Steven Pierce
| Steven Pierce | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 4th Hampden District | |
| In office 1979–1991 | |
| Preceded by | John F. Coffey |
| Succeeded by | Michael Knapik |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 10, 1949 [1] Johnstown, New York [2] |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Union College, 1971 Duke University School of Law, 1974 [3] |
| Profession | Attorney |
Steven D. Pierce is a Massachusetts jurist and politician who currently serves as Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Housing Court.
A graduate of Union College and the Duke University School of Law, Pierce worked as an attorney before being elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1978. He was the House Minority Whip from 1983–87 and from 1987-1991 he was the House Minority Leader.[4]
Pierce sought the Republican nomination for Governor in 1990. Pierce was considered the favorite to win the nomination. He won the vote at the State Convention and led his opponent William Weld in opinion polls by as much as 25%. However, on September 18, he lost the Republican Primary to Weld 61%-39%.[5] Weld later appointed Pierce to the position of Secretary of Communities and Development.[6]
In 1991, Pierce ran in a special election for the Massachusetts's 1st congressional seat. He won the Republican nomination, but lost in the general election to Democrat John Olver.[7]
Pierce rejoined the Weld administration in 1993 as a senior adviser to the governor.[8] In 1994, he was appointed Executive Director of the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (later known as MassHousing).[9] He left MassHousing in 2001 to serve as chief legal counsel to acting governor Jane M. Swift.[10]
Shortly before her term expired, Swift nominated Pierce to be the Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Housing Court. He was confirmed by the Massachusetts Governor's Council 6-2.[11]
Pierce is also an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox; a topic which came up on multiple occasions during Pierce's bid for governor in 1990. In the midst of a debate with Bill Weld, Pierce asked the former governor if he was going to next "be critical of the Boston Red Sox?" After eventually losing the election, the Boston Herald featured a political cartoon of the then jobless Pierce wondering aloud if the Red Sox might be interested in hiring a new manager.
References
- ↑ Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1989-90.
- ↑ Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1989-90.
- ↑ Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1989-90.
- ↑ Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1989-90.
- ↑ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=21250
- ↑ Frank Phillips and Scot Lehigh (January 17, 1993). "Weld out among people so it must be mid-term". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
- ↑ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=51704
- ↑ Frank Phillips and Scot Lehigh (January 17, 1993). "Weld out among people so it must be mid-term". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
- ↑ "Pierce to replace housing director". Boston Globe. December 14, 1994. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
- ↑ Thomas Grillo (August 18, 2001). "Mass. Home Sales Down In 2D Quarter". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
- ↑ Elisabeth J. Beardsley (December 19, 2002). "Swift crony made judge amid furor on Gov's Council". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William G. Robinson |
Minority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives 1987 – 1991 |
Succeeded by Peter Forman |
| Preceded by Iris Holland |
Minority Whip of the Massachusetts House of Representatives 1983 – 1987 |
Succeeded by Lucile Hicks |
| Preceded by Amy Anthony |
Secretary of Communities and Development 1991 – 1991 |
Succeeded by Mary L. Padula |
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