Patrick O'Connor (Massachusetts politician)
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Patrick O'Connor
| honorific-suffix =
| image = File:Plymouth & Norfolk State Senator Patrick M. O'Connor.png
| image_size =
| alt =
| state_senate = Massachusetts
| district = Plymouth and Norfolk
| term_start = May 18, 2016
| predecessor = Bob Hedlund
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|8|13|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Weymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.
| party = Republican
| residence = Weymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.
| alma_mater = Kingston University
}}
Patrick M. O'Connor (born August 13, 1984) is an American politician from Weymouth, Massachusetts, who was elected to the Massachusetts Senate on May 10, 2016, in a special election to replace Robert Hedlund.{{cite web |last1=Libon |first1=Daniel |title=Weymouth Town Council President Patrick O'Connor Wins State Senate Election |url=https://patch.com/massachusetts/weymouth/weymouth-town-council-president-patrick-oconnor-wins-state-senate-election-0 |website=Patch |date=11 May 2016 |accessdate=23 July 2018}} He represents the Plymouth and Norfolk District, which comprises Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate, and Weymouth.{{cite web |title=STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Plymouth & Norfolk District (Massachusetts) |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/SLD_RefMap/upper/st25_ma/sldu25034/DC10SLDU25034_001.pdf |website=Census |accessdate=23 July 2018}}
Early life and education
Patrick was born and raised in Weymouth and graduated from the Weymouth Public Schools system. His father, Michael, is a plumber. His mother, Terry, is a nurse.{{cite web |title=CANDIDATE PROFILE: Patrick O'Connor, state senate |url=http://cohasset.wickedlocal.com/news/20160831/candidate-profile-patrick-oconnor-state-senate |website=Wicked Local |accessdate=23 July 2018}}
When he was 13 years old, he co-founded L40 Networks, an internet advertising and content promotion company.{{cite web |title=CANDIDATE PROFILE: Patrick O'Connor, state senate |url=http://cohasset.wickedlocal.com/news/20160831/candidate-profile-patrick-oconnor-state-senate |website=Wicked Local |accessdate=23 July 2018}} This venture afforded him the opportunity to attend school in London at Kingston University where he studied politics and economics.{{cite web |title=CANDIDATE PROFILE: Patrick O'Connor, state senate |url=http://cohasset.wickedlocal.com/news/20160831/candidate-profile-patrick-oconnor-state-senate |website=Wicked Local |accessdate=23 July 2018}}
Political career
O'Connor was elected to the Weymouth Town Council in 2005 and became president in 2014.{{cite news|last1=Schiavone|first1=Christine|title=Weymouth councilor announces state Senate run|url=http://www.patriotledger.com/article/20151104/news/151108100|accessdate=September 28, 2016|agency=The Patriot Ledger}} From 2008-15, he served as legislative director to State Senator Bob Hedlund and ran for State Senate following Hedlund's election as mayor of Weymouth.
In a special election on May 10, 2016, O'Connor won 53% of the vote to 47% by Democratic candidate former selectman Joan Meschino of Hull.{{cite news|last1=Arnold|first1=Olivia|title=Republican and Democrat win state senate contests, and Democrat wins House race|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/05/10/republican-and-democrat-win-two-state-senate-contests-and-democrat-wins-house-race/TNqJwWPro9a4JO85OGyn0H/story.html|agency=The Boston Globe|date=May 10, 2016}} O'Connor was elected to his first full term on November 8, 2016, and is seeking another two year term.
During an interview with WCVB former Massachusetts GOP chair Kirsten Hughes suggested that O'Connor would be a good candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 2022, should Charlie Baker not seek a third term.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vocPi8KI3s | title=OTR: Mass. GOP Chair Kirsten Hughes discusses 2022 gubernatorial candidates - YouTube | website=YouTube }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.oconnorforsenate.com/ Campaign Web Site]
- [https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/PMO Massachusetts Senate Member Profile]
{{Massachusetts Senate}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:OConnor, Patrick}}
Category:Republican Party Massachusetts state senators
Category:Massachusetts city council members
Category:Alumni of Kingston University
Category:Politicians from Weymouth, Massachusetts
Category:21st-century members of the Massachusetts General Court