Deval Patrick#2008 Democratic primary

Patrick was born on July 31, 1956, in the South Side of Chicago, where his family resided in a two-bedroom apartment in the Robert Taylor Homes' housing projects. Patrick is the son of Emily Mae (née Wintersmith) and Pat Patrick, a jazz musician associated with Sun Ra. In 1959, Patrick's father abandoned their family in order to play music in New York City,{{cite news|first=Scott|last=Helman|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/05/24/beating_odds_a_uniter_rose_from_chicagos_tough_side/|title=Beating odds, a uniter rose from Chicago's tough side|work=The Boston Globe|publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC|location=Boston, Massachusetts|date=May 24, 2006|access-date=June 12, 2018|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212043/http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/05/24/beating_odds_a_uniter_rose_from_chicagos_tough_side/|url-status=live}} and because he had fathered a daughter, La'Shon Anthony, by another woman.{{cite news|first=Sally|last=Jacobs|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/25/patrick_shaped_by_fathers_absence/|title=Patrick shaped by father's absence|work=The Boston Globe|publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC|location=Boston, Massachusetts|date=March 25, 2007|access-date=June 12, 2018|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304140139/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/25/patrick_shaped_by_fathers_absence/|url-status=live}} Deval reportedly had a strained relationship with his father, who opposed his choice of high school, but they eventually reconciled. Patrick was raised by his mother, who traces her roots to American slaves in Kentucky.{{cite web |url=http://www.wargs.com/political/patrick.html |title=Ancestry of Deval Patrick |website=Wargs.com |access-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-date=April 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423191557/http://www.wargs.com/political/patrick.html |url-status=live }}

While Patrick was in middle school, one of his teachers referred him to A Better Chance, a national non-profit organization for identifying, recruiting and developing leaders among academically gifted minority students, which enabled him to attend Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts. Patrick graduated from Milton Academy in 1974 and went on to attend college, the first in his family. He graduated from Harvard College, where he was a member of the Fly Club, with a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude,{{cite web|title=Congressional Record 110th Congress (2007-2008)|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r110:S28FE7-0033:|publisher=The Library of Congress|access-date=August 18, 2011|archive-date=September 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901173439/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r110:S28FE7-0033:|url-status=live}} in English and American literature, in 1978. At Harvard, Patrick won "Best Oralist" in the Ames Moot Court Competition, in 1981.{{cite web|url=http://www3.law.harvard.edu/orgs/bsa/past-winners/|title=About the BSA|website=Harvard Law School Board of Student Advisers|access-date=September 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029213847/http://www3.law.harvard.edu/orgs/bsa/past-winners/|archive-date=October 29, 2013|url-status=dead}} Among the competition's judges was Judge Henry Friendly.{{Cite web |title=Judges See Ames Moot Court, Laud Students Oratorial Skill |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1981/11/20/judges-see-ames-moot-court-laud/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=The Harvard Crimson}}

Patrick graduated from Harvard Law School with a J.D., cum laude, in 1982. He proceeded to fail the State Bar of California exam twice, before passing on his third try.{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/02/09/in_book_governor_deval_patrick_says_he_considered_resigning/ |work=The Boston Globe |first=Michael |last=Levenson |title=Patrick says he considered resigning |date=February 9, 2011 |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151728/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/02/09/in_book_governor_deval_patrick_says_he_considered_resigning/ |url-status=live }} Patrick then served as a law clerk to Judge Stephen Reinhardt on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for one year. In 1983, he joined the staff of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF), where he worked on death penalty and voting rights cases.

While at LDF, he met Bill Clinton, the then Governor of Arkansas, when he sued Clinton in a voting case.Kirk Johnson. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/us/politics/08govs.html?pagewanted=all "The 2006 Elections: Governors; Democrats Oust G.O.P. In Governing Six States"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729081915/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/us/politics/08govs.html?pagewanted=all |date=July 29, 2018 }}, The New York Times, November 8, 2006. In 1986, he joined the Boston law firm of Hill & Barlow and was named partner in 1990, at the age of 34. While at Hill & Barlow, he managed high-profile engagements such as acting as Desiree Washington's attorney in her civil lawsuit against Mike Tyson.{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20109518,00.html |title=Desiree Washington |work=People |date=December 28, 1992 |access-date=April 9, 2011 |archive-date=March 31, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110331020603/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20109518,00.html |url-status=live }}

{{Clear}}

In 1994, President Bill Clinton nominated Patrick as the United States Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, and he was subsequently confirmed by the United States Senate. Federal affirmative action policy was under judicial and political review, and Patrick defended Clinton's policy. Patrick also worked on issues including racial profiling, police misconduct, and the treatment of incarcerated criminals."[http://news.bostonherald.com/localPolitics/view.bg?articleid=161882 Prison demands 'over the top' - N.Y. jail boss details 'aggressive' hounding by gov hopeful] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018233034/http://news.bostonherald.com/localPolitics/view.bg?articleid=161882 |date=October 18, 2006 }} Boston Herald October 12, 2006.

Between 1995 and 1997, Patrick coordinated an investigation into a series of arsons of predominantly black churches across the South. The investigation brought together a number of state and federal agencies, and was the largest federal investigation in history until the time of 9/11.[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-19/church-burning-case-guides-patrick-s-boston-bomb-recovery.html "Church-Burning Case Guides Patrick's Boston Bomb Recovery"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502002823/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-19/church-burning-case-guides-patrick-s-boston-bomb-recovery.html |date=May 2, 2014 }} Bloomberg News, April 29, 2013 In the end, more than 100 arrests were made, but no evidence of national or regional conspiracy was found.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/churches/churches.htm "In Church Fires, a Pattern but No Conspiracy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119093605/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/churches/churches.htm |date=November 19, 2017 }}, Washington Post, June 19, 1996.

In 1997, Patrick returned to Boston to join the firm of Day, Berry & Howard (later called Day Pitney LLP), and was appointed by the federal district court to serve as Chairman of Texaco's Equality and Fairness Task Force to oversee implementation of the terms of a race discrimination settlement. Working with employees at all levels, Patrick and his Task Force examined and reformed Texaco's complex corporate employment culture, and created a model for fostering an equitable workplace.{{cite web |url=http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=Agov3_Deval_Patrick_welcome_msg|title=Deval Patrick's Massachusetts state government webpage|publisher=Mass.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407170045/http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=Agov3_Deval_Patrick_welcome_msg|archive-date=April 7, 2010|access-date=April 9, 2011}}

Some gay rights activists criticized him for his tenure on the United Airlines (UAL) board. During this time, the company originally fought an ordinance requiring that it offer domestic partnership benefits, but Patrick successfully encouraged UAL to offer such benefits to all employees, making it the first airline to do so.[https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/08/18/gay_rights_advocates_question_patrick/ "Gay Rights Advocates Question Patrick: Domestic Partnerships at Issue"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105602/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/08/18/gay_rights_advocates_question_patrick/ |date=March 4, 2016 }} The Boston Globe, August 18, 2006.

In 1999, partly because of his work on the Equality and Fairness Task Force, Patrick was offered the job as General Counsel of Texaco, responsible for all of the company's legal affairs. While he continued his work transforming employment practices at the company, the majority of his time was devoted to exploring and working out a merger, ultimately announced in October 2000, with larger Chevron Corp.[https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/08/13/patricks_path_from_courtroom_to_boardroom/?page=full "Patrick's path from courtroom to boardroom"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032510/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/08/13/patricks_path_from_courtroom_to_boardroom/?page=full |date=March 5, 2016 }} The Boston Globe, August 13, 2006

In 2001, Patrick left Texaco to become the Executive Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary at The Coca-Cola Company. Patrick pushed for a thorough review of allegations that some workers at bottlers of Coke products in Colombia had been abused or even killed by paramilitary groups as a result of union organizing activity. Patrick concluded the allegations to be unsubstantiated and untrue, but counseled that the company allow an independent inquiry to lay all questions to rest. After initially supporting Patrick's view, then-CEO Douglas Daft changed his mind, precipitating Patrick's decision to leave Coke.

From 2004 to 2006, he served on the board of directors of ACC Capital Holdings, the parent company of Ameriquest and Argent Mortgage. Ameriquest was the largest lender of so-called subprime mortgages and was under investigation by Attorneys General across the country. Patrick joined the board at the request of Ameriquest's founder, Roland Arnall, who asked for his help managing the investigations and changing the company's culture.{{cite news|first=Brian C.|last=Mooney|title=Deval Patrick's Path though the Corporate World|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/08/13/patricks_path_from_courtroom_to_boardroom/|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=August 13, 2006|access-date=November 12, 2019|archive-date=November 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109211808/http://archive.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/08/13/patricks_path_from_courtroom_to_boardroom/|url-status=live}} During his tenure on the board, Ameriquest and Argent originated over $80 billion in subprime mortgages,{{cite web |url=http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/economic_meltdown/the_subprime_25/ |title=Who's Behind the Financial Meltdown? |website=Center For Public Integrity|date=October 7, 2011|access-date=October 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009070611/http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/economic_meltdown/the_subprime_25/ |archive-date=October 9, 2011}} but those conducting the investigation said that at the time Patrick left Ameriquest the company was on the road to change.

Following his career as governor, Patrick joined the private equity firm Bain Capital in 2015, where he is served as a Managing Director.{{cite web|title=Bain Capital|url=http://www.baincapital.com/team-members/bain-capital-corporate/deval-patrick|website=www.baincapital.com|access-date=January 29, 2016|archive-date=February 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205043317/http://www.baincapital.com/team-members/bain-capital-corporate/deval-patrick|url-status=live}}

In 2024, Patrick joined private equity firm The Vistria Group as a Senior Advisor. He would be named a Senior Partner in November of that same year.

{{see also|2007–2008 Massachusetts legislature|2009–2010 Massachusetts legislature|2011–2012 Massachusetts legislature|2013–2014 Massachusetts legislature}}

File:Deval Patrick with Elena Kagan at HLS cropped.jpg Elena Kagan at the Harvard Law School, in 2008.]]Having been elected in 2006, Patrick took office as governor on January 4, 2007 and served two terms, leaving office on January 8, 2015, having not sought reelection to a third term.

Before taking office, Patrick assembled a transition team headed by lawyer Michael Angelini, bank executive Ronald Homer, and Weld administration economic affairs secretary Gloria Cordes Larson.[https://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/11/11/patrick_picks_team_leaders/ Patrick picks team leaders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304215448/http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/11/11/patrick_picks_team_leaders/ |date=March 4, 2016 }} The Boston Globe, November 11, 2006 In his first meetings with the legislative leadership, he proposed his first action would be to hire 1,000 new police officers and to expand full-day kindergarten statewide.[https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/11/12/patrick_will_seek_120m_for_changes "Patrick will seek $120m for changes"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201536/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/11/12/patrick_will_seek_120m_for_changes/ |date=March 4, 2016 }}, Boston.com, November 12, 2006.

Breaking with the tradition of being inaugurated in the House Chamber of the Massachusetts State House, Patrick and Murray took their oaths of office, and Patrick delivered his inaugural address,{{cite web |url=http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Media+Center&L2=Speeches&sid=Agov3&b=terminalcontent&f=text_2007-01-04_inaugural&csid=Agov3 |title=01.04.07 - Inaugural Address |access-date=February 9, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212034333/http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Media+Center&L2=Speeches&sid=Agov3&b=terminalcontent&f=text_2007-01-04_inaugural&csid=Agov3 |archive-date=February 12, 2009}} outdoors on the West Portico of the State House facing Boston Common.

Doing this allowed a larger part of the public to witness the event, and was intended to signal a more open, transparent, and accessible government.[https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/12/14/review_cool_to_inaugural_speech_plan/ review cool to inaugural speech plan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102708/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/12/14/review_cool_to_inaugural_speech_plan/ |date=March 4, 2016 }} The Boston Globe, December 14, 2006 In honor of his heritage, he took his oath of office on the Mendi Bible, which was given to then-Congressman John Quincy Adams by the freed American slaves from the ship La Amistad.[https://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/01/patrick_to_take.html Patrick to take oath on bible] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902205901/http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/01/patrick_to_take.html |date=September 2, 2013 }} The Boston Globe, January 2, 2007.

A series of regional inaugural balls, seven in total, were held to bring the inauguration to the citizens of the Commonwealth. The celebrations took place in Cape Cod, Worcester, Dartmouth, Pittsfield, Springfield, and Boston.[http://cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_340203656.html Gov. Elect Deval Patrick To Hold 7 Inaugural Balls] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207021807/http://cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_340203656.html |date=December 7, 2006 }}, CBS4 Boston, December 6, 2006.

{{Main|2006 Massachusetts gubernatorial election}}

In 2005, Patrick announced his candidacy for governor of Massachusetts. He was at first seen as a dark horse candidate, facing veteran politicians Thomas Reilly and Chris Gabrielli in the Democratic primary. Patrick secured the nomination in the September primary, winning 49% of the vote in the three-way race.[http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2006_primary_results.pdf State Primary Election Results 2006] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127140921/http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2006_primary_results.pdf |date=November 27, 2007 }} Massachusetts Elections Division official results, Sec.state.ma.us In the general election, Patrick faced Republican lieutenant governor Kerry Healey and Independent Massachusetts Turnpike Commission member Christy Mihos.

The general election was very heated, described by former governor Michael Dukakis as "the dirtiest gubernatorial campaign in my memory".[https://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2006/10/29/enough "Enough"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912092714/http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2006/10/29/enough/ |date=September 12, 2015 }} The Boston Globe, October 29, 2006. Patrick faced criticism for having once written letters to the parole board describing correspondence from Benjamin LaGuer, a man convicted of a brutal eight-hour rape, as "thoughtful, insightful, eloquent, [and] humane".{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/10/19/new_healey_ad_again_links_patrick_laguer|title=New Healey ad again links Patrick, LaGuer|first1=Andrea|last1=Estes|first2=Frank|last2=Phillips|date=October 19, 2006|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 29, 2010|archive-date=February 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217143254/http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/10/19/new_healey_ad_again_links_patrick_laguer/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/10/04/patrick_tried_twice_to_aid_parole_bid/|title=Patrick tried twice to aid parole bid: Candidate changes course on release of convicted rapist|first=Andrea|last=Estes|date=October 4, 2006|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 29, 2010|archive-date=June 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603231817/http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/10/04/patrick_tried_twice_to_aid_parole_bid/|url-status=live}}

Patrick contributed $5,000 towards the DNA testing which linked LaGuer to the crime. However, once the DNA test proved LaGuer's guilt, Patrick withdrew his support for the inmate's release.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/10/05/patrick_says_he_gave_money_to_aid_convict|title=Patrick says he gave money to aid convict: Donation helped pay for DNA test|first=Andrea|last=Estes|date=October 5, 2006|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 29, 2010|archive-date=February 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215124229/http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/10/05/patrick_says_he_gave_money_to_aid_convict/|url-status=live}}

Patrick won the general election with 55% of the vote, becoming the first Democratic governor of Massachusetts since Michael Dukakis left office in 1991, and the state's first African-American governor.{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalpartnership.org/news-room/press-releases/governor-deval-patrick-to-be-honored.html |title=Governor Deval Patrick to be Honored By Leading Women's Organization |publisher=The National Partnership for Women & Families |date=2008 |access-date=December 5, 2018 |quote=Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is one of the nation’s most talented and innovative leaders and fastest rising political stars. In 2006, he became the Commonwealth’s first African-American Governor, winning office with a message of community and hard work. |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206145440/http://www.nationalpartnership.org/news-room/press-releases/governor-deval-patrick-to-be-honored.html |url-status=live }}

{{Main|2010 Massachusetts gubernatorial election}}

On April 2, 2009, Patrick announced alongside Lt. Governor Timothy Murray that they would both run for re-election.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|url=http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_politics/2009/04/deval_i_will_run_again|title=Deval: I will run again|work=Boston Herald|date=April 2, 2009|access-date=April 9, 2011|archive-date=January 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110235244/http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_politics/2009/04/deval_i_will_run_again|url-status=live}}

Patrick was opposed for the Democratic nomination by Grace Ross, the 2006 Green-Rainbow nominee for governor, but she withdrew when she could not garner the number of signatures needed to run.{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/06/02/political_also_rans_keep_coming_back_for_more|title=Always on the run: Despite lack of funds, mounting string of losses, quixotic politicians carry on for their causes|first=Stephanie|last=Ebbert|access-date=June 2, 2010|work=The Boston Globe|archive-date=June 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605065948/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/06/02/political_also_rans_keep_coming_back_for_more/|url-status=live}}

Patrick bucked the national trend in the mid-term election, defeating Republican challenger Charlie Baker with 48.4% of the vote. Baker received 42.0% and Tim Cahill, a former Democratic state treasurer running as an independent, took 8.0%. Nationally, Republicans gained a net of 63 seats to take control of the House, but remained a minority in the Senate despite gaining 6 seats.{{Cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2010/11/massachusetts_gov_deval_patric_36.html|title=Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick wins re-election|last=MassLive|first=The Associated Press {{!}}|date=2010-11-03|website=masslive|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29|archive-date=February 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213132509/https://www.masslive.com/news/2010/11/massachusetts_gov_deval_patric_36.html|url-status=live}}

Patrick crafted and signed a bill that allows for the construction and operation of three resort-style casinos in the state. He argued that these casinos would generate over $2 billion for the state economy. He also touted that the casinos would create 30,000 construction jobs and 20,000 permanent jobs.{{Cite news|url=https://boston.com/business/gallery/topstories2007?pg=21|title=Casinos considered for state|author=David L. Ryan|date=December 13, 2007|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 23, 2008|archive-date=December 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226033258/http://boston.com/business/gallery/topstories2007?pg=21|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/09/18/governor_predicts_a_jackpot|title=Governor predicts a jackpot: Millions targeted for road, bridges, property tax relief: Proposal is hailed, faces turbulence on Beacon Hill|author=Frank Phillips and Andrea Estes|date=September 18, 2007|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 23, 2008|archive-date=October 6, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006024919/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/09/18/governor_predicts_a_jackpot/|url-status=live}}

Patrick proposed that the revenue generated would be spent to beef up local law enforcement, create a state gambling regulatory agency, repair roads and bridges, and aid in gambling addiction treatment, and that the remainder would go towards property tax relief.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/03/06/patrick_sends_lawmakers_brochure_lauding_casino_plan|title=Patrick sends lawmakers brochure lauding casino plan: Softens figures on job creation|author=Matt Viser|date=March 6, 2008|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 23, 2008|archive-date=September 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906103948/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/03/06/patrick_sends_lawmakers_brochure_lauding_casino_plan|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/10/homeowners_could_get_casino_payout/|title=Homeowners could get casino payout: Patrick bill to share windfall via tax cut|author=Andrea Estes|date=October 10, 2007|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 23, 2008|archive-date=December 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226031700/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/10/homeowners_could_get_casino_payout/|url-status=live}}

Patrick's casino plan had faced strong opposition from Salvatore DiMasi, the former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. DiMasi questioned Patrick's projections of new jobs and revenues to be generated, and was opposed to what he referred to as a casino culture, saying: "Do we want to usher in a casino culture– with rampant bankruptcies, crime and social ills– or do we want to create a better Massachusetts for all sectors of the society?"{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/03/04/dimasi_scoffs_at_casino_job_plan|title=DiMasi scoffs at casino job plan: Says governor's bid 'losing credibility'|author=Sean P. Murphy|date=March 4, 2008|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 23, 2008|archive-date=May 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511180449/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/03/04/dimasi_scoffs_at_casino_job_plan/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/03/13/casino_supporter_says_bill_has_only_outside_chance_of_passing|title=DiMasi dismisses Patrick casino claims as "just rhetoric"|author=Steve LeBlanc|date=March 13, 2008|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226031810/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/03/13/casino_supporter_says_bill_has_only_outside_chance_of_passing/|archive-date=December 26, 2008|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/NEWS/803140400/-1/NEWS01|title=DiMasi dismisses Patrick casino claims as "just rhetoric"|author=Steve LeBlanc|agency=Associated Press|date=March 13, 2008|work=The Standard-Times|location=New Bedford 3|access-date=November 20, 2020|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140444/http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080314%2FNEWS%2F803140400%2F-1%2FNEWS01|url-status=live}}

Casino gaming lobbying in Massachusetts has also received scrutiny for associations with the Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal and efforts by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to secure rights to a casino outside the legal framework of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. In 2009, Patrick was among the top campaign contribution recipients from casino lobbying interests,[http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x966803969/Gambling-lobby-spending-big-in-Massachusetts/ Gambling lobby spends big in Massachusetts] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130102172004/http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x966803969/Gambling-lobby-spending-big-in-Massachusetts/ |date=January 2, 2013}}, Eagletribune.com, March 10, 2010. and from financiers backing the Wampanoag casino interests.[http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x428859068 The men and money behind the tribes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614012336/http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x428859068 |date=June 14, 2011}}, The MetroWest Daily News, December 27, 2007.

On March 20, 2008, the Massachusetts House of Representatives rejected Patrick's casino bill by a vote of 108 to 46.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/03/21/house_rejects_casino_bill_backers_vow_to_roll_again/|title=House rejects casino bill; backers vow to roll again: Racetracks, unions, tribe pursue strategies|author=Matt Viser|date=March 21, 2008|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 23, 2008|archive-date=July 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725125757/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/03/21/house_rejects_casino_bill_backers_vow_to_roll_again/|url-status=live}} Despite the overwhelming vote, questions were raised by critics of DiMasi as to the tactics he used to win. These included allegations that he promised a subsequent vote on a bill that would allow slot machines at the state's four racetracks and the pre-vote promotions of six lawmakers who had been thought to support the bill, but either abstained or voted against the bill. DiMasi denied that any promise had been made on the race track bill and denied that the promotions were connected to the casino bill vote.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/03/21/charges_of_deals_promised_fulfilled_and_broken_in_casino_debate|title=Charges of deals promised, fulfilled and broken in casino debate|author=Glen Johnson|date=March 21, 2008|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226033047/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/03/21/charges_of_deals_promised_fulfilled_and_broken_in_casino_debate/|archive-date=December 26, 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://bostonherald.com//news_opinion/local_politics/2008/03/pols_tapped_sal_changed_vote_casinos|title=Pols tapped by Sal changed vote on casinos|author=Casey Ross|date=March 22, 2008|work=Boston Herald|access-date=March 23, 2008|archive-date=January 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117104929/http://bostonherald.com//news_opinion/local_politics/2008/03/pols_tapped_sal_changed_vote_casinos|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_politics/2008/03/dimasi’s_deep_six|title=DiMasi's deep six|author=Casey Ross|date=March 22, 2008|work=Boston Herald|access-date=March 23, 2008|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204604/http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_politics/2008/03/dimasi%E2%80%99s_deep_six/|url-status=live}}

Patrick's conduct was also criticized and his commitment to the bill questioned when it was revealed that he was not in the state on the day the bill was voted on in the legislature. As the bill was being voted down, Patrick was in New York City on personal business, finalizing a $1.35-million deal with Broadway Books, an imprint of Random House, to publish his autobiography.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/03/30/patrick_goes_from_we_to_me|title=Patrick goes from 'we' to 'me'|author=Joan Vennochi|date=March 30, 2008|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 30, 2008|author-link=Joan Vennochi|archive-date=December 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226033238/http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/03/30/patrick_goes_from_we_to_me/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/03/29/patrick_captures_135m_deal_for_life_story|title=Patrick captures $1.35m deal for life story: With lucrative contract comes political risk|author=Matt Viser and Frank Phillips|date=March 29, 2008|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 30, 2008|archive-date=December 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226033057/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/03/29/patrick_captures_135m_deal_for_life_story/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1083857&srvc=home&position=comment|title=Bio hazard: Gov's book deal exposes him as author-tunist|author=Howie Carr|date=March 30, 2008|work=Boston Herald|access-date=March 30, 2008|author-link=Howie Carr|archive-date=September 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916132915/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1083857&srvc=home&position=comment|url-status=live}}

By mid-2010, the house and senate passed a bill with plans for three resort-style casinos and two slot parlors. However, Patrick vetoed it as he previously stated that he would only accept one slot parlor.{{cite news|url=http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/08/02/house-senate-give-final-ok-casino-bill-patrick-vows-veto-it-stan|title=House, Senate give final OK to casino bill, but Patrick vows veto as it stands|last=Gazette|first=Daily|date=August 2, 2010|newspaper=The Daily Hampshire Gazette|access-date=August 2, 2010|archive-date=June 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609020217/http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/08/02/house-senate-give-final-ok-casino-bill-patrick-vows-veto-it-stan|url-status=live}} When the 2011 casino legislation was still in debate, an investigative report in The Boston Globe revealed the governor violated his self-imposed policy of not accepting money from or meeting with lobbyists for the gambling industry, by accepting more than $6,000 in campaign contributions, and meeting with and attending fundraisers hosted by gaming lobbyists.{{cite web|url=http://articles.boston.com/2011-07-08/news/29752697_1_gambling-lobbyists-gambling-equipment-gambling-industry-representatives|title=Patrick breaks own rules on casinos|work=The Boston Globe|publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners LLC|location=Boston, Massachusetts|date=July 8, 2011|access-date=July 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711004151/http://articles.boston.com/2011-07-08/news/29752697_1_gambling-lobbyists-gambling-equipment-gambling-industry-representatives|archive-date=July 11, 2011|url-status=dead}}

File:Mashpee-wampanoag-casino-compact 20769017046 o.jpg (July 2012)]]

Patrick signed the legislation into law in December 2011. Its implementation, however, has seen hurdles and delays. The governor's point man on crafting gaming legislation and negotiating a state compact with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Assistant Secretary for Policy & Economic Development Carl Stanley McGee, was forced to resign from his appointment to direct the newly formed Massachusetts Gaming Commission following reports of 2007 charges that he molested a child in Florida.[http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/05/past_child_sex_assault_accusat/865/comments-newest.html Sex assault accusation becomes too big a 'distraction' for Carl Stanley McGee, who will not serve as acting executive director of Massachusetts Gaming Commission], The Republic, May 10, 2012. Stan McGee was forced to return to his economic development post where he still oversees casino policies for the governor.[http://bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20220511gov_ex-aide_in_sex_flap_can_have_job_back Gov. Deval Patrick: Ex-aide in sex flap can have job back] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614180803/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20220511gov_ex-aide_in_sex_flap_can_have_job_back |date=June 14, 2012 }}, Boston Herald, May 11, 2012. The scandal resulted in the Massachusetts legislature passing a bill and overriding a veto by Patrick requiring background checks on casino regulators.[https://archive.today/20130118222114/http://articles.boston.com/2012-05-31/metro/31900687_1_background-checks-veto-screenings House overrides Patrick's veto on background checks], The Boston Globe, May 31, 2012.

In June 2014, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a referendum to repeal legislation permitting casino gambling could appear on the November ballot, throwing the prospects of the casino legislation into question.{{cite web|last1=Arsenalt|first1=Mark|title=Sides in fight over casino law ready to raise their voices|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/08/06/casino/t6aiEZnwbdBBEDf3jpqMEI/story.html|website=www.bostonglobe.com|publisher=The Boston Globe|access-date=August 7, 2014|archive-date=August 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807212059/http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/08/06/casino/t6aiEZnwbdBBEDf3jpqMEI/story.html|url-status=live}}

In 2010, Patrick pushed for legislation to limit the purchase of firearms, citing a series of gun violence incidents and violent crime in Boston.{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/06/10/committees_tie_vote_derails_gun_control_bill|work=The Boston Globe|first=Maria|last=Cramer|title=Committee's tie vote derails gun control bill|date=June 10, 2010|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305002458/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/06/10/committees_tie_vote_derails_gun_control_bill/|url-status=live}} In 2011, Patrick proposed new legislation that would require more stringent regulations on firearms. During an event surrounding the announcement, Patrick said one of his main goals was to "stop children from killing children."{{cite news|title=Deval Patrick: New gun laws needed to curb violence|url=http://bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20110509deval_patrick_new_gun_laws_needed_to_curb_violence|access-date=June 19, 2012|newspaper=Boston Herald|date=May 9, 2011|archive-date=September 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914182730/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20110509deval_patrick_new_gun_laws_needed_to_curb_violence/|url-status=live}} Patrick also reported that he would ask for $10 million in private and public funding to help "fill the gaps." Reacting to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, in 2013 Patrick proposed stricter gun control laws, including a limit of one firearm purchase a month and closing the gun show loophole.{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2013/01/16/mass-gov-patrick-outlines-new-gun-control-bill/5iyX9wlGAhVXz5d7dmyk6K/story.html|title=Mass. Gov. Patrick outlines new gun control bill|date=January 16, 2013|access-date=June 24, 2013|work=The Boston Globe|author=Steve LeBlanc|archive-date=January 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118061449/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2013/01/16/mass-gov-patrick-outlines-new-gun-control-bill/5iyX9wlGAhVXz5d7dmyk6K/story.html|url-status=live}}

File:Match-community-day-school 5541078470 o.jpg

Throughout his term in office, Patrick made achieving "world-class public education" a main priority of his administration.{{cite web|url=http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3subtopic&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Key+Priorities&L2=World-Class+Education+-+The+Readiness+Project&sid=Agov3|title=World-Class Education - The Readiness Project - Official Website of the Governor of Massachusetts|publisher=Mass.gov|date=June 25, 2008|access-date=April 9, 2011|archive-date=April 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409045059/http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3subtopic&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Key+Priorities&L2=World-Class+Education+-+The+Readiness+Project&sid=Agov3|url-status=live}} Patrick also committed a historic amount of public funds to Massachusetts schools, introduced legislation to tackle a persistent education gap among minority students, and won the national Race to the Top competition.{{cite news|url=https://boston.com/community/blogs/rock_the_schoolhouse/2010/08/massachusetts_gets_race_to_the.html|work=The Boston Globe|first=Jim|last=Stergios|title=Massachusetts gets Race to the Top grant|date=August 24, 2010|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=September 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909002522/http://www.boston.com/community/blogs/rock_the_schoolhouse/2010/08/massachusetts_gets_race_to_the.html|url-status=live}} Patrick now supports a doubling of the number of charter schools in Massachusetts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2009/07/16/patrick_wants_more_students_to_go_to_charter_schools|work=The Boston Globe|title=Patrick wants more charter schools|first=James|last=Vaznis|date=July 16, 2009|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305002501/http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2009/07/16/patrick_wants_more_students_to_go_to_charter_schools/|url-status=live}} In his first year in office, Patrick proposed making community college free to all Massachusetts high school graduates.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/06/01/patrick_seeks_free_two_year_state_colleges|work=The Boston Globe|title=Patrick seeks free two-year state colleges|date=June 1, 2007|first=Maria|last=Sacchetti|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145119/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/06/01/patrick_seeks_free_two_year_state_colleges/|url-status=live}}

On August 7, 2008, Patrick signed a $2.2 billion higher education bond bill with $1 billion directed towards the University of Massachusetts system and $1.2 billion to the state universities and community colleges.{{cite web|title=Patrick signs $2.2b higher education bond bill|date=August 8, 2008|publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst|url=https://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/patrick-signs-22b-higher-education-bond-bill|access-date=March 6, 2021}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} $100 million was directed towards the construction of the integrated sciences complex at the University of Massachusetts Boston and a second $100 million directed towards constructing a general academic building.{{cite book|last=Feldberg|first=Michael|title=UMass Boston at 50: A Fiftieth-Anniversary History of the University of Massachusetts Boston|publisher=University of Massachusetts Press|place=Amherst, Massachusetts|year=2015|pages=177–179|isbn=978-1625341693}} On October 23, 2014, Patrick spoke at the university in celebration of the science complex that would be completed the following January.{{cite news|title=Governor Patrick Celebrates New Integrated Sciences Complex at UMass Boston|work=UMass Boston News|url=https://www.umb.edu/news/detail/governor_patrick_celebrates_new_integrated_sciences_complex_at_umass_boston|date=October 23, 2014|access-date=August 20, 2017|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820202532/https://www.umb.edu/news/detail/governor_patrick_celebrates_new_integrated_sciences_complex_at_umass_boston|url-status=live}} On June 4, 2015, the university honored Patrick at the university's Golden Gala at the Boston Seaport World Trade Center and Patrick would return to the campus out of office on May 4, 2016, to meet with students from the university's new School for Global Inclusion and Social Development.{{cite news|title=UMass Boston to Honor Deval Patrick at Golden Gala|work=UMass Boston News|url=https://www.umb.edu/news/detail/umass_boston_to_honor_deval_patrick_at_golden_gala|date=June 1, 2015|access-date=August 20, 2017|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820202442/https://www.umb.edu/news/detail/umass_boston_to_honor_deval_patrick_at_golden_gala|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Pinkert|first=Anna|title=UMass Boston Honors Deval Patrick, Introduces Just Imagine Campaign at Golden Gala|work=UMass Boston News|url=https://www.umb.edu/news/detail/umass_boston_honors_deval_patrick_introduces_just_imagine_campaign|date=June 5, 2015|access-date=August 20, 2017|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820091214/https://www.umb.edu/news/detail/umass_boston_honors_deval_patrick_introduces_just_imagine_campaign|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Former Governor Deval Patrick Visits Campus|work=UMass Boston News|url=https://www.umb.edu/news/detail/former_governor_deval_patrick_visits_campus|date=May 10, 2016|access-date=August 20, 2017|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820202517/https://www.umb.edu/news/detail/former_governor_deval_patrick_visits_campus|url-status=live}}

As of 2005, Patrick favored the legalization of same-sex marriage because of the fundamental principle that "citizens come before their government as equals".[http://www.devalpatrick.com/speechtext.cfm?ID=12 Address to SEIU Local 509 Annual Convention] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061129201852/http://www.devalpatrick.com/speechtext.cfm?ID=12 |date=November 29, 2006 }} at the Wyndham Hotel, Westborough, Massachusetts, on October 29, 2005, DevalPatrick.com{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/11/19/healey_backs_proposed_constitutional_ban_on_gay_marriage|title=Healey backs proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage|website=The Boston Globe|date=November 19, 2005|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305000501/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/11/19/healey_backs_proposed_constitutional_ban_on_gay_marriage/|url-status=live}} He worked with the state legislature to prevent a ballot measure eliminating same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, which protected the state's first-in-the-nation same-sex marriage allowance.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/06/15/right_of_gays_to_marry_set_for_years_to_come|work=The Boston Globe|title=Right of gays to marry set for years to come|first1=Frank|last1=Phillips|first2=Andrea|last2=Estes|date=June 15, 2007|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004959/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/06/15/right_of_gays_to_marry_set_for_years_to_come/|url-status=live}}

Patrick proposed a bill that would streamline Massachusetts' permit appeals process for wind energy projects. The Wind Energy Siting Reform bill would reduce the permitting process to nine to 19 months.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/11/03/mass_seeks_easier_review_process_for_mired_down_wind_energy_projects/?page=2|work=The Boston Globe|title=State presses wind projects|first=David|last=Abel|date=November 3, 2009|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304231755/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/11/03/mass_seeks_easier_review_process_for_mired_down_wind_energy_projects/?page=2|url-status=live}}

Patrick made expanding renewable energy a focus of his second term, but faced a setback when lawmakers failed to raise caps on solar generation in Massachusetts and to expand the amount of hydropower purchased by utility companies from Canada.{{cite web|last1=Fitzgerald|first1=Jay|title=Legislature deals setback to Patrick on energy bills|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/08/01/legislature-deals-setback-patrick-energy-bills/BTcwHqon2lejNTNl0B3FeJ/story.html|website=www.bostonglobe.com|publisher=The Boston Globe|access-date=August 2, 2014|archive-date=August 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808053939/http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/08/01/legislature-deals-setback-patrick-energy-bills/BTcwHqon2lejNTNl0B3FeJ/story.html|url-status=live}}

File:Longfellow Bridge, Governor Patrick, June 21, 2010 (4721712441).jpg in June 2010]]

The legislatively chartered Transportation Finance Commission (TFC) reported in 2007 that over the next 20 years there would be $15–$19 billion gap between revenues and necessary expenditures, just to maintain the existing transportation system in Massachusetts. The Commission identified several reforms and revenue options to close the gap.{{cite web|title=Transportation Finance in Massachusetts: Volume 2 Building a Sustainable Transportation Financing System/Recommendations of the Massachusetts Transportation Finance Commission|date=September 17, 2007 |url=http://www.eot.state.ma.us/downloads/tfc/TFC_Recommendations.pdf|website=Eot.state.ma.us|access-date=May 31, 2017 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107233334/http://www.eot.state.ma.us/downloads/tfc/TFC_Recommendations.pdf|archive-date=January 7, 2011}} The Patrick administration lobbied for and passed a major transportation reform bill,{{cite web|title=Chapter 25 of the Acts of 2009 / An Act Modernizing the Transportation Systems of the Commonwealth|url=http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw09/sl090025.htm|website=Mass.gov|access-date=May 31, 2017|archive-date=October 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007075227/http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2009/Chapter25|url-status=live}} which incorporated many of the TFC-recommended reforms, and which created the Massachusetts Department of Transportation by merging smaller transportation agencies.

Patrick proposed raising the state gas tax by 19¢ per gallon to forestall Massachusetts Turnpike toll and MBTA fare increases, fully fund Regional Transit Authority and Turnpike operations, and address part of the capital shortfall identified by the TFC,{{cite web|url=http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Media+Center&L2=Speeches&sid=Agov3&b=terminalcontent&f=text_2009-02-20_transmessage&csid=Agov3|title=Governor's Message on Transportation and Economic Security Plan|publisher=Mass.gov|access-date=April 9, 2011|archive-date=April 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409174428/http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Media+Center&L2=Speeches&sid=Agov3&b=terminalcontent&f=text_2009-02-20_transmessage&csid=Agov3|url-status=live}} but this was defeated in the state legislature. Instead, a sales tax increase of 1.25% was passed, with part of that dedicated to transportation. This was enough to prevent the short-term toll and fare increases, but did not address the long-term funding gap. Patrick has been a supporter of the South Coast Rail project.{{cite web|url=http://mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=19588&month=&year=|title=About the MBTA > News & Events|publisher=MBTA|access-date=April 9, 2011|archive-date=March 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327044141/http://mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=19588&month=&year=|url-status=live}}

In response to the influx of children from Central America crossing the US border in the summer of 2014, Patrick proposed taking 1,000 migrants to be housed at various sites in Massachusetts, until they can be processed at immigration centers.{{cite news|last1=Schworm|first1=Peter|title=US vows 'minimal' effect of migrants|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/07/27/government-assures-minimal-local-impact-temporary-housing-facilities-for-immigrants-minimal/t1MxtwRb5v3iSdNlGVT3sN/story.html|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=July 28, 2014|access-date=July 28, 2014|archive-date=July 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728171655/http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/07/27/government-assures-minimal-local-impact-temporary-housing-facilities-for-immigrants-minimal/t1MxtwRb5v3iSdNlGVT3sN/story.html|url-status=live}}

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Right: Mo Cowan (D), Patrick's second Senate appointment.

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On September 24, 2009, Patrick appointed Paul G. Kirk as the interim U.S. senator in the wake of Ted Kennedy's death.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/09/kirk_to_be_name.html|work=The Boston Globe|title=Kirk named to fill Kennedy seat|first1=Matt|last1=Viser|first2=Frank|last2=Phillips|first3=Andrew|last3=Ryan|date=September 24, 2009|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=April 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406225631/http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/09/kirk_to_be_name.html|url-status=live}}

On January 30, 2013, Patrick chose his former chief-of-staff Mo Cowan to serve as interim U.S. senator until a special election to fill the seat left vacant by Secretary of State designate John Kerry.{{cite web|title=William 'Mo' Cowan is Governor Deval Patrick's pick to serve as interim US senator|url=https://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/01/30/patrick-tap-cowan-interim-senator/0dFtO6tg5pnvg6WiLgw7dL/story.html|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=January 30, 2013|archive-date=February 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204012354/http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/01/30/patrick-tap-cowan-interim-senator/0dFtO6tg5pnvg6WiLgw7dL/story.html|url-status=live}}

{{Criticism section|date=May 2025}}

In the early months of Patrick's administration, a series of decisions the governor later conceded as "missteps" brought substantial unfavorable press. These included spending almost $11,000 on drapery for the governor's state house suite, changing the state's customary car lease from a Ford Crown Victoria to a Cadillac. Patrick responded in a February 20, 2007, press conference that "I realize I cannot in good conscience ask the agencies to make those choices without being willing to make them myself."[https://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/02/21/patrick_to_repay_taxpayers_for_decor "Patrick to repay taxpayers for decor $10,000 spent for drapes; governor to offset car costs."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911020002/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/02/21/patrick_to_repay_taxpayers_for_decor/ |date=September 11, 2015 }}, Frank Phillips and Andrea Estes, The Boston Globe, February 21, 2007; retrieved March 17, 2007. Patrick subsequently reimbursed the Commonwealth for the cost of the drapery and furniture purchased for the statehouse, and the additional monthly difference in his car lease.

Later in the same month Patrick again came under fire, this time for contacting Citigroup Executive Committee chair and former Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin on behalf of the financially beleaguered mortgage company Ameriquest, a subsidiary of ACC Capital Holdings, that had been accused of predatory lending practices and of which Patrick is a former board member. Both Citigroup and ACC Capital Holdings have substantial holdings in Massachusetts.{{cite web|first=Martha|last=Bebinger|url=http://www.wbur.org/2007/03/07/patricks-bad-call|title=Patrick's Bad Call|website=WBUR.org|date=March 7, 2007|access-date=March 17, 2007|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714174629/http://www.wbur.org/2007/03/07/patricks-bad-call|url-status=live}} Patrick attempted to deflect criticism, claiming he was calling not as governor but as a private citizen. Later Patrick backed down, stating "I appreciate that I should not have made the call. I regret the mistake."

On September 17, 2014, Patrick fired the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board chair Saundra Edwards and placed director Jeanne Holmes on paid administrative leave because they had pressured the board to force Bernard Sigh – Patrick's brother-in-law – to register as a sex offender. Sigh had pleaded guilty to raping his wife (Patrick's sister) in California in 1993 and neglected to register as a sex offender when he later moved to Massachusetts.{{cite news|first=Erin|last=Smith|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2014/09/advocates_livid_about_rape_ruling_on_gov_deval_patricks_brother|title=Advocates livid about rape ruling on Gov. Deval Patrick's brother-in-law|newspaper=Boston Herald|date=September 24, 2014|access-date=May 30, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202041149/http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2014/09/advocates_livid_about_rape_ruling_on_gov_deval_patricks_brother|url-status=live}} Sigh assaulted his wife again in 2017; in June 2019 he was convicted of rape, stalking, kidnapping, and witness intimidation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/06/13/deval-patricks-brother-in-law-found-guilty-in-kidnapping-rape-case/|title=Deval Patrick's brother-in-law found guilty in kidnapping, rape case|date=2019-06-13|website=Boston Herald|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-26|archive-date=January 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126102200/https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/06/13/deval-patricks-brother-in-law-found-guilty-in-kidnapping-rape-case/|url-status=live}}

In June 2015, the Boston Herald reported that Patrick's administration secretly diverted nearly $27 million in government funds to off-budget accounts that paid for trade junkets tab, advertising contracts, and a deal with a federally subsidized tourism venture backed by U.S. Sen. Harry Reid.{{cite news |first=Joe|last=Battenfeld|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_politics/2015/06/hidden_junket_funds_how_deval_patrick_secretly_diverted_millions |access-date=June 11, 2015 |date=June 10, 2015|url-status=dead |title=Hidden junket funds: How Deval Patrick secretly diverted millions to off-budget accounts|newspaper=Boston Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612124806/http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_politics/2015/06/hidden_junket_funds_how_deval_patrick_secretly_diverted_millions |archive-date=June 12, 2015}} According to the Herald, state legislators never approved the funding, which began in 2009 when Patrick's office directed quasi-public state agencies, including the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and Massport to begin funding off-budget trusts.{{cite web |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/sites/default/files/media/2015/06/10/trackingexgovmoneystash.pdf |title=Follow The Money |newspaper=Boston Herald |date=June 10, 2015 |access-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033023/http://www.bostonherald.com/sites/default/files/media/2015/06/10/trackingexgovmoneystash.pdf |url-status=live }} A week later, the Boston Globe quoted Representative David Linsky, chair of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Post Audit and Oversight Committee, as saying that, upon review, the expenditures were either approved by the state legislature or permissible under the state's budget rules and that they violated no applicable law.{{cite news|first=David|last=Scharfenberg|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/06/18/lawmaker-evidence-patrick-budget-wrongdoing/IYv9VbxEWDA16fhyUpcUeM/story.html|title=No evidence of Patrick budget wrongdoing, lawmaker says|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=November 16, 2016|archive-date=November 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117024546/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/06/18/lawmaker-evidence-patrick-budget-wrongdoing/IYv9VbxEWDA16fhyUpcUeM/story.html|url-status=live}}

In 2014, Patrick signed a law requiring health insurers to extend coverage to people struggling with drug addiction by covering up to two weeks of inpatient treatment. The bill was seen in the broader context of state government battling the soaring opioid drug abuse rates, following a $20 million package introduced in June consisting of proposals targeting the problem.{{cite news|last1=Malone|first1=Scott|title=Massachusetts governor signs measure expanding drug treatment|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-heroin-massachusetts-idUSKBN0G62FH20140806|access-date=September 15, 2014|newspaper=Reuters|date=August 6, 2014|archive-date=August 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813235944/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/06/us-usa-heroin-massachusetts-idUSKBN0G62FH20140806|url-status=live}} In the same year, Patrick signed a bill that would allow police to order anti-abortion protesters away from clinic entrances, if hindering public access.{{cite news|last1=Malone|first1=Scott|title=Massachusetts governor signs law limiting protests at abortion clinics|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-abortion-massachusetts-idUSKBN0FZ2G520140730|work=Reuters|date=July 30, 2014|access-date=September 15, 2014|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310140105/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-abortion-massachusetts-idUSKBN0FZ2G520140730|url-status=live}}

On August 4, 2010, Patrick signed into law a bill adjoining Massachusetts to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.{{cite web |title=Massachusetts |date=February 2016 |url=https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/state/ma |publisher=National Popular Vote Inc. |access-date=17 July 2021 |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403212442/https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/state/ma |url-status=live }}

File:Deval Patrick DNC 2008.jpg]]

During the 2008 Democratic primaries, Patrick came to the defense of presidential candidate Barack Obama following plagiarism allegations that key phrases from an Obama stump speech were very similar to words used during Patrick's own 2006 gubernatorial run. The claims were largely dismissed after Patrick explained that he had encouraged their use.{{cite web |url=http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Deval_Patrick_I_asked_Obama_to_0219.html |title=Deval Patrick: I asked Obama to use my words |website=The Raw Story |access-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-date=April 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422095138/http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Deval_Patrick_I_asked_Obama_to_0219.html |url-status=live }}

After Obama's 2008 election as president, speculation arose that Patrick would be chosen by Obama to serve as United States Attorney General, but the post ultimately went to Eric Holder.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/30/deval-patrick-obamas-atto_n_137712.html|title=Obama Attorney General: Deval Patrick?|date=October 30, 2008|access-date=June 25, 2013|work=The Huffington Post|archive-date=January 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118234336/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/30/deval-patrick-obamas-atto_n_137712.html|url-status=live}}

During the 2012 presidential election, Patrick served as a surrogate for the Obama campaign. Patrick generated controversy when he took a position that directly opposed that of the campaign,{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/31/deval-patrick-bain-capital-massachusetts-governor_n_1560168.html|title=Deval Patrick, Democratic Governor, Creates Obama Campaign Headache By Defending Bain (UPDATE)|date=May 31, 2012|access-date=June 24, 2013|author=Zach Carter|work=The Huffington Post|archive-date=October 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022215628/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/31/deval-patrick-bain-capital-massachusetts-governor_n_1560168.html|url-status=live}} defending the business practices of the Boston-based private equity firm Bain Capital, which was founded by Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee.

Following the 2012 presidential election, Patrick was considered to be a potential successor to Holder,{{cite web|last1=Silva|first1=Cristina|title=Who Will Replace Eric Holder? Deval Patrick, Arne Duncan, Don Verrilli, James Cole Among Potential Attorney General Candidates|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/who-will-replace-eric-holder-deval-patrick-arne-duncan-don-verrilli-james-cole-among-1695030|work=International Business Times|access-date=February 24, 2015|date=September 25, 2014|archive-date=February 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224092325/http://www.ibtimes.com/who-will-replace-eric-holder-deval-patrick-arne-duncan-don-verrilli-james-cole-among-1695030|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/20134635-452/obama-eyes-gov-deval-patrick-to-replace-eric-holder-at-justice.html|title=Obama eyes Gov. Deval Patrick to replace Eric Holder at Justice|author=Michael Sneed|date=May 15, 2013|access-date=June 25, 2013|work=Chicago Sun-Times|archive-date=June 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607205741/http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/20134635-452/obama-eyes-gov-deval-patrick-to-replace-eric-holder-at-justice.html|url-status=live}} although Patrick had said he would not consider any other position as long as he remained governor.{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2012/11/14/deval-patrick-says-would-not-resign-governor-become-president-obama-attorney-general/Ows28Y5UbJr8sMoxlns0sJ/story.html|title=Deval Patrick says he would not resign as governor to become President Obama's attorney general|date=November 14, 2012|access-date=June 25, 2013|work=The Boston Globe|author=Glen Johnson|archive-date=January 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118062658/http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2012/11/14/deval-patrick-says-would-not-resign-governor-become-president-obama-attorney-general/Ows28Y5UbJr8sMoxlns0sJ/story.html|url-status=live}} Speculation grew once again in September 2014, when Holder announced his intention to step down.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/us/politics/eric-holder-resigning-as-attorney-general.html?_r=0|title=Attorney General Eric Holder, Prominent Liberal Voice in Obama Administration, Is Resigning|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=September 25, 2014|author=Matt Apuzzo & Michael D. Shear|date=September 25, 2014 |archive-date=September 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925183025/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/us/politics/eric-holder-resigning-as-attorney-general.html?_r=0|url-status=live}} The position was subsequently given to Loretta Lynch.

In March 2016, Patrick was named by USA Today as a possible Obama nominee to fill the U.S. Supreme Court associate justice seat, vacated by the February 2016 death of Antonin Scalia.{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/who-could-replace-scalia-here-are-10-names/ar-BBptsEf?li=BBnb7Kz |title=Who could replace Scalia? Here are 10 names |website=MSN |access-date=February 14, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216193806/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/who-could-replace-scalia-here-are-10-names/ar-BBptsEf?li=BBnb7Kz |archive-date=February 16, 2016 }}

File:Exchange-of-symbols-10715 16849715596 o (1).jpg, on the day of Baker's gubernatorial inauguration]]

Following his career as governor, Patrick joined the private equity firm Bain Capital in 2015 as a founding partner of the Bain Capital Double Impact Fund. He served as the fund's managing director from 2015 until November 2019, when he left Bain Capital and ran for president.{{cite web |last1=Meyer |first1=Theodoric |title=Inside Deval Patrick's time at Bain Capital |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/12/deval-patrick-bain-083986 |website=Politico |access-date=7 August 2023 |language=en |date=12 December 2019}} He returned impact unit of Bain Capital in 2021 as an advisor.{{cite web |last1=Shah |first1=Snehal |last2=Mitchenall |first2=Toby |title=Patrick returns to Bain's impact unit as advisor |url=https://www.newprivatemarkets.com/patrick-returns-to-bains-impact-unit-as-advisor/ |website=New Private Markets |access-date=7 August 2023 |date=26 May 2021}}

As head of the fund, Patrick set an target of raising $250 million. Patrick announced in 2018 that the fund had raised $39 million. The fund then invested in relatively small companies. Patrick claimed that such businesses were focused on in order to, "generate both a private-equity-style return —a financial return— and measurable impact in one of three areas: sustainability, health and wellness, and what we’re describing as community building." The fund took the rare action of disclosing the impact scores it had internally assessed for each company it invested in, an unusually action of transparency among mainstream private equity firms.

Patrick also joined the board of directors of telehealth company American Well.

In November 2016, it was announced that Patrick had been appointed to the board of directors of the Obama Foundation.{{cite web |url=https://www.barackobamafoundation.org/news/entry/addition-of-governor-deval-patrick-to-board |title=Obama Foundation Announces Addition of Governor Deval Patrick to the Board of Directors |publisher=Obama Foundation |date=November 22, 2016 |access-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-date=December 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226055248/https://www.barackobamafoundation.org/news/entry/addition-of-governor-deval-patrick-to-board |url-status=live }} Patrick became the chairman of the board for Our Generation Speaks, a fellowship program and startup incubator whose mission is to bring together young Israeli and Palestinian leaders through entrepreneurship.

Patrick was involved in the Boston 2024 organization, which was in charge of Boston's bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics.{{cite web |last1=Service |first1=State House News |title=Deval Patrick will get $7,500 per day for Boston 2024 Olympics work |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/boston/2015/03/deval_patrick_will_get_7500_pe.html |website=Masslive |access-date=20 October 2021 |language=en |date=10 March 2015 |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403220805/https://www.masslive.com/news/boston/2015/03/deval_patrick_will_get_7500_pe.html |url-status=live }}

In April 2021, Patrick launched the Future of Tech Commission with Common Sense Media founder Jim Steyer and former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. The commission's goal is to compile solutions for a comprehensive tech policy agenda under President Biden and Congress on topics as privacy, antitrust, digital dequity, and content moderation/platform accountability.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-tech/2021/04/13/the-commission-to-shape-bidens-tech-agenda-794632|title=The commission to shape Biden's tech agenda|website=Politico|date=April 13, 2021|author=Emily Birnbaum|access-date=January 29, 2022|archive-date=January 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129201423/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-tech/2021/04/13/the-commission-to-shape-bidens-tech-agenda-794632|url-status=live}} In January 2022, Patrick became the co-director of the Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public leadership. He also became a professor of the practice of public leadership at the school.{{cite web |title=Former Gov. Deval Patrick to join Harvard Kennedy School |url=https://apnews.com/article/education-massachusetts-harvard-deval-patrick-douglas-elmendorf-108f99b291773fc3e2ae3328988b2214 |website=The Associated Press |access-date=7 August 2023 |language=en |date=25 January 2022}}

File:Chicago Police Accountability Task Force Meeting -3 (24616328174).jpg on February 23, 2016]]

At the start of December 2015, it was announced that Patrick had been selected by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to serve as senior advisor to the Chicago Police Accountability Task Force. The task force was established by Emanuel in the aftermath of the murder of Laquan McDonald at the hands of an on-duty police officer, and was tasked with reviewing accountability, oversight, and training within the Chicago Police Department.Two sources:

• {{cite web |last1=Dwyer |first1=Dialynn |title=Deval Patrick will serve as senior advisor to Chicago police accountability task force |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2015/12/01/deval-patrick-will-serve-as-senior-advisor-to-chicago-police-accountability-task-force/ |website=Boston.com |access-date=7 August 2023 |date=December 1, 2015}}
• {{cite web |last1=Dumcius |first1=Gintautas |title=Chicago mayor taps former Gov. Patrick for police task force |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2015/12/chicago_mayor_rahm_emanuel_tap.html |website=MassLive |access-date=7 August 2023 |language=en |date=1 December 2015}} The task force completed its efforts in April 2016, with task force head Lori Lightfoot unveiling its final report at a press conference held on April 13.{{cite web |last1=Hinkel |first1=Dan |last2=Ruthhart |first2=Bill |title=Chicago police task force recommends sweeping changes in department |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-police-accountability-task-force-met-0414-20160413-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=7 August 2023 |date=13 April 2016}}

File:Deval Patrick at the unveiling of "The Embrace" 52625372826 o (1).jpg monument]]

Following Patrick's speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, a reporter asked if Patrick was interested in a 2016 presidential bid. He responded that he intended to return to the private sector after completing his second term as governor.{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/deval-patrick-i-like-being-the-boss-but-2016-presidential-run-not-happening/ |title=Deval Patrick: 'I Like Being the Boss' but 2016 Presidential Run Not Happening |work=ABC News |date=September 5, 2012 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |author=Karl, Jonathan |author-link=Jonathan Karl |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017094020/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/deval-patrick-i-like-being-the-boss-but-2016-presidential-run-not-happening/ |url-status=live }} In July 2013, Patrick unequivocally ruled out a 2016 presidential bid.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/07/16/patrick-says-not-running-for-president/yIAJSe0SBsPQgK599lmY8K/story.html|title=Patrick rules out White House run|work=The Boston Globe|date=July 16, 2013|access-date=July 25, 2013|author=Miller, Joshua|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718104207/http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/07/16/patrick-says-not-running-for-president/yIAJSe0SBsPQgK599lmY8K/story.html|archive-date=July 18, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2013/07/17/deval_patrick_says_he_wont_run_for_president_119257.html|title=Deval Patrick Says He Won't Run for President|work=RealClearPolitics|date=July 17, 2013|access-date=July 25, 2013|author=Conroy, Scott|archive-date=August 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817172813/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2013/07/17/deval_patrick_says_he_wont_run_for_president_119257.html|url-status=live}} Patrick, indeed, did not run for president in 2016.

On February 28, 2018, in response to reports that David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett wanted him to run for president in 2020, Patrick stated on public radio that it was "on my radar screen".{{cite news |last1=Kraske |first1=Steve |title=Is Deval Patrick Democrats' Next Big Hope? |url=https://www.kcur.org/post/seg-1-discrimination-and-american-dream-seg-2-deval-patrick-democrats-next-big-hope#stream/0 |access-date=February 3, 2019 |work=NPR KCUR 89.3 |date=February 28, 2018 |archive-date=February 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204023514/https://www.kcur.org/post/seg-1-discrimination-and-american-dream-seg-2-deval-patrick-democrats-next-big-hope#stream/0 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last1=Levenson|first1=Michael|title=Deval Patrick says a 2020 presidential run is 'on my radar screen'|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/03/06/deval-patrick-says-presidential-run-radar-screen/YurDvBBJ6vvyxcw3Ie1FqM/story.html?s_campaign=bostonglobe%3Asocialflow%3Atwitter|website=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 7, 2018|date=March 6, 2018|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307214401/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/03/06/deval-patrick-says-presidential-run-radar-screen/YurDvBBJ6vvyxcw3Ie1FqM/story.html?s_campaign=bostonglobe%3Asocialflow%3Atwitter|url-status=live}} On December 6, 2018, Patrick formally stated via Facebook that he would not be running for president in 2020, writing, "I’ve been overwhelmed by advice and encouragement from people from all over the country, known and unknown. Humbled, in fact. But knowing that the cruelty of our elections process would ultimately splash back on people whom Diane and I love, but who hadn't signed up for the journey, was more than I could ask."{{cite web |last1=Patrick |first1=Deval |title=2020 Presidential Candidacy Decision |url=https://www.facebook.com/DevalPatrick/posts/10155021358512614 |website=Facebook |access-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112010132/https://www.facebook.com/DevalPatrick/posts/10155021358512614 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Levenson |first1=Michael |last2=McGrane |first2=Victoria |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2018/12/05/deval-patrick-will-not-run-for-president/Bds41bfsSvGNBaSVhz2PyO/story.html |title=Deval Patrick isn't running for president in 2020, citing 'the cruelty of our elections process' |work=The Boston Globe |date=December 6, 2018 |access-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205170408/https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2018/12/05/deval-patrick-will-not-run-for-president/Bds41bfsSvGNBaSVhz2PyO/story.html |url-status=live }}

On November 11, 2019, however, The New York Times reported that Patrick was considering making a late entry into the presidential race.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/11/us/politics/deval-patrick-2020-president.html|title=Deval Patrick, Ex-Governor of Massachusetts, Is Considering 2020 Presidential Race|last=Martin|first=Jonathan|date=November 11, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 12, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112001149/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/11/us/politics/deval-patrick-2020-president.html|url-status=live}} Two days later, it was reported that Patrick would file to run, beginning with New Hampshire.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/13/us/politics/deval-patrick-2020.html|title=Deval Patrick Tells Democrats He Will Run in 2020 Presidential Race|work=The New York Times|date=November 13, 2019|access-date=November 13, 2019|archive-date=November 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113204256/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/13/us/politics/deval-patrick-2020.html|url-status=live}} The next day, on November 14, Patrick officially announced that he would enter the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries. His campaign manager was Abe Rakov.{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/14/deval-patrick-new-hampshire-primary-070947|title='A Hail Mary from two stadiums over': Patrick faces harsh reality in N.H.|work=Politico|date=November 14, 2019|access-date=November 21, 2019|author=Trent Spiner|archive-date=November 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116123840/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/14/deval-patrick-new-hampshire-primary-070947|url-status=live}}

Patrick's second scheduled public event since announcing his candidacy, a speech at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia on November 20, 2019, was cancelled when only two people showed up. The event, however, was scheduled with only twenty-four hours notice, and preceded the Democratic presidential primary debate that same night and only a few miles away.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/nov/21/deval-patrick-cancels-presidential-campaign-stop-a/|title=Deval Patrick cancels presidential campaign stop after two people attend|work=The Washington Times|date=November 21, 2019|access-date=November 22, 2019|author=Bailey Vogt|archive-date=November 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122152403/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/nov/21/deval-patrick-cancels-presidential-campaign-stop-a/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2019/11/20/deval-patrick-morehouse-event/|title=Deval Patrick was supposed to speak at an Atlanta college. Then almost no one showed up.|work=The Boston Globe |date=November 20, 2019|access-date=November 24, 2019|author=Nik DeCosta-Klipa|archive-date=November 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122154500/https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2019/11/20/deval-patrick-morehouse-event|url-status=live}}

Deval Patrick's first campaign ads started January 8 in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. He spent $100,000 in ads in New Hampshire and $60,000 in South Carolina. Patrick generally polled under 1% in support among voters. For instance, despite a 29% approval rating in New Hampshire, he enjoyed support from only 1% of voters, according to a WBUR-FM poll; a November Quinnipiac poll in South Carolina produced similar results. Morning Consult reported that 46% of Democratic primary voters had never heard of him.{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Maya |title=Deval Patrick makes first ad buy |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/03/deval-patrick-ad-buy-093287 |website=Politico |date=January 3, 2020 |access-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104045628/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/03/deval-patrick-ad-buy-093287 |url-status=live }}

Patrick attempted to position himself as a politically-moderate choice. He opposed Medicare for All, instead supporting the addition of a public option to the existing Affordable Care Act. Describing his economic philosophy as a candidate, Patrick once declared, "I’m a capitalist. I’m not a market fundamentalist. I don’t think private markets in the private sector solves every problem that needs to be solved in our society right on time."{{cite web |last1=Bradner |first1=Dan Merica, Eric |title=First on CNN: Deval Patrick ends 2020 presidential campaign {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/12/politics/deval-patrick-ends-campaign/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=7 August 2023 |language=en |date=12 February 2020}}

Following a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary on February 12, 2020, Patrick suspended his campaign.{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/12/deval-patrick-ends-presidential-bid-114532|title=Deval Patrick ends longshot presidential bid|date=February 12, 2020|work=Politico|access-date=March 2, 2020|language=en|author=Caitlin Oprysko|archive-date=March 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317035800/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/12/deval-patrick-ends-presidential-bid-114532|url-status=live}}

File:Governor-healey-joins-predecessors-to-celebrate-governor-dukakis-legacy 53663115686 o (Weld, Patrick, Healey).jpg (right) and former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld (left)]]

In May 2020, Patrick announced that he had launched TogetherFundPAC, a super PAC in support of Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.{{cite web |title=Former Gov. Deval Patrick launches PAC to support Joe Biden |url=https://apnews.com/article/6c6330aa7d234f9a5a1d677dae8b0de6&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1687548134431965&usg=AOvVaw3tsoWrUpYz_PCt8aFgXibI |website=The Associated Press |access-date=7 August 2023 |language=en |date=14 May 2020}}

On July 6, 2024, during an interview with CNN, Patrick said he would stand by President Joe Biden. But if he steps down, he would be open to running.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-06 |title=Deval Patrick Supports Biden, But Open To Nomination If Needed |url=https://www.inkl.com/news/deval-patrick-supports-biden-but-open-to-nomination-if-needed |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=inkl |language=en}}

{{cite web | url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/deval-patrick-joe-biden-democrats-massachusetts/61522811 | title=Deval Patrick wants 'competitive process' if Biden withdraws | date=July 6, 2024 }}

{{Election box begin

|title=Democratic gubernatorial primary 2006}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Deval Patrick

|votes = 452,229

|percentage = 49.57%

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Chris Gabrieli

|votes = 248,301

|percentage = 27.22%

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Tom Reilly

|votes = 211,031

|percentage = 23.13%

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=Massachusetts Gubernatorial Election 2006}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Deval Patrick

|votes = 1,234,984

|percentage = 55.6

|change = +10.66

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Kerry Healey

|votes = 784,342

|percentage = 35.3

|change = -14.47

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Christy Mihos

|votes = 154,628

|percentage = 6.9

|change = +6.2

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{election box begin|title=Massachusetts Gubernatorial Election 2010{{cite web|url=http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/rov10.pdf|title=2010 Return of Votes Complete Statistics|date=December 1, 2010|access-date=December 4, 2010|publisher=Massachusetts Elections Division|archive-date=December 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226041230/http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/rov10.pdf|url-status=live}}}}

{{election box candidate with party link

|party=Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate=Deval Patrick

|votes=1,112,283

|percentage=48.42

|change=–7.21}}

{{election box candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Charlie Baker

|votes=964,866

|percentage=42.00

|change=+6.67}}

{{election box candidate with party link

|party=Independent (politician)

|candidate=Tim Cahill

|votes=184,395

|percentage=8.03

|change=+1.06}}

{{election box end}}

Patrick and his wife, Diane Patrick, a lawyer specializing in labor and employment law, married in 1984. They have lived in Milton, Massachusetts, since 1989 and have two daughters, Sarah and Katherine. In July 2008, Katherine publicly announced that she is lesbian, and mentioned that her father did not know this while he was fighting against a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would have banned same-sex marriage. In a joint interview Patrick expressed support for his daughter and said he was proud of her.{{cite web |url=http://www.baywindows.com/with-love-and-pride-governor-deval-patricks-daughter-comes-out-publicly-75834 |title=With love and pride, Governor Deval Patrick's daughter comes out publicly |date=July 12, 2008 |publisher=Bay Windows |author=Laura Kiritsy |access-date=August 2, 2008 |archive-date=September 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902202013/http://www.baywindows.com/with-love-and-pride-governor-deval-patricks-daughter-comes-out-publicly-75834 |url-status=live }} In September 2011, his daughter Sarah married Marco Morgese, a former Italian soldier. On May 20, 2013, Patrick became a grandfather when Sarah gave birth to a son, Gianluca Noah Patrick Morgese.{{cite news |last=Levenson |first=Michael |date=May 20, 2013 |title=Governor Patrick now a grandfather |url=https://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2013/05/20/governor-patrick-now-grandfather/vzAqRxJRlPbHcizlkiASVP/story.html |newspaper=Boston Globe |location=Boston |access-date=September 26, 2015 |quote=The governor’s office announced today that Patrick’s eldest daughter, Sarah Baker Patrick Morgese, and her husband, Marco Morgese, welcomed a baby boy this morning. |archive-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927072923/http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2013/05/20/governor-patrick-now-grandfather/vzAqRxJRlPbHcizlkiASVP/story.html |url-status=live }}

In addition to his Milton home, Patrick and his family own a home in Richmond, Massachusetts.{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/realestate/news/articles/2008/07/27/camp_david___or_is_it_camp_deval___in_the_berkshires/ |work=The Boston Globe |first=Matt |last=Viser |title=Camp David - or is it Camp Deval? - in the Berkshires |date=July 27, 2008 |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304220134/http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/articles/2008/07/27/camp_david___or_is_it_camp_deval___in_the_berkshires/ |url-status=live }} In 2013, Illinois governor Pat Quinn renamed a part of Wabash Avenue in Chicago, where Patrick grew up, "Deval Patrick Way" in Patrick's honor.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/06/06/illinois-governor-rename-part-wabash-avenue-chicago-deval-patrick-way/giwkLg9Kp1qFs4nskIZdAM/story.html|title=Illinois governor to rename part of Wabash Avenue in Chicago "Deval Patrick Way"|author=Michael Levenson|date=June 6, 2013|access-date=June 25, 2013|work=The Boston Globe|archive-date=June 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611170337/http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/06/06/illinois-governor-rename-part-wabash-avenue-chicago-deval-patrick-way/giwkLg9Kp1qFs4nskIZdAM/story.html|url-status=live}} On May 28, 2015, Patrick was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by Harvard University.{{cite web |last=Pazzanese |first=Christina |url=http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2015/05/ten-to-receive-honorary-degrees/ |title=Ten to receive honorary degrees | Harvard Gazette |website=News.harvard.edu |date=May 28, 2015 |access-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623113120/https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2015/05/ten-to-receive-honorary-degrees/ |url-status=live }}

• Barack Obama Supreme Court candidates
• List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Deval Patrick}}

{{Wikiquote|Deval Patrick}}

• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20200126031534/https://devalpatrick2020.com/ Deval for All]}} official presidential campaign website
• [https://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-529-dj58c9sb90 “In Black America; National Association Of Black Journalists Dallas Fort-Worth/ABC with Deval Patrick],” 1996-10-01, KUT Radio, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (WGBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC
• {{C-SPAN|34207}}

{{CongLinks|fec=P00014407}}

;Speeches

• [https://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/11/08/transcript_of_deval_patricks_acceptance/ Transcript of Patrick's 2006 acceptance speech] The Boston Globe, November 8, 2006
• [https://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip_529-dj58c9sb90 Speech by Deval Patrick] at the 21st annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists on KUT's "In Black America" radio series, October 1, 1996, at the American Archive of Public Broadcasting

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