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Hugh J. McLaughlin (politician)

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Hugh J. McLaughlin
Mayor of Chelsea, Massachusetts
In office
1956–1959
Preceded byAndrew P. Quigley
Succeeded byAlfred R. Voke
Personal details
Born(1915-09-27)September 27, 1915
Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedSeptember 24, 2014(2014-09-24) (aged 98)
Naples, Florida, U.S.[1]
Resting placeWoodlawn Cemetery
Everett, Massachusetts[1]
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materBates College
OccupationPolice officer
Food broker

Hugh J. McLaughlin (September 27, 1915 – September 24, 2014) was an American politician who served as mayor of Chelsea, Massachusetts from 1956 to 1959.

Early life[edit]

McLaughlin was born on September 27, 1915, in Chelsea.[2] His father was a member of the Chelsea board of aldermen.[3] McLaughlin graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Revere, Massachusetts, Bridgton Academy, and Bates College.[2] He served in the United States Navy during World War II and after his discharge became a Chelsea police officer. He left law enforcement to start a food brokerage business.[4]

Politics[edit]

In 1953, McLaughlin ran for public office for the first time and was the top vote-getter in the Chelsea alderman-at-large race.[3] In 1954, he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The following year he defeated incumbent 8,419 votes to 7,042 to become mayor of Chelsea.[4] He was reelected by a large margin in 1957 and did not run for a third term in 1959.[5][6] In 1962, McLaughlin was an unsuccessful candidate for the 1st Suffolk district seat in the Massachusetts Senate.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Hugh J. McLaughlin Sr,". Legacy.com. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b 1955–1956 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 1955 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ a b "Mayor Quigley Easily Wins Renomination in Chelsea". The Boston Globe. October 7, 1953.
  4. ^ a b "Ex-Policeman McLaughlin Defeats Mayor Quigley". The Boston Globe. November 9, 1955.
  5. ^ "Political Novices Elected Waltham, Pittsfield Mayors". The Boston Globe. November 6, 1957.
  6. ^ "Rep. Voke Defeats Quigley In Hot Fight for Mayoralty". The Boston Globe. November 4, 1959.
  7. ^ Lewis, William (September 16, 1962). "Primary Expected to Clinch Suffolk County Senate Seats". The Boston Globe.