Edward J. King facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edward J. King
66th Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 4, 1979 – January 6, 1983
Lieutenant	Thomas P. O'Neill III
Preceded by	Michael Dukakis
Succeeded by	Michael Dukakis
Executive Director of Massachusetts Port Authority
In office 1963–1974
Preceded by	John F. O'Halloran
Succeeded by	David W. Davis
Personal details
Born	Edward Joseph King (1925-05-11)May 11, 1925 Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	September 18, 2006(2006-09-18) (aged 81) Burlington, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Democratic (1977–1985) Republican (1985–2006)
Spouse	Josephine "Jody" King
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy
Battles/wars	World War II

Edward Joseph King (born May 11, 1925 – died September 18, 2006) was an American politician. He served as the 66th Governor of Massachusetts from 1979 to 1983. A governor is the leader of a state government.

King was a member of the Democratic Party until 1985. Then, he joined the Republican Party. He was elected governor in 1978. In 1982, he lost the primary election to Michael Dukakis. A primary election is when voters choose who will represent their party in the main election.

Early Life and Military Service

Edward King was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on May 11, 1925. As a teenager, he worked as a pinsetter in a bowling alley. This job helped him pay for his school.

Near the end of World War II, he joined the United States Navy. He was honorably discharged from the Navy because of a broken ankle.

Edward King's Sports Career

King loved sports and played college football for the Boston College Eagles football team. He played from 1945 to 1947. He finished college at Boston College in 1948.

After college, he played professional football. He played for the Buffalo Bills in 1948 and 1949. He also played for the Baltimore Colts in 1950. In total, he played in 31 professional games.

Working at Massport

After his football career, Edward King studied business. In 1953, he started working for an accounting firm. Later, he became the assistant director and comptroller for the Museum of Science. A comptroller manages an organization's money.

In 1959, King became the comptroller for the new Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). Massport manages ports, airports, and other transportation facilities in Massachusetts. In 1963, he became Massport's executive director. This meant he was in charge of the whole organization.

Improving Logan Airport

During King's time as executive director, Logan International Airport became a very modern airport. They improved the runways and terminals. They also built the Volpe International Terminal (Terminal E). Under King's leadership, Massport went from losing money (a deficit) to making money (a surplus).

However, some people criticized King. They said he did not listen to the people living near the airport. For example, he allowed the destruction of Wood Island Park. This park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Critics also said that the airport's success was mostly due to the new jet age, not just King's work.

Massport also became known for giving jobs and gifts to politicians' friends. They also gave contracts without asking other companies to bid for them.

Leaving Massport

King often disagreed with the Massport Board of Directors. They wanted him to ask them before starting big projects. On November 21, 1974, the board voted to fire King.

Leading the New England Council

After leaving Massport, King became the president of the New England Council. This group is like a Chamber of commerce for businesses in New England. It helps businesses grow.

In this role, he worked to help businesses. He tried to get the government to make fewer environmental rules for businesses. He also worked to bring a national solar energy research center to New England.

Becoming Governor of Massachusetts

On October 25, 1977, Edward King announced he wanted to become Governor. He was a conservative politician. This means he believed in less government spending and more individual freedom.

He supported several ideas:

• Bringing back the death penalty.
• Drilling for oil in the ocean.
• Using more nuclear power.
• Doing more research on solar energy.
• Having fewer rules for businesses.
• Raising the drinking age to 21.

King was able to raise a lot of money for his campaign. This was because many businesses supported him. He spent his money on TV and radio ads. In September 1978, he won the Democratic primary election. Then, he won the main election in November.

King's Time as Governor

As governor, King made several changes. He froze property taxes, which meant they would not increase. He also reduced state spending on social programs. He worked to help businesses and farms in Massachusetts.

He also supported mandatory minimum sentences for crimes. This meant judges had to give certain sentences for certain crimes. He also signed a law to bring back the death penalty in Massachusetts. However, the state's highest court later said this law was against the constitution.

President Ronald Reagan called King his "favorite Democratic governor." King even supported Reagan in the 1984 presidential election.

Reelection Campaign

In 1982, King wanted to be governor for a second term. But there were problems in the Massachusetts Revenue Department. This department collects taxes. These problems made his campaign difficult.

His main opponent was Michael Dukakis, who had been governor before King. Dukakis won the Democratic party's support at their convention. A poll in June showed that Dukakis had much more support than King.

Tax Department Issues

A state tax examiner named Stanley J. Barczak was arrested for taking a bribe. He claimed there was a lot of corruption in the tax department. He agreed to help the state's Attorney General with the investigation.

Barczak had worked for King's 1978 campaign. He was hired as a tax examiner in 1981. King's old high school friend, John F. Coady, was the deputy revenue commissioner. Coady was also involved in the investigation.

The Revenue Commissioner, Joyce Hampers, at first refused to give tax records to the Attorney General. She said it was a "fishing expedition." Governor King helped make a deal. They agreed to turn over records for 195 people suspected of tax fraud.

Hampers also made accusations against the chief prosecutor. She said he was trying to help Dukakis's campaign. Governor King told her to stop making public statements. The scandal hurt King's campaign.

Dukakis focused on the tax department issues. He also called King a "cheerleader for Reaganomics." This meant King supported President Reagan's economic ideas. Dukakis won the primary election and became the Democratic candidate.

After Being Governor

After his term, Governor King joined a public relations company called Hill & Knowlton. In 1985, he changed his political party to the Republican Party. He thought about running for governor again in 1986 as a Republican.

He lived in both Massachusetts and Florida until he passed away. His wife, Josephine, died in 1995. Edward King had two sons, Timothy and Brian. His brother, Paul, was a judge in Massachusetts.

Images for kids

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  King with Anthony Cortese