Edward J. Clancy Jr.

American politician (1950–2021)

Edward J. "Chip" Clancy Jr.

55th
Mayor of
Lynn, Massachusetts
In office
2002 – January 4, 2010
Preceded by| Patrick J. McManus
Succeeded by| Judith Flanagan Kennedy
Massachusetts State Senate
1st Essex District
In office
1995–2002
Preceded by| Walter J. Boverini
Succeeded by| Thomas M. McGee
Massachusetts House of Representatives
11th Essex District
In office
1991–1995
Preceded by| Thomas W. McGee
Succeeded by| Thomas M. McGee
City Council, Councilor at Large
Lynn, Massachusetts
In office
1984–1991
City Council
Lynn, Massachusetts
In office
1978–1981
Personal details
Nationality| American
Spouse| Linda
Alma mater| Providence College, Cum Laude (1972);
Suffolk University Law School, (1975).
Profession| Attorney

Edward J. "Chip" Clancy Jr. (June 30, 1950 – June 6, 2021) was an American politician in the state of Massachusetts who served the 55th mayor of Lynn, Massachusetts. He was first elected in November 2001. Previously, Clancy served on the Lynn City Council. After the council, he served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate. In 2001, while still a member of the Massachusetts Senate, Clancy was elected as Mayor of Lynn; after his election as Mayor, Clancy resigned from the Senate. On November 3, 2009, he was defeated by Republican challenger Judith Flanagan Kennedy, by a margin of 27 votes.[1]

## Early life[edit]

Clancy was a native of Lynn, Massachusetts. His parents were Mrs. Claire M. (Luby) Clancy and Edward J. "Nipper" Clancy,[2] a former political leader and city assessor of Lynn.[3]

## Early career[edit]

Clancy graduated from Providence College and Suffolk University Law School. On December 15, 1975, Clancy was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar and served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Massachusetts Attorney General's office.[1]

## Lynn City Council[edit]

In 1977, Clancy was elected to the Lynn, Massachusetts, city council.

## First run for Mayor[edit]

In 1981 Clancy lost his first campaign for Mayor of Lynn.[4] In the 1981 preliminary election Clancy finished first, receiving 1,393 more votes than incumbent Mayor Antonio J. Marino. However, Mayor Marino defeated Clancy by 3,119 votes in the final election.[5]

## Return to the City Council[edit]

In 1983 Clancy was once again elected to the Lynn City Council as a City Councilor at large.

## Election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives[edit]

In 1990 Clancy ran in the Democratic Primary for the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Clancy ran against former Speaker of the House Thomas W. McGee. Initially McGee was declared the winner with a nine-vote victory.[6] However, after a recount Clancy was ahead of McGee by a five-vote margin.[7][8] After McGee challenged the recount in court, Clancy ended up winning the primary by an 11-vote margin.[6] Clancy went on to defeat Republican Kimberly P. Simone and win the general election in November 1990.[9]

## Election to the Massachusetts Senate[edit]

In April 1994 Massachusetts State Senator Walter J. Boverini (D-Lynn) announced that he would not run for reelection the State Senate.[10][11] Clancy ran for and won the Democratic Party's nomination for the seat being vacated by Boverini.

In November 1994 Clancy won the general election for State Senate seat from the 1st Essex District.[12]

Clancy garnered 29,637 votes or 55% of the vote vs Republican Kathleen E. Caron's 24,663 votes or 45% of the total votes cast.[13]

## Election as Mayor of Lynn[edit]

Clancy ran unopposed in his first two elections for the Mayor of Lynn.[14] On November 3, 2009, Clancy was defeated by Judith Flanagan Kennedy by a total of 8,043 votes to 8,016.[1]

## Later life and death[edit]

Clancy continued to practice law and remained active in the community. He died on June 6, 2021, at the age of 70, with his wife Linda and family by his side.[15]

## Election history[edit]

### 2009 Lynn Mayoral Election[edit]

Primary Election  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan  | Judith Flanagan Kennedy (Write-in)  | 3,235  | 46.37  |
| Nonpartisan  | Edward J. Clancy Jr.  | 3,024  | 43.34  |
| Nonpartisan  | David M. Rohnstock | 664  | 9.52  |
| Write-in  | Write-in  | 54  | 0.77  |
Turnout |  |  |

Source: Our Campaigns
General Election  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan  | Judith Flanagan Kennedy | 8,043  | 49.94  |
| Nonpartisan  | Edward J. Clancy Jr.  | 8,016  | 49.78  |
| Write-in  | Write-in  | 45  | 0.28  |
Turnout | 16,104  | 33.1  |

Source: Boston Globe Lynn Item[permanent dead link]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2009/11/04/news/news01.txt[permanent dead link]
2. ^ The Boston Globe (January 8, 2005), CLANCY, Mrs. Claire M. (Luby), Boston, MA: The Boston Globe
3. ^ Turner, Robert L. (September 11, 1990), A Heavy Burden For Incumbents, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe
4. ^ Laidler, John (December 17, 2000), Lynn Mayoral Race Generates Rumors, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe, p. North Weekly; Pg. 3
5. ^ Laidler, John (October 5, 1997), September loss can bring November gain; Incumbents often get wakeup call, rebound, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe, p. North Weekly; Pg. 1
6. ^ a b McGee Election Defeat Upheld, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe., October 6, 1990
7. ^ Zuckoff, Mitchell (Oct 3, 1990), Candidates Take Setbacks To Court, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe.
8. ^ Zuckoff, Mitchell (September 28, 1990), Political Era Ends As Recount Hands A Loss To McGee, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe.
9. ^ Zuckoff, Mitchell (November 8, 1990), GOP Climbs The Hill 16 Democrats out of The House, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe
10. ^ Lehigh, Scot (April 13, 1994), No. 2 Man in State Senate Set To Retire, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe.
11. ^ Aucoin, Don (April 19, 1994), Term Limiters Point to The Top, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe
12. ^ Kenney, Michael (November 20, 1994), Impact of money on election predictable, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe, p. North Weekly Section; page 6
13. ^ The Boston Globe (November 10, 1994), State Senate, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe
14. ^ Laidler, John (October 12, 2008), Clancy gives ample notice he wants to remain mayor of Lynn, Boston, MA: The Boston Globe
15. ^ "Edward J. "Chip" Clancy, Jr". Solimine Funeral Homes. Retrieved 4 July 2023.

## External links[edit]

* Mayors of the City of Lynn since its incorporation in 1850 from the official website of the City of Lynn
* Mayor Clancy's official Biography from the City of Lynn website
* Mayor Clancy's record from the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers website

Political offices

Preceded by

Patrick J. McManus

|  Mayor of Lynn, Massachusetts
2002

2009  | Succeeded by

Judith Flanagan Kennedy