U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern is wrapping up his 13th term in the U.S. House, but after nearly 26 years representing the 2nd Congressional District, he says he hasn’t tired of the job.

McGovern, 64, the ranking member of the House Rules Committee, described it as “the traffic cop of Congress; all legislation goes through the Rules Committee. So I get a chance to put my fingerprints on everything.”

He also serves on the House Agriculture Committee and co-chairs the Congressional Human Rights Commission.

McGovern said he is running again because he believes he has the experience to get things done and a track record of success in the district. The election is Nov. 5.

“I’m part of the community. I care about making it the best that it can be, and I’m working to improve the lives of the people of the 2nd Congressional District,” he said. “But at this moment, I’m also working to protect our democracy and our freedom at home, which, at least in my opinion, is clearly under threat.”

McGovern said he is proud of helping the district as a whole.

“I take pride in the fact that I am delivering for all of my communities,” he said.

McGovern cited his work on behalf of veterans, which includes helping to save the Northampton VA from closure and getting federal funds to help build a new VA outpatient clinic on the UMass campus in Worcester.

The Democratic incumbent has lived in the district — which wends its way from Blackstone on the Connecticut border to Northfield on the Vermont border — all of his life.

“I was born and raised in Worcester,” he said. “My father owned a package store, my mother was a dance teacher. I went to local public schools until high school, when I went to Worcester Academy.”

After graduating high school in 1977, McGovern attended American University in Washington, D.C., where he earned at bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in public administration.

“I worked my way through college working for Sen. George McGovern (no relation) of South Dakota,” he explained. “I then went to work for Congressman Joe Moakley of South Boston. In 1996, I ran for Congress and pulled off an upset victory over a two-term Republican incumbent, Peter Blute, and I’ve been in Congress ever since.”

McGovern said he wants to work to ensure a steady rebound for the economy, to make college more affordable and continue investing in infrastructure.

The Worcester Democrat also takes pride in his office’s constituent services.

“Over the years, we’ve helped countless thousands of individuals who have needed assistance with everything from losing their passport to landing a small business loan,” he said. “To me, it’s not just talking the talk, it’s walking the walk — it’s delivering for my constituents. When I first ran for office it was because I wanted to help people, and I still want to help people in every single city and town I represent.”

McGovern is being challenged for reelection by independent Cornelius Shea of Shrewsbury.

“I’ve never met him,” said McGovern, “but I’ve seen his webpage. He may be running as an independent but he’s very much in line with Donald Trump. He’s supporting Donald Trump, and he seems to be hoping that the MAGA Trumpers here will help elevate his campaign. But I don’t know a single thing that he’s done. But if you think Donald Trump should be president, I’m probably not your candidate.”

Asked if he stands by his support of Massachusetts’ ballot Question 2, which would do away with the requirement that students pass the MCAS exam to graduate from high school, McGovern said he does.

“I have two sisters who are schoolteachers,” he said, “and they relay to me the anxiety that students and their families have all around this one test. Look, Question 2 says you can still administer the MCAS test, and I have no problem with that. But having it as a requirement that you have to score well on it in order to graduate — I mean, you’re putting all your focus on one test? I think education has to be about a lot more than one test. Use it an assessment to identify trends, but to insist that it’s a requirement for graduation I personally think is wrong.”

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.