The Ballot Brief
Essex County, Massachusetts

Massachusetts House, 18th Essex District

2 candidates are tracked for Massachusetts House, 18th Essex District on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Connor A. Murray and Christopher C. Shepley. Candidate information follows official Essex County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Connor A. Murray (Democratic), Christopher C. Shepley (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Massachusetts House, 18th Essex District. Not on the November ballot: Tram Nguyen, the sitting member per the roster. Nominees were chosen at the September 1, 2026 primary or, where only one candidate qualified for a party, print unopposed; Massachusetts elects this seat by plurality vote. At least one party's nominee here won its primary as a write-in candidate; the Secretary of the Commonwealth's certified November candidate list (not yet published) is the check for that seat's final field. Unenrolled and third-party candidates who qualify by nomination paper are not reflected in primary results and are not yet available from a certified source; check the Secretary of the Commonwealth's November list once published. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

Massachusetts › Essex County › Massachusetts House, 18th Essex District

Connor A. Murray

Democratic

Biography

Connor A. Murray is an Andover native and recent graduate of Iona University who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the 18th Essex District, the seat left open by Rep. Tram Nguyen, according to Andover News. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Christopher C. Shepley

Republican

Top priorities

  • Affordability
  • Fiscal responsibility
  • Local control

Per the Andover News.

Biography

Christopher Shepley, of Andover, pursued a write-in campaign for the Republican nomination in the 18th Essex District after missing ballot qualification, according to Andover News. His campaign has centered on affordability, fiscal responsibility and local control. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Next on your ballotMassachusetts House, 1st Essex District

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Massachusetts House, 18th Essex District in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Massachusetts House, 18th Essex District on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Connor A. Murray and Christopher C. Shepley. Candidate information follows official Essex County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Massachusetts House, 18th Essex District election in Massachusetts?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Massachusetts are on the Massachusetts election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Essex County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Essex County and state election office filings, last verified October 3, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Massachusetts election office, or see the full Essex County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Essex County ballot

27 tracked races in Essex County, Massachusetts. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Massachusetts House, 20th Middlesex DistrictMassachusetts House, 2nd Essex DistrictMassachusetts House, 3rd Essex DistrictSee all 27 Essex County races
Candidate profiles
Connor A. Murray, full profileChristopher C. Shepley, full profileOfficial Massachusetts election office