1990 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

Democratic primary

Governor

Candidates

• Francis Bellotti, former lieutenant governor and Attorney General of Massachusetts
• John Silber, president of Boston University

Eliminated at convention

• John H. Flood, state representative from Canton

Withdrew

• Evelyn Murphy, incumbent lieutenant governor

Declined

• Michael Dukakis, incumbent governor since 1983
• Raymond Flynn, mayor of Boston

Campaign

After Flynn's decision not to run, Murphy was the early frontrunner due to her strong name recognition and a solid base of liberal support. In July 1989, she led Bellotti 42% to 18% in a Boston Globe poll. That November, Bellotti had come within 2% of Murphy in another Boston Globe poll.

In January, Silber entered the race and Bellotti ran his first wave of television ads. By this point, Bellotti had taken the lead in the race, polling 38% to Murphy's 20% and Silber's 16%.

The Democratic Convention was held on June 2, 1990, at the Springfield Civic Center. On the first ballot, Bellotti received 42.9% of the vote, Murphy received 37%, Silber received 15.5%, and Flood received 4.5%. Silber's 15.5% gave him enough votes to remain on the ballot. On the second ballot, Bellotti won the convention with 51%, Murphy received 40%, and Flood received 8.5%. Flood was not able to stay on the ballot as he did not receive the necessary 15%.

Murphy's campaign appeared to be badly hurt by the public perception that she was close to the unpopular Dukakis and therefore tried to make a break with the Dukakis Administration. Dukakis twice postponed a trade mission to Europe because Murphy hinted at a news conference that she would execute her own economic plan while serving as acting governor.

A week before the primary, Evelyn Murphy dropped out of the race and threw her support to Bellotti.

Results

Despite having Murphy's support and as high as a 15-point lead in the polls at one point during the campaign, Bellotti was upset by Silber, a political outsider who had run a provocative campaign filled with controversial statements known as "Silber Shockers".

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

• Marjorie Clapprood, state representative from Sharon
• William B. Golden, state senator from Weymouth
• Nicholas Paleologos, state representative from Woburn

Declined

• Evelyn Murphy, incumbent lieutenant governor (to run for governor)

Results

Clapprood easily won the nomination, defeating her nearest opponent by over 22%.

Republican primary

Governor

Candidates

• Steven Pierce, state representative from Westfield
• William Weld, former United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts

Eliminated at convention

• Paul W. Cronin, former U.S. representative from Andover

Withdrew

• Guy Carbone, former commissioner of the Metropolitan District Commission (to run for attorney general)
• Gary Innes, flower shop owner
• Len Umina, resident of Marlborough (to run as an independent)

Declined

• Paul Cellucci, state senator from Hudson (to run for lieutenant governor)
• Edward J. King, former governor

Campaign

At the Republican Convention, Pierce received 2,672 votes (52.6%), Weld received 1,845 (36.3%), and Cronin received 563 (11.1%). Cronin was not able to run in the primary because he did not receive the 15% necessary to make the ballot. Pierce received enough votes to have a "supermajority", which made Pierce the officially endorsed candidate of the Republican Party.

During the campaign, Weld attacked Pierce's anti-abortion stance while Pierce claimed that Weld had changed his position on abortion. Pierce also touted his ability to win a House seat in a Democratic district, while Weld had lost to the Democratic front-runner for governor Francis Bellotti in the 1978 attorney general's race.

Results

Despite losing the convention and trailing Pierce in the polls, Weld was able to come from behind, and defeated Pierce in the Republican primary.

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

• Paul Cellucci, state senator from Hudson (running with Weld)
• Peter G. Torkildsen, state representative from Danvers (running with Pierce)

Results

State Senator Paul Cellucci, Weld's running mate, defeated State Representative Peter G. Torkildsen, Pierce's running mate, for the Republican nomination.

General election

Debates

Candidates

• John Silber, President of Boston University (Democratic)
• Leonard Umina, software executive (Independent High Tech)
• Bill Weld, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts and U.S. Assistant Attorney General (Republican)

Leonard Umina, a 38-year old computer executive, ran under the Independent High Tech Party banner. This party, of which Umina was a founding member, campaigned on a platform of establishing an independent state agency that would store all government documents on a publicly-accessible mainframe to ensure government accountability and transparency. On economic issues, the High Tech Party refuted the economic policies of the Reagan years and advocated the funneling of money to the poor. Four other candidates ran under the Independent High Tech label for statewide offices in 1990.

At least two other candidates ran for governor. Dorothy L. Stevens, a single mother, ran as a write-in candidate after withdrawing from a campaign for the Democratic nomination. Her platform included a $10 minimum wage and an expansion of welfare benefits. Mark A. Emanation was the candidate of the Socialist Workers Party.

Campaign

Silber's lead in the polls vanished after his outburst in an interview with WCVB-TV's Natalie Jacobson. His blunt personality and controversial comments led many Democrats to vote for Weld.

Results

Bill Weld defeated John Silber to become the state's first Republican governor since Francis W. Sargent.

As of 2018, this is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Amherst, Cambridge, Leverett, Shutesbury and Wendell each voted for the Republican candidate.

Results by county

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Barnstable
• Essex
• Franklin
• Hampshire
• Middlesex
• Nantucket
• Norfolk
• Plymouth
• Worcester

References

References

1. "Our Campaigns - MA Governor Race - Nov 06, 1990".
2. (1989-01-03). "Dukakis won't seek re-election in 1990". Transcript-Telegram.
3. Howe, Peter J.. (January 7, 1989). "Flynn's Move to Skip Governor's Race Creates a Political Logjam in Boston". Boston Globe.
4. (June 3, 1990). "Massachusetts Dems pick Bellotti for governor at picketed session". Associated Press.
5. Butterfield, Fox. (September 7, 1990). "Dukakis Accuses No. 2 of Plotting a Coup". The New York Times.
6. Wilkie, Curtis. (September 11, 1990). "Murphy Quits Race, Backs Bellotti". The Boston Globe.
7. Fox Butterfield. (September 11, 1990). "Dukakis Antagonist Abandons Primary Race". The New York Times.
8. Fox Butterfield. (September 19, 1990). "Silber Wins Democratic Contest in Massachusetts". The New York Times.
9. Phillips, Frank. (September 30, 1989). "Cellucci, Weld Join Forces". Boston Globe.
10. Lehigh, Scot. (October 13, 1989). "War Chest is Started and 'King '90' Buttons Ordered". Boston Globe.
11. Lehigh, Scot. (September 30, 1989). "Some Say Sununu's Push for a King Candidacy Could Backfire". Boston Globe.
12. Lehigh, Scot. (October 17, 1989). "King Announces He Will Not Run for Governor". Boston Globe.
13. Weitzman, Erik M.. (March 13, 1990). "GOP Takes Center Ring at Convention Circus". The Harvard Crimson.
14. Wilson, David B.. (March 25, 1990). "Something is Awry in 15-Percent Rule". Boston Globe.
15. Lehigh, Scot. (December 16, 1989). "Weld, Pierce Trade Barbs Over Abortion Positions". Boston Globe.
16. Turner, Robert L.. (March 8, 1990). "An L-Word That Worries Some Republicans". Boston Globe.
17. Anzovin, Steven. (April 1991). "Online freedom". Compute!.
18. Mann, Michael P.. (November 5, 1990). "The Ones With the Vision". The Harvard Crimson.
19. Lehr, Dick. (2001-01-28). "Split screen". Boston Globe.
20. Kimmel, Daniel M. (June 28, 1996). "Natalie Jacobson wears many hats". Telegram & Gazette.
21. Diaz, Johnny. (2007-07-11). "After 35 years, Jacobson set to retire". Boston Globe.
22. Diaz, Johnny. (November 11, 2008). "Refocused: A year after leaving Channel 5, Natalie Jacobson talks candidly about her life - and about the state of television news". The Boston Globe.
23. (November 8, 1990). "THE 1990 ELECTIONS: STATE BY STATE; Northeast". The New York Times.
24. Massachusetts Secretary of State. "1990 Gubernatorial Election Results". Massachusetts Secretary of State.
25. "PD43+ » Search Elections".