Jane Swift
Jane Swift | |
---|---|
![]() Swift in 2001 | |
Acting Governor of Massachusetts | |
In office April 10, 2001 – January 2, 2003 | |
Preceded by | Paul Cellucci |
Succeeded by | Mitt Romney |
69th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts | |
In office January 7, 1999 – January 2, 2003 | |
Governor | Paul Cellucci |
Preceded by | Paul Cellucci |
Succeeded by | Kerry Healey |
Secretary of Consumer Affairs of Massachusetts | |
In office July 29, 1997 – February 5, 1998 | |
Governor | Paul Cellucci |
Preceded by | Michael T. Duffy |
Succeeded by | Daniel Grabauskas |
Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin district | |
In office January 3, 1991 – January 3, 1997 | |
Preceded by | Peter C. Webber |
Succeeded by | Andrea Nuciforo |
Personal details | |
Born | Jane Maria Swift February 24, 1965 North Adams, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | [1] |
Children | 3 |
Education | Trinity College (BA) |
Jane Maria Swift (born February 24, 1965) is an American politician and nonprofit executive who served as the 69th
Early life and education
Swift grew up in a large extended family in
Career
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/1991_Jane_Swift_Massachusetts_Senator.jpg/150px-1991_Jane_Swift_Massachusetts_Senator.jpg)
In 1990, at the age of 25, Swift was the youngest woman ever elected to the
According to Governor Bill Weld's chief of staff, "She was among the best, if not the best of senators."[3] It was in this capacity that she developed political themes of increased accountability, smaller government, fiscal responsibility, and reforming education and social services.[9]
In 1996, rather than seek re-election to the Senate, Swift was the Republican nominee for United States Congress in Massachusetts's 1st congressional district. She lost to a popular two-term incumbent Democratic Congressman, John Olver, by four points.
Swift went on to serve as an executive with the
During her time as lieutenant governor, Swift faced significant scrutiny for her choices as a high-profile working mother.
Tenure as governor
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Office_of_the_Secretary_-_Secretary_Elaine_Chao_with_Governor_Jane_Swift_%28R-MA%29_-_DPLA_-_4e999eabf8c9808afe610c317df1af2c_%28a%29.jpg/220px-Office_of_the_Secretary_-_Secretary_Elaine_Chao_with_Governor_Jane_Swift_%28R-MA%29_-_DPLA_-_4e999eabf8c9808afe610c317df1af2c_%28a%29.jpg)
Swift became acting
Swift won widespread praise for her response to the
Faced with a widening budget deficit in the aftermath of the attacks, Swift cut nearly $300 million in programs and vetoed nearly $600 million in proposed spending.[16] She received high praise from the Massachusetts High Tech Council for her response to the budget crisis without resorting to massive tax increases.[17]
Her tenure as acting governor was not without controversy. In February 2002, she drew criticism for her refusal to commute the thirty-to-forty-year sentence of Gerald Amirault, who was convicted in the 1986 Fells Acres day care sexual abuse trial and who had already served 16 years in prison. Her decision, which went against the unanimous recommendation of the state parole board, came at the urging of Martha Coakley, then Middlesex County District Attorney and subsequently State Attorney General. Both Coakley's and Swift's motives in denying Amirault clemency have been impugned as politically inspired.[18]
Swift received a grade of B in 2002 for her fiscal policies.[19][20] from the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, in their biennial Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors.
Cabinet and administration
The Swift Cabinet | ||
---|---|---|
OFFICE | NAME | TERM |
Governor | Jane M. Swift | 2001–2003 |
Lieutenant Governor | Jane M. Swift | 2001–2003 |
Secretary of Transportation | James Scanlan | 2001–2003 |
Director of Housing & Community Development | Jane Wallis Gumble | 2001–2003 |
Secretary of Environmental Affairs | Robert Durand | 2001–2003 |
Director of Consumer Affairs | Jennifer Davis Carey | 2001–2003 |
Secretary of Health and Human Services | Robert Gittens Ronald Preston |
2001–2002 2002–2003 |
Secretary of Elder Affairs | Lillian Glickman | 2001–2003 |
Director of Labor & Workforce Development | Angelo R. Buonopane | 2001–2003 |
Secretary of Administration & Finance | Kevin J. Sullivan |
2001–2002 2002–2003 |
Secretary of Public Safety | James P. Jajuga |
2001–2001 2001–2003 |
2002 gubernatorial campaign
In October 2001, Swift announced that she would run for a full term as governor in the 2002 election.[21] In January 2002 she named Patrick Guerriero, her deputy chief of staff, as her running mate.[22] Guerriero became the nation's first openly gay candidate for lieutenant governor.[23]
Despite her widely praised response to the September 11 attacks, Swift's popularity was damaged by political missteps and personal controversies.[21][24][25] Many Republicans viewed her as unable to win a general election against a Democrat and campaigned to persuade businessman Mitt Romney to run for governor.[26][27] On March 17, a Boston Herald poll showed Romney defeating Swift in a Republican primary by a 75 percent to 12 percent margin.[25][28] On March 19, 2002, Swift declared that she had decided not to seek her party's nomination, citing family reasons and also saying, "I believe that this is in the best interest of our state, as it will allow the Republican Party's best chances of holding the governor's office in November."[28] Three hours later, Romney announced his candidacy [21] and he went on to defeat Democrat Shannon O'Brien in the general election.
Swift's official portrait was unveiled in the Massachusetts State House in 2005.[29]
Involvement in 2008 presidential campaign
A skilled campaigner and fundraiser, Swift continued to be considered a "power player" within the Republican Party.[30] She endorsed Senator John McCain for president in February 2007 and campaigned on his behalf throughout 2008.[31] Swift appeared on news and political commentary shows, providing point/counterpoint discussion on the campaign.[32] Swift also decried sexist criticism of vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin.[31][32]
Post-political life and work
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Governor-healey-lt-governor-driscoll-visit-former-governor-jane-swifts-farm_52637961069_o_%281%29.jpg/220px-Governor-healey-lt-governor-driscoll-visit-former-governor-jane-swifts-farm_52637961069_o_%281%29.jpg)
After leaving public office, Swift moved back to the Berkshires while continuing to work in Boston and throughout the U.S. as an education executive, consultant and venture capital partner with special expertise in education technology. She has received six honorary doctorates, served as a fellow at
Swift became CEO of Middlebury Interactive Languages (MIL) from August 2011 until April 2017.[38]
On July 1, 2019 Swift became the president and executive director of LearnLaunch, a nonprofit education innovation organization.
The former governor's philanthropic work has focused on issues of importance to women and girls. She has held trustee positions, board memberships, and advisory roles both domestically and abroad, for organizations including:
- Sally Ride Science
- School of Leadership – Afghanistan[39]
- Oxfam America's Sisters on the Planet VoteRunLead[40]
- Champlain College[41]
Swift completed the Boston Marathon in 2008, running as part of the fundraising team for Boston Children's Hospital.[42]
In 2015, Swift signed an
Personal life
In 1994, Swift, aged 29, married
Electoral history
- 1990 race for Massachusetts Senate, Berkshire District
- Jane Swift (R), 52%
- Sherwood Guernsey (D), 48%
- 1992 race for Massachusetts Senate, Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin District
- Jane Swift (R), 61%
- Thomas Stokes (D), 39%
- 1994 race for Massachusetts Senate, Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin District
- Jane Swift (R), 100%
- 1996 race for United States House of Representatives, Massachusetts District 1
- John Olver (D, incumbent), 53%
- Jane Swift (R), 47%
- 1998 race for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
- Paul Cellucci (incumbent)/Jane Swift (R), 51%
- Scott Harshbarger/Warren Tolman (D), 47%
See also
- List of female governors in the United States
- List of female lieutenant governors in the United States
Notes
- Massachusetts Constitution does not use the term "acting governor", but the practice in Massachusetts has been that the lieutenant governor retains his or her position and title as "lieutenant governor" and becomes acting governor, not governor. The lieutenant governor, when acting as governor, is referred to as "the lieutenant-governor, acting governor" in some official documents, but in everyday use may be referred to as simply "the governor," and ceremonially as "Her Excellency."[2]
References
- ^ Marquard, Bryan (December 22, 2021). "Chuck Hunt, the state's first 'first husband,' remembered for his 'kindness toward the least powerful'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
- ^ "Deval Patrick's potential presidential run could make Jane Swift an outlier | Boston.com". www.boston.com. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
- ^ Boston Globe. April 8, 2001. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
- Boston Globe. Retrieved 2019-04-13.
- ^ "Jane Swift Biography". Archived from the original on 2009-01-02. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- ^ "Sally Ride Science board of directors". Archived from the original on 2 July 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- ^ "Ed Reform Timeline". Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- ^ Lehigh, Scot (September 4, 2009). "The lessons of MCAS". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
- ^ "Jane Swift: Former Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts". Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
- ^ Mehren, Elizabeth (2001-08-20). "Harsh spotlight on governor:Personal becomes political in Massachusetts". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ Goldberg, Carey (August 24, 2000). "Ethics Ruling Faults Massachusetts Official". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ Weiss, Joanna (January 17, 2023). "Jane Swift and Me, 20 Years Later". Boston_(magazine). Retrieved 2023-01-17.
- ^ Ferdin, Pamela. "Mass. Governor Begins Debated Maternity Leave[dead link]." Washington Post. 2001-05-17. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
- ^ "These are times that try an optimist, September 13, 2001". Retrieved 2008-09-23.[failed verification]
- ^ Joan Vennochi (November 19, 2021). "In opinion journalism, the hardest words are 'I was wrong'". The Boston Globe.
- ^ "Boston Magazine, January 2003". Archived from the original on 2009-07-09. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- ^ "High Tech Council Support Swift's Balancing of Budget" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-10-29. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
- ^ "Gerald Amirault's Freedom". The Wall Street Journal. 2004-04-30. Archived from the original on 13 December 2009.
- ^ Moore, Stephen; Slivinski, Stephen (September 20, 2002). "Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2002" (PDF). Policy Analysis No. 454. Cato Institute. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ^ Moore, Stephen; Slivinski, Stephen (September 20, 2002). "Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2002". Cato Institute. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ^ ISBN 0-89234-106-8.
- ^ Anderson, Lisa (February 12, 2002). "Massachusetts savors prospect of hot primary". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ Wu, Janet (January 2002). "Swift Names Guerriero As Running Mate". WCVB Boston. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20.
- ^ The Associated Press (April 11, 2001). "Massachusetts's first female governor takes office, under heavy statewide scrutiny". The Daily Texan. Archived from the original on February 20, 2008.
- ^ a b Mooney, Brian (June 29, 2007). "The Making of Mitt Romney: Part 6: Taking office, remaining an outsider". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Frank, Mitch."Jane Swift Takes One For the Team:The Massachusetts GOP took a risk by choosing Mitt Romney over the more progressive Swift. Will their decision come back to haunt them?" Archived 2003-04-06 at the Wayback Machine Time Magazine, March 21, 2002. Retrieved October 29, 2006.
- ^ Berwick Jr., Bob and Roch, Lisa Riley. "Boston GOP beseeching Mitt: But hero of S.L. Games is coy about his future" Deseret News, February 22, 2002. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
- ^ a b "Swift exits, Romney joins Mass. governor's race" , CNN, March 19, 2002. Retrieved October 30, 2006.
- ^ Weiss, Joanna (2005-10-25). "Boston Globe: Capturing the legacy of a governor". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- ^ "Boston Herald.com, September 5, 2008". Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- ^ a b O'Keefe, Ed (2008-09-12). "The Return of Jane Swift". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ a b "The Raw Story | Obama: McCain pig ad 'a made-up controversy'". rawstory.com. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
- ^ Swift, Jane (March 16, 2023). "When I was governor, I wanted people to look beyond my hair and hemlines. I still do". WBUR-FM. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
- ^ "Working Mother Media and Corporate Voices for Working Families Honor Congressional Members Making a Difference for Working Families". Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- ^ "Williams College, p. 190" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-30. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- ^ "New Faculty 2008–2009". Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- ^ "Cobble Hill Farm Soap". Cobble Hill Farm Soap. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "Middlebury Interactive Languages Names Jane Swift CEO". www.businesswire.com. 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "School of Leadership, Afghanistan". School of Leadership, Afghanistan. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
- ^ "VoteRunLead Announces New Advisory Board Members". Retrieved 2015-09-29.
- ^ "Champlain College | Board of Trustees | Colleges in Vermont". www.champlain.edu. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
- ^ Inc, Rodale (May 2008). Runner's World. Rodale, Inc.
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has generic name (help) - ^ "GOP Politicians Call for Supreme Court to OK Gay Marriage". Time. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
- ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
- Boston Globe. Retrieved 2022-02-20.