Stephen Lynch (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephen Lynch
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Official portrait, 2019
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts |
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| Assumed office October 16, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Moakley |
| Constituency | 9th district (2001–2013) 8th district (2013–present) |
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 1st Suffolk district |
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| In office May 1, 1996 – October 16, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | William Bulger |
| Succeeded by | Jack Hart |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 4th Suffolk district |
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| In office January 3, 1995 – May 1, 1996 |
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| Preceded by | Paul J. Gannon |
| Succeeded by | Jack Hart |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Stephen Francis Lynch
March 31, 1955 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Margaret Shaughnessy
(m. 1992) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Wentworth Institute of Technology (BS) Boston College (JD) Harvard University (MPA) |
Stephen Francis Lynch (born March 31, 1955) is an American politician. He has served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Massachusetts since 2001. As a Democrat, he represents the 8th congressional district. This area includes the southern part of Boston and many nearby towns.
Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Lynch worked as an ironworker and a lawyer. He also served in both parts of the Massachusetts General Court, which is the state's legislature.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Stephen Lynch was born on March 31, 1955, in South Boston. He grew up with his five sisters in a public housing project. His father was an ironworker, and his mother worked at the post office. Lynch went to St. Augustine Elementary School and South Boston High School. During school breaks, he started working in construction with his father.
After high school in 1973, Lynch became an apprentice ironworker. For six years, he worked on tall buildings and structures across the country. He saw firsthand the importance of worker safety.
Becoming a Union Leader
In the early 1980s, Lynch was elected to the board of the Iron Workers Local 7 union. At age 30, he became the youngest president of the union. While leading the union, he also studied at the Wentworth Institute of Technology. He earned a bachelor's degree in construction management in 1988.
Law School and Legal Career
Lynch then went to Boston College Law School, graduating with a law degree in 1991. After law school, he worked as a lawyer. He often helped people living in housing projects and also represented labor unions. He provided free legal help to many people who needed it.
Serving in Massachusetts Government
Lynch's work as a lawyer and his reputation in the community led him to run for public office.
Massachusetts House of Representatives
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In 1994, Stephen Lynch was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He represented the 4th Suffolk district. As a state representative, he strongly supported his neighborhood. For example, he opposed plans to build a football stadium and an asphalt plant in South Boston.
Massachusetts Senate
In 1995, Lynch won a special election to become a state senator. He represented the 1st Suffolk district. He was reelected several times without opposition. As a state senator, he continued to oppose the football stadium plan. He also worked on issues like nursing home funding and transportation. While serving in the Senate, he earned a master's degree from Harvard University in 1999.
Joining the U.S. House of Representatives
In 2001, Stephen Lynch decided to run for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. The long-time representative for the 9th district, Joe Moakley, was retiring.
First Election to Congress
Lynch won the Democratic primary election on September 11, 2001. Later that year, on October 16, he won the general election. He became the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 9th district. He has been reelected to Congress ever since. In 2013, his district was redrawn and became the 8th district.
Working in Congress
Lynch was sworn into the 107th United States Congress on October 23, 2001. He is known as a moderate Democrat in Massachusetts. He often votes in a way that supports workers and aims to bring manufacturing jobs to his district. He is a co-founder of the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus.
He has served on important committees, including the Financial Services Committee and the Oversight and Accountability Committee.
Key Policy Views
- Economy and Finance: Lynch has focused on trade policy. He has supported efforts to help the economy and regulate financial markets.
- Healthcare: He supports healthcare reform. He voted against the Affordable Care Act in 2010. He felt it did not do enough to control healthcare costs.
- Social Issues: Lynch supports same-sex marriage. He has voted for the Equality Act. He also supports expanding charter schools in Massachusetts.
- Foreign Policy: He has traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan many times to check on reconstruction projects. He supported the Iraq War authorization in 2002. He also supports lifting the U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba.
U.S. Senate Campaigns
In 2013, Lynch ran for the U.S. Senate in a special election. He aimed to fill the seat left by John Kerry. However, he lost the Democratic primary election to Ed Markey.
Personal Life
Stephen Lynch is married to Margaret Shaughnessy. They married in 1992. They live in South Boston with their daughter and a niece.
Images for kids
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Lynch in 1995
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The ninth congressional district of Massachusetts in the 109th Congress. This district, which was the 9th from 2001 to 2013, includes parts of Boston and its southern suburbs like Brockton and Quincy.
