A retired U.S. Army colonel and Department of Veterans Affairs clinician has launched a campaign for Congress in Massachusetts.

Gary Grossi, a longtime Acton resident, announced that he will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Westford) in the 2026 election in Massachusetts’ Third Congressional District.

Massachusetts’ Third Congressional District includes communities across the Merrimack Valley and parts of northeastern Massachusetts. The district includes cities such as Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill, along with surrounding towns in Middlesex and Essex counties.

Grossi served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for 29 years, including a deployment to Iraq. During his military career, he held leadership roles including deputy commander of nursing services at the 399th Combat Support Hospital, where he helped oversee medical operations supporting American service members.

After leaving the military, Grossi worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs, helping veterans struggling with substance abuse and psychiatric challenges.

Grossi said those experiences motivated him to run for Congress.

“After nearly three decades in the Army and working with veterans at the VA, I have seen firsthand the toll that addiction and mental health struggles are taking on our nation’s heroes,” Grossi said in a press release. “Many of the men and women who fought for our country are now fighting a different battle at home, and too often they feel like they do not have a voice in Washington.”

Campaign Focus: Fentanyl and Addiction Crisis

Grossi said the opioid and fentanyl crisis in the Merrimack Valley and surrounding communities pushed him to enter the race.

“Our communities are suffering from a wave of deadly drugs that is destroying families and devastating towns across this district,” Grossi said. “This crisis is not abstract to me. I have seen its impact up close through my work with veterans and their families.”

Grossi criticized Washington’s response to the drug crisis and said stronger action is needed.

“While our district continues to struggle with addiction and overdose deaths, Lori Trahan has done little to confront the reality of this crisis,” Grossi said. “We need leadership that is willing to take this issue seriously and fight to protect our communities.”

Challenge to Incumbent Lori Trahan

Trahan, a Democrat first elected in 2018, currently represents Massachusetts’ Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Grossi said he will focus on strengthening border security, stopping the flow of fentanyl into the United States, and expanding support for veterans and others struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.

“Our veterans and our communities deserve a voice in Congress that understands these issues from real experience,” Grossi said. “I am running to make sure their voices are heard.”

Grossi said he plans to spend the coming months meeting voters across the district and discussing the challenges facing families and communities in Massachusetts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Gary Grossi?

Gary Grossi is a retired U.S. Army colonel, longtime Acton resident, and former Department of Veterans Affairs clinician.

What office is he running for?

Grossi is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Massachusetts’ Third Congressional District.

Who currently represents the district?

Democratic Rep. Lori Trahan has represented Massachusetts’ Third Congressional District since 2019.

What issues is Grossi focusing on?

Grossi says his campaign will focus on addressing the fentanyl crisis, strengthening border security, and expanding support for veterans and people struggling with addiction.

What areas are in Massachusetts’ Third Congressional District?

The district includes communities across the Merrimack Valley and the surrounding areas of Massachusetts.