Stephen Lynch (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephen Lynch
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Official portrait, 2019
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| Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee | |
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Acting
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| In office April 28, 2025 – June 24, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Gerry Connolly |
| Succeeded by | Robert Garcia |
| 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) |
| Website | |
Stephen Francis Lynch (born March 31, 1955) is an American politician, lawyer, and former businessman. He has served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Massachusetts since 2001. As a member of the Democratic Party, he represents a district that includes the southern part of Boston and its nearby suburbs.
Before becoming a politician, Lynch worked as an ironworker, just like his father. He later became a lawyer. He served in the state government of Massachusetts before being elected to the U.S. Congress.
Lynch won a special election in 2001 to represent Massachusetts's 9th district. He has been reelected many times since then. His district is now known as the 8th district. In Congress, he serves on important groups called committees, including the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Stephen Lynch was born in the South Boston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. He was the fourth of six children and grew up with five sisters. His father, Francis, was an ironworker, and his mother, Anne, worked for the post office.
After graduating from high school in 1973, Lynch became an apprentice ironworker. He spent six years working on tall buildings and structures across the country.
In the early 1980s, Lynch was elected president of his ironworkers' union, becoming the youngest president in its history. While working, he also attended the Wentworth Institute of Technology at night. He graduated with a degree in construction management in 1988.
Lynch then decided to study law. He went to Boston College Law School and earned his law degree, called a J.D., in 1991. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer, often helping labor unions and workers. He also earned a master's degree from Harvard University in 1999.
Start in Massachusetts Politics
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Massachusetts House of Representatives
In 1994, Lynch decided to run for a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He won the election and began his career as a state representative.
During his time in the state House, he became known for standing up for his community. He successfully opposed a plan to build a large football stadium on the South Boston waterfront. He also helped stop the construction of an asphalt plant in the area.
Massachusetts Senate
In 1995, Lynch ran for a seat in the Massachusetts Senate in a special election and won. He was reelected three times without any opponents.
As a state senator, he continued to work on local issues. He was named the Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Commerce and Labor. He also worked on a bill to give some Boston residents free access to the Ted Williams Tunnel.
Career in the U.S. House of Representatives
In 2001, Lynch ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress to represent Massachusetts's 9th district. The seat became open after the longtime representative, Joe Moakley, passed away. Lynch won a special election in October 2001 and has served in Congress ever since.
Lynch is known as a moderate Democrat. He often supports policies that help working families and create manufacturing jobs. He is a co-founder of the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus.
Committee Work
A member of Congress serves on committees that focus on specific topics. Lynch's committee assignments include:
- Committee on Financial Services: This committee deals with the nation's economy, banking, and housing.
- Committee on Oversight and Accountability: This committee investigates the work of the federal government to make sure it is running properly.
Political Views
Economy
Lynch has been on the House Financial Services Committee since he first joined Congress. He has supported laws to help the economy and protect consumers. He has also focused on trade policy, working to protect American jobs.
Healthcare
Lynch supports making healthcare more affordable. He voted for an early version of the House's healthcare reform bill in 2009. However, he voted against the final version, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), in 2010. He felt it did not do enough to lower costs for families.
Foreign Policy
Lynch has been very involved in foreign policy, especially in the Middle East. He has made many trips to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to check on U.S. projects and meet with leaders.
He voted for the authorization of the Iraq War in 2002. He later supported President Barack Obama's plans to bring troops home from Iraq and to continue the mission in Afghanistan.
Lynch also believes the U.S. should lift its economic restrictions on Cuba. He has visited the country to meet with its leaders and discuss relations.
U.S. Senate Campaigns
Lynch has run for the U.S. Senate twice. The first time was in 2010, after Senator Ted Kennedy passed away, but he decided to withdraw from the race.
He ran again in a special election in 2013. The seat was open because Senator John Kerry became the U.S. Secretary of State. Lynch ran in the Democratic primary but lost to Ed Markey.
Personal Life
In 1992, Lynch married Margaret Shaughnessy. They had known each other for many years and both grew up in South Boston. They have a daughter and also raised a niece. The family lives in South Boston.
His first cousin is Barbara Lynch, a famous chef and restaurant owner in Boston.
