Gerard F. Doherty


Gerard Francis Doherty is an American political figure who was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1957 to 1965 and Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party from 1962 to 1967.

Early life

Doherty was born on April 6, 1928, in Boston. He attended Malden Catholic High School, Harvard University, and Wayne University. After graduating he worked in public relations.

Political career

Doherty was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1956, representing the 2nd Suffolk District.
In 1961, Doherty graduated from Suffolk University Law School and after being admitted to the bar, began practicing real estate, public policy, and energy law.
Doherty also worked as a campaign coordinator for United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Massachusetts Governor Endicott Peabody.
On December 12, 1962, he was unanimously elected Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
In 1976, he was campaign director for Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign in New York.

Later career

After leaving politics, Doherty became a leading Boston lobbyist and served as a regent of the state Board of Regents of Higher Education.