Marc Pacheco Explained

Marc Pacheco
Office:President pro tempore of the Massachusetts Senate
Term Start:January 21, 2015
Term End:March 20, 2019
Predecessor:Richard T. Moore
Successor:Will Brownsberger
State Senate1:Massachusetts
District1:1st Plymouth and Bristol
Term Start1:January 1993
Predecessor1:Erving Wall
State House2:Massachusetts
District2:3rd Bristol
Term Start2:January 1989
Term End2:January 1993
Predecessor2:Theodore J. Aleixo Jr.
Successor2:James H. Fagan
Birth Date:29 October 1952
Birth Place:Taunton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Party:Democratic

Marc R. Pacheco (born October 29, 1952) is an American state legislator serving as a member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 1st Plymouth and Bristol district. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously represented the 3rd Bristol district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1989 to 1993.[1]

Early life and education

Pacheco was born on October 29, 1952 in Taunton, Massachusetts[2] to Emily L. Pacheco (née Henriques) and Richard Pacheco.[3]

A graduate of Taunton High School, Pacheco received an associate degree from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a bachelor's degree from New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University), and a master's degree from Suffolk University.[4]

Political career

Pacheco entered politics in 1980 when he was elected to the Taunton School Committee. He served until 1989, including two years as chair from 1987 to 1988. From 1982 to 1988, he also served as chief assistant to Mayor Richard Johnson.[5]

In 1988, with incumbent Theodore J. Aleixo Jr. running for Senate,[6] Pacheco was elected to the 3rd Bristol district of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[7] He defeated fellow Taunton residents Carol Doherty and Gail Tardo in the Democratic primary and faced no opposition in the general election.[8] Doherty would later be elected to the seat in a special election in 2020.[9]

In 1992, Pacheco ran for Senate and defeated incumbent Republican Erving H. Wall Jr.[10]

In 2001, Pacheco ran in the 9th congressional district special election caused by the death of Congressman Joe Moakley. He finished fourth in the Democratic primary with 13% of the vote, placing behind colleagues Brian A. Joyce, Cheryl Jacques, and the eventual winner Stephen Lynch.[11]

In 2016, Pacheco served as a presidential elector, casting his vote for Hillary Clinton.[12]

On February 13, 2024, Pacheco announced he would not seek another term.[13]

Committee Assignments

193rd General Court (2023-24)

Personal life

Pacheco lives in Taunton with his wife Barbara, a few blocks from where he grew up.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Senator Marc R. Pacheco . 2024-03-01 . malegislature.gov.
  2. Book: 1993–1994 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  3. Web site: Emily L. Pacheco . 2024-03-01 . tauntongazette.com . en.
  4. Web site: Senator Marc R. Pacheco . July 3, 2017.
  5. Web site: Helms . Chris . Taunton's Oakland complex named for 'the best education mayor we ever had' . 2024-03-01 . Taunton Daily Gazette . en-US.
  6. Web site: PD43+ » 1988 State Senate General Election Bristol and Plymouth District . 2024-03-01 . PD43+ . en-US.
  7. Web site: PD43+ » 1988 State Representative Democratic Primary 3rd Bristol District . 2024-03-01 . PD43+ . en-US.
  8. Web site: PD43+ » 1988 State Representative Democratic Primary 3rd Bristol District . 2024-03-01 . PD43+ . en-US.
  9. Web site: Winokoor . Charles . Taunton's Carol Doherty prevails in 3rd Bristol district state rep race . 2024-03-01 . Taunton Daily Gazette . en-US.
  10. Web site: PD43+ » Candidate Profile... . 2024-03-01 . PD43+ . en-US.
  11. News: September 13, 2001. Conservative Democrat Wins Primary in Boston. The New York Times. May 14, 2015.
  12. News: Dezenski . Lauren . 19 December 2016 . Defiant electors certify Clinton’s win in Massachusetts . 1 March 2024 . Politico.
  13. Web site: 2024-02-14 . Mass. Senate’s longest serving member, Marc Pacheco, not running for re-election . 2024-02-22 . Boston Herald . en-US.