Martha Coakley, Attorney General of Massachusetts:
Martha Coakley was elected Massachusetts Attorney General in November 2006 with 73% of the vote, becoming the first woman to serve in this office.
Coakley, a law-and-order advocate who was a county district attorney and former state women's bar assocation president, has received dozens of accolades including:
- 2006 - Eleanor Roosevelt award, by state Democratic Party
- 2004 - Excellence for Management in Government, by Boston Chamber of Commerce
- 2002 - Presidency of Massachusetts District Attorney Association
- 1998 - Woman of the Year, by University of Massachusetts Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy
U.S. Senate Candidate for Sen. Ted Kennedy's Seat:
On December 8, 2009, Attorney General Coakley won, by more than a 20% margin, the Democratic primary to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Ted Kennedy's passing. In the special election set for January 19, 2010, Democrat Coakley will face Republican Scott Brown, a three-term state legislator.
Martha Coakley was favored to prevail as victor because Massachusetts is a heavily liberal state. But Democratic anger at President Obama's broken campaign promises, particularly on health care reform, have dampened liberal enthusiasms. As a result, Republican Brown has a chance to win Ted Kennedy's Senate seat.
Politics and Martha Coakley:
As of September 23, Attorney General Coakley has received the lion's share of major state political endorsements in the Senate race, including the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, a dozen of key labor unions, and womens' pro-choice groups.
Many state legislators serve as Coakley campaign staff, including Senate President Therese Murray as honorary Finance Chair.
Martha Coakley attended the 2008 Democratic Convention as a committed delegate for Hillary Clinton. Even after Clinton released her delegates to vote for Obama, Coakley was one of the few who tenaciously cast her final vote for Clinton.
Martha Coakley on the Issues:
Martha Coakley is a longtime advocate for equality for all persons, and is known for her support of same-sex marriage. In July 2009, Attorney General Coakley filed the first lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal "Defense of Marriage Act."
Martha Coakley supports healthcare reform which includes a Medicare-like public option, and for the Employee Free Choice Act, which strengthens labor unions negotiations.
Coakley recently "cited the unregulated stock market, predatory lending, and health care reform as the key issues she would be tackling if elected senator."
Martha Coakley's Career Path:
- 1978 - 1985 - Practiced at two Boston law firms
- 1986 - Assistant District Attorney in Lowell district office
- 1987 - 1989 - Special Attorney, U.S. Justice Dep't, Boston Organized Crime Strike Force
- 1989 - Boston District Attorney Office
- 1991 - Head of Child Abuse Prosecution Unit, Boston District Attorney Office
- 1999 - 2007 - Elected District Attorney of Middlesex County, which boasts 54 cities
Personal Data:
- Birth - July 15, 1953 in Pittsfield, MA., the third of five children, to Edward and Phillys Coakley.
- Education - Drury High School in North Adams, MA, graduated 10th in her class in 1971. B.A. from Williams College, 1975. J.D. from Boston University Law School, 1979.
- Family - Married since 1999 to Thomas F. O’Connor, Jr, retired Chief of Police of Cambridge, Massachusetts. No children. Two beloved labrador retrievers, Jackson and Beauregard.
- Faith - Roman Catholic
- Interests - Skiing, reading
