Representative-Elect
James McGovern (D-Mass.)

Born: Nov. 20, 1959, Worcester, Mass. Education: American U., B.A. 1981, M.P.A. 1984. Occupation: Congressional aide. Family: Wife, Lisa. Religion: Roman Catholic. Political Career: Sought Democratic nomination for U.S. House, 1994. Capitol Office: 512 Cannon Bldg. 20515; 225-6101.

By Congressional Quarterly

Unlike many new members who have trouble finding their way around the labyrinthine corridors of Capitol Hill, McGovern, a longtime aide to 9th District Rep. Joe Moakley, D-Mass., is an old hand at both the geography and the substance of the House.

In an election result considered something of an upset, McGovern defeated two-term GOP Rep. Peter I. Blute, one of two Republicans in Massachusetts' 10-member congressional delegation in the 104th Congress.The 3rd is a serpentine district that takes in the central Massachusetts city of Worcester and then makes its way downward to take in the southeastern fishing community of Fall River. The district's independent nature had given hope to both parties in the House race.

McGovern hammered away throughout the campaign at Blute's voting record, seeking to link the incumbent to House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga. Although a relatively moderate Republican, Blute did support most of the Republican leadership's "Contract With America." He was among the Republicans targeted by labor, environmental and other interest groups. In one of the more memorable television moments of the 1996 election cycle, McGovern ran a rhyming advertisement that asked voters the question, "If you wouldn't vote for Newt, why would you ever vote for Blute?"

Although overshadowed by the gargantuan Senate contest between Democratic Sen. John Kerry and Republican Gov. William F. Weld, the McGovern-Blute battle picked up its share of attention: In a year in which President Clinton was expected to do well in Massachusetts, Blute was definitely a Democratic target.

Blute had first won election in 1992 with only 50 percent of the vote, but he increased that to 55 percent in 1994. McGovern had unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination against Blute in 1994.

McGovern's interest in politics was sparked as a junior high school student, when Sen. George McGovern, D-S.D., (no relation) ran for president. He found himself having to defend his namesake, and got involved in his campaign. Later, as an American University student, he worked for McGovern in his Senate office. George McGovern returned the favor this year, by campaigning for Jim McGovern.

In addition, McGovern, a Worcester native, came from a family that followed Democratic politics closely, especially those involving the Kennedys. He remembers his family gathering around to write sympathy cards to Ethel Kennedy in 1968 after her husband, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., was assassinated while seeking the Democratic nomination for president.

McGovern says he has learned a great deal from both Moakley, who also helped out on the campaign trail, and George McGovern. He believes that one of the keys to success on the Hill is building relationships with other members, an area in which he has a head start. Not only has he worked closely with Moakley, but McGovern stresses his experience in working with the Democratic leadership and with members on both sides of the political aisle.

From his seat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, McGovern aims to increase federal funding for local bridges, roads and sewer systems.

Education is also a key issue for McGovern, who hopes to be at the head of any congressional effort to increase education funding. His district includes several leading universities such as Clark and The College of the Holy Cross.

McGovern can also be expected to put a priority on seeking more environmental research and development efforts between the federal government and private industry. He has long supported development of environmental technologies and is looking to secure seed funding in this area for companies in his district. Other topics high on McGovern's agenda are ensuring health care for children and pregnant women, and making pensions portable.

© 1997, Congressional Quarterly Inc. All rights reserved.

Representative-Elect
John Tierney (D-Mass.)

Born: Sept. 18, 1951, Salem, Mass. Education: Salem State College, B.A. 1973; Suffolk U., J.D. 1976. Occupation: Lawyer. Family: Single. Religion: Unspecified. Political Career: Democratic nominee for U.S. House, 1994. Capitol Office: 120 Cannon Bldg. 20515; 225-8020.

By Congressional Quarterly

The second time around was the charm for Tierney, as he succeeded in narrowly defeating two-term Republican Rep. Peter G. Torkildsen in District 6. The 1996 race was a rematch of their close 1994 battle.

In fact, the 1996 results were even closer than those of two years earlier. In 1992, Torkildsen, a moderate Republican, had defeated Tierney by 4 percentage points.

In 1996, a good year for Democrats in Massachusetts, Tierney's victory margin was only several hundred votes, prompting Torkildsen to call for a recount.

Tierney, a lawyer, attended the freshman House orientation in November, nonetheless, and in early December, the recount results confirmed his razor-thin victory.

Education was a top issue for Tierney throughout his campaign, and he was pleased to win a seat on the House Economic and Educational Opportunities Committee.

He expected to focus on education and job training issues, working with labor, the business community and the educational establishment to match people with appropriate jobs.

Among his other educational focuses is early childhood education, including support for the Head Start program.

He also hoped to work on building up downtown areas in cities such as Lynn, the largest community in the 6th.

The 6th, which includes both factory towns and wealthy suburbs along the North Shore, is a swing district. As evidenced by the seesaw votes in the Tierney-Torkildsen race, the district has a high percentage of independent voters.

In 1992, Torkildsen, who had served in the state legislature, captured the seat for the Republican Party with 55 percent of the vote. He defeated Democratic incumbent Nicholas Mavroules, who was tainted by legal problems.

Crime was a big issue in the 1994 contest between Torkildsen and Tierney. Tierney had endorsements from gun control advocates Jim and Sarah Brady, and accused Torkildsen of waffling on crime. Torkildsen, meanwhile, painted Tierney as too liberal on capital punishment and drug legalization.

As the 104th Congress began, Torkildsen, along with most other House Republican moderates, supported much of the Republican leadership's "Contract With America" package of proposed legislation. But in general, Torkildsen tried to focus attention on his independent stances on various issues, including his support for abortion rights.

He insisted he was "striking my own chord."

Torkildsen drew no Republican primary challenger. Tierney, who had geared up for a November rematch with Torkildsen, easily overcame a little-known opponent, lumberyard worker John Gutta, in the Sept. 17 Democratic primary.

Throughout the general election campaign, Tierney tried to link Torkildsen to House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the Georgia Republican who was extremely unpopular in Massachusetts. Tierney focused in particular on Republican proposals to restrict funding for Head Start and some other education programs.

Working to Tierney's advantage was the involvement of labor unions, which ran television advertisements attacking Torkildsen's record.

Tierney said he has always been interested in politics, in part because of his family. When Tierney was a boy, his uncle served as a ward councilor in the 6th District town of Peabody, and the young Tierney used to help him out, campaigning door-to-door in the community.

Tierney, who opposed the Contract With America, supported what he called a "Contract with the Middle Class, Workers and Small Business People" that included jobs and economic development, improved public schools, universal health care, environmental protection and programs for seniors and children.

He also expected to play a role in supporting efforts to reform the campaign finance system.

© 1997, Congressional Quarterly Inc. All rights reserved.