1978Final results
1978 election for Massachusetts's 8th District
U.S. House · Massachusetts
Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. (D) won with 74.6% of the vote, defeating William A. Barnstead (R) by 53.7 points.
Thomas P. O'Neill Jr.Democrat · winner
74.6%102,160
William A. BarnsteadRepublican
20.9%28,566
Laura RossCommunist
4.5%6,193
136,928 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1978
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET