David Eldridge Harrison (June 19, 1933 - December 1, 2019) was a former American politician, lobbyist, and judge who served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and as Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
David E. Harrison | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives | |
| In office 1963–1971 | |
| Preceded by | Richard L. Hull |
| Succeeded by | Richard R. Silva |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Elkridge Harrison June 19, 1933 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | December 1, 2019 (aged 86) |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Michelle Holovak (m. 1970) |
| Residence | Gloucester, Massachusetts |
| Alma mater | Gloucester High School Tufts College Portia Law School |
Political career
editHarrison was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1963 to 1971, representing the 16th Essex District from 1963 to 1965[1] and the 1st Essex District from 1965 to 1971.[2]
On December 7, 1968, Harrison was unanimously elected Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.[3] He stepped down as Chairman in May 1971 after an attempt to solve the committee's heavy debt.[4]
Following his departure from the House, Harrison worked as a lobbyist on Beacon Hill. In 1972 he was the highest paid lobbyist at the Massachusetts State House.[5]
During the 1972 United States Presidential Election, Harrison served as George McGovern's New England Campaign Coordinator.[5]
Judicial career
editHarrison was sworn in as a district court judge on July 27, 1988.[6] He served in the Lowell District Court[7] and later was the First Justice of the Gloucester District Court.[8]
Resignation
editHarrison resigned from the bench in 2006 after the Office of Bar Counsel filed a petition for discipline against him. The petition alleged that Harrison had interfered with the Commission on Judicial Conduct's inquiry of him and that he had assisted a Commission member and another judge in violating the laws protecting the confidentiality of the Commission's proceedings.[9]
In 1999, the Commission on Judicial Conduct investigated Harrison's conduct during a zoning board hearing in Gloucester, Massachusetts. During the investigation, Harrison discussed the Commission's investigation of him with Commission member Gerald Cook and he received and read a copy of the Commission's confidential memorandum.[9]
On February 13, 2006, the Board of Bar Overseers voted to recommend that Harrison's resignation be accepted as a disciplinary sanction. On March 1, 2006, the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County entered judgment accepting the respondent's affidavit of resignation as a disciplinary sanction.[9] A month later, the Supreme Judicial Court ordered that Harrison's name be "stricken from the Roll of Attorneys".[8]
Personal life
editHarrison is a graduate of Gloucester High School, Tufts College,[2] and Portia Law School.[10]
In 1970 he married Michelle Holovak, the daughter of former Boston College and Boston Patriots head coach Mike Holovak.[11]
Outside politics Harrison worked in insurance and real estate sales and also as a high school football and lacrosse referee.[2]
Harrison died on December 1, 2019, in Danvers, Massachusetts.[12]
References
edit- ^ 1963-1964 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- ^ a b c 1969-1970 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- ^ Lydon, Christopher (December 8, 1968). "Democrats Swiftly Elect Harrison as Chairman". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ Ellis, David (February 26, 1971). "Harrison to step down as state Democratic chairman". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ a b Cohen, Steven A. (August 16, 1972). "Highest-Paid Mass. Lobbyist to Head McGovern NE Drice". Associated Press. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ "David Harrison, 54, Sworn in as Judge". The Boston Globe. July 27, 1988. Archived from the original on May 25, 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ "Judge denies bail for Lowell couple". Boston Herald. January 25, 1996. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ a b Rabinovitz, Barbara (May 29, 2006). "The trials and tribulations of David Harrison, former Gloucester District Court First Justice". Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ a b c "In Re: David E. Harrison". Mass.gov. Board of Bar Overseers. Office of Bar Counsel. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ "Profiles of 10 Award Winners". The Boston Globe. March 12, 1967.
- ^ "Miss Michelle Holovak Betrothed". The New York Times. January 21, 1970. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ "DAVID E. HARRISON". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 12 January 2021.