Michael J. Connolly

Michael Joseph Connolly (born April 20, 1947 in Boston, Massachusetts) is a former politician who served as Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth from 1979–1994.

This article is about the former Massachusetts State Representative and Secretary of the Commonwealth. For incumbent Massachusetts State Representative, see Mike Connolly (Massachusetts politician).

Michael Joseph Connolly
26th Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
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
Constituency	24th Suffolk District[2]
Personal details
Born	(1947-04-20) April 20, 1947 [2] Boston, Massachusetts[2]
Political party	Democratic[2]
Spouse(s)	Lynda M. Connolly
Children	4
Residence	Roslindale, Boston, Massachusetts
Alma mater	Boston Latin School[2] 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 is currently involved in real estate development.[6]

Family

Connolly is married to Lynda M. Connolly, Chief Justice of the Dedham District Court. They have four children, including Boston City Councilor John R. Connolly.[7]

References

1. O'Neill, Edward B. (1981), 1981–1982 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, p. 22.
2. O'Neill, Edward B. (1981), 1977–1978 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, p. 127.
3. EDWARD B. O'NEILL and ROBERT E. MacQUEEN (1989). 1989–1990 Public Officers of the COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS.
4. Jack Germond and Jules Witcover (March 21, 1978). "Democrats Eyeing Brooke as Vote Target for This Fall". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2009.
5. "MA US Senate – D Primary". Retrieved December 10, 2009.
6. Elana Zak (November 18, 2009). "Work halted at controversial Hillside condo project in Wellesley". Wellesley Townsman. Retrieved December 10, 2009.
7. http://bc.edu/schools/law/alumni/ebrief/features/summer08/feature3/slide6.html

Political offices
Preceded by Paul Guzzi	26th Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth 1979–1994	Succeeded by William F. Galvin