have largely focused on Koh's substantive policy positions rather than his deleted social media history. Campaign spokesperson Olivia Brandon defended Koh's record in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying, 'For years, Dan has spoken up, including on social media and national TV, about the murder of George Floyd and the injustices Black Americans have faced — and as a Member of Congress, he will fight every day against Trump's racist agenda that is trying to strip Black Americans of their rights and freedoms.'
Some progressive commentators have noted that politicians routinely update their social media presence when running for higher office and that this alone does not indicate a shift in core values. Others argue that candidates should be judged on their current positions rather than posts from years ago during an intensely polarized period in American politics.
Massachusetts Democratic voters have generally prioritized issues like healthcare, climate change, and economic inequality over cultural debates around BLM in recent cycles.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican critics and conservative media outlets have highlighted the deleted posts as evidence of political opportunism. Republican candidate Micah Jones, who would face the Democratic nominee in November if Koh wins the primary, has not yet commented on the social media deletions specifically.
National Republicans argue that the episode illustrates a broader pattern among progressive candidates of distancing themselves from positions they held during the Trump administration's first term. Some conservative commentators have pointed to the timing of the deletions, noting they occurred as Koh prepared for a competitive primary and general election campaign in a seat both parties view as increasingly contested at the national level.
The Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC focused on House races, has not issued a formal statement on the matter but historically scrutinizes Democratic candidates' social media histories for use in opposition research.
What the Numbers Show
Massachusetts's 6th Congressional District has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1928. In the most recent congressional race, Seth Moulton won with approximately 69.9% of the vote compared to Republican Robert May's 35.2%. The district includes communities north of Boston such as Salem, Lynn, and Haverhill.
Koh raised approximately $1.2 million in his most recent fundraising quarter according to Federal Election Commission filings, placing him among the better-funded Democratic primary candidates. Polling in the race has shown Koh leading but with a significant portion of voters still undecided ahead of the September primary.
Voter turnout in Massachusetts primaries has averaged 12-15% of registered Democrats in mid-term cycles, making base mobilization and voter enthusiasm critical factors in determining nominees.
The Bottom Line
The deleted posts highlight the challenges candidates face navigating evolving political coalitions and social media legacies. Koh's campaign has not indicated whether he believes his current positions differ from those expressed in the 2020-2021 posts.
If nominated, Koh would enter the general election as a strong favorite in a district that has not elected a Republican to Congress in nearly a century. The episode may energize progressive critics of the Democratic establishment or simply fade as voters focus on kitchen-table issues ahead of November.
What to watch: Whether other primary candidates raise the social media deletions in campaign advertising, how Koh addresses questions about his evolving political positions, and whether national Republicans invest resources in what has historically been an unwinnable seat for their party.