Paul G. Kirk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul G. Kirk
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| United States Senator from Massachusetts |
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| In office September 24, 2009 – February 4, 2010 |
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| Appointed by | Deval Patrick |
| Preceded by | Ted Kennedy |
| Succeeded by | Scott Brown |
| Chair of the Democratic National Committee | |
| In office February 2, 1985 – February 10, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Manatt |
| Succeeded by | Ron Brown |
| Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee | |
| In office June 29, 1983 – February 1, 1985 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Curry |
| Succeeded by | Sharon Pratt |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Paul Grattan Kirk Jr.
January 18, 1938 Newton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Gail Loudermilk
(m. 1974) |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | William Henry O'Connell (great-uncle) Bill Cleary (brother-in-law) |
| Education | Harvard University (BA, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1960–1968 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | United States Army Reserve |
Paul Grattan Kirk Jr. (born January 18, 1938) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Senator for Massachusetts from 2009 to 2010. He was chosen to fill the spot after Senator Ted Kennedy passed away. Before that, from 1985 to 1989, he was the chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Mr. Kirk also helped lead the Commission on Presidential Debates. This group organizes the debates between people running for president. He also chaired the board for the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
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Early Life and School
Paul Kirk Jr. was born in Newton, Massachusetts. He was one of five children. His father, Paul G. Kirk Sr., was a judge in Massachusetts.
Paul Kirk Jr. went to St. Sebastian's School, graduating in 1956. He then studied at Harvard College, finishing in 1960. Later, he earned a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1964. While in college, he joined a program called Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He served in the United States Army Reserve until 1968, reaching the rank of Captain.
Paul Kirk's Career
Paul Kirk Jr. became a lawyer in Massachusetts in 1965. He worked at a law firm and also led his own business advice company called Kirk & Associates, Inc. He also served on the boards of several companies.
He was a trustee for Stonehill College. He also helped lead the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs from 1992 to 2001. This group helps support democracy around the world.
Leading the Democratic Party
From 1969 to 1977, Kirk worked as a special helper for Senator Ted Kennedy. In 1983, he became the treasurer for the national Democratic Party.
In 1985, Paul Kirk was chosen to be the chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The DNC is the main organization for the Democratic Party. Under his leadership, the Democrats won back control of the Senate in the 1986 elections. The Republicans had controlled the Senate since 1980. Kirk stepped down as DNC chairman after the 1988 presidential election.
In 2008, Paul Kirk said he would support Barack Obama to become the Democratic candidate for president.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
In August 2009, Senator Ted Kennedy passed away. This left an empty spot for Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate. A few years earlier, a law had been passed in Massachusetts. This law said that the governor could not choose someone to fill a Senate spot right away. Instead, a special election had to be held months later.
However, Senator Kennedy's death meant that Democrats in the U.S. Senate lost a key vote. They needed 60 votes to pass important laws, like health care reform. Many people felt it was important to have someone fill the Senate spot quickly. Senator Kennedy himself had asked for this change before he died.
So, in September 2009, a new law was passed. This law allowed the governor to choose someone to serve as senator until the special election. Senator Kennedy's family said they wanted Paul Kirk to be the interim senator. On September 23, 2009, news outlets reported this. The next day, Governor Deval Patrick officially chose Paul Kirk. Kirk promised he would not run in the special election himself.
Paul Kirk was sworn into office on September 25, 2009. Some people tried to stop his appointment in court, but a judge allowed it to go forward.
On January 19, 2010, Scott Brown, a Republican, won the special election. He took over the rest of Senator Kennedy's term. Paul Kirk was present when his successor was sworn in on February 4, 2010.
After the Senate
After his time in the Senate, Paul Kirk continued to be involved in politics. He supported Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary elections. He has also written articles for The Boston Globe newspaper.
Personal Life
Paul Kirk Jr. married Gail Loudermilk in 1974. They live in Marstons Mills, Massachusetts.
He is the great-nephew of Cardinal William O'Connell. He is also the brother-in-law of former ice hockey player and coach Bill Cleary.
Images for kids
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Paul Kirk's official photo.
