Michael J. Connolly
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Joseph Connolly (born April 20, 1947, in Boston, Massachusetts) is a former politician who served as Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth from 1979 to 1994.
Michael Joseph Connolly | |
|---|---|
| |
| 26th Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts | |
| In office 1979–1994 | |
| Governor | Edward J. King Michael Dukakis Bill Weld |
| Preceded by | Paul H. Guzzi |
| Succeeded by | William F. Galvin |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives[1] | |
| In office 1973[1]–1978[1] | |
| Preceded by | Francis X. Coppinger |
| Succeeded by | District eliminated |
| Constituency | 24th Suffolk District[2] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 20, 1947 [2] |
| Party | Democratic[2] |
| Spouse | Lynda M. Connolly |
| Children | 4 (including John) |
| College of the Holy Cross[2] New England School of Law[2] | |
| Occupation | Attorney Real Estate Developer |
An attorney by profession, Connolly was first elected to public office in 1973 when he won a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[3]
He was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Edward Brooke's United States Senate seat in 1978,[4] but he dropped out of the race and instead ran for and was elected Secretary of the Commonwealth. Connolly ran for the Senate again in 1984, losing the nomination to Lieutenant Governor John Kerry.[5]
Connolly served on the Boston Licensing Board, having been appointed in the late 1990s by Governor Paul Cellucci. He served until 2011, when Governor Deval Patrick declined to re-appoint him to continue on the board.[6]
Connolly thereafter was involved in real estate development.[7]
Family
Connolly is married to Lynda M. Connolly, former Chief Justice of the Dedham District Court.[8] They have four children, including former Boston City Council member John R. Connolly.[9]
