Byron J. Matthews
Encyclopedia
Byron J. Matthews is an American politician who served as Mayor of Newburyport, Massachusetts
from 1968 to 1978 and Massachusetts Secretary of Communities and Development from 1979 to 1983.
Matthews entered politics in 1962 when he was elected to the Newburyport City Council. He was elected Mayor in 1968 and served an unprecedented five terms. During his tenure as Mayor, Matthews oversaw much of the restoration of downtown Newburyport.
In addition to serving as Mayor, Matthews also worked for Massachusetts Governor
Francis W. Sargent
as an advisor and campaign coordinator.
From 1979 to 1983, Matthews served as Governor Edward J. King
's Secretary of Communities and Development.
In 1983 he was a candidate in the special election to fill the Third Essex District seat in the Massachusetts Senate
vacated by Sharon Pollard
. He lost to Democrat Nicholas J. Costello by 320 votes.
In 1995, Matthews unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Lisa L. Mead in the Newburyport mayoral election.
From 1996-2007 he was Chairman of Northern Essex Community College.
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Newburyport is a small coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, 35 miles northeast of Boston. The population was 21,189 at the 2000 census. A historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry, Newburyport includes part of Plum Island...
from 1968 to 1978 and Massachusetts Secretary of Communities and Development from 1979 to 1983.
Matthews entered politics in 1962 when he was elected to the Newburyport City Council. He was elected Mayor in 1968 and served an unprecedented five terms. During his tenure as Mayor, Matthews oversaw much of the restoration of downtown Newburyport.
In addition to serving as Mayor, Matthews also worked for Massachusetts Governor
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
Francis W. Sargent
Francis W. Sargent
Francis William Sargent was the 64th Governor of Massachusetts from 1969 to 1975. Born in 1915 in Hamilton, Massachusetts, he was known for his sharp wit and self-deprecating manner...
as an advisor and campaign coordinator.
From 1979 to 1983, Matthews served as Governor Edward J. King
Edward J. King
Edward Joseph "Ed" King was the 66th Governor of the U.S. state of Massachusetts from 1979 to 1983.Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and a graduate of Boston College and Bentley College, King played professional football as a guard with the All-America Football Conference Buffalo Bisons from 1948 to...
's Secretary of Communities and Development.
In 1983 he was a candidate in the special election to fill the Third Essex District seat in the Massachusetts Senate
Massachusetts Senate
The Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Senate comprises 40 elected members from 40 single-member senatorial districts in the state...
vacated by Sharon Pollard
Sharon Pollard
Sharon M. Pollard is an American politician who represented the Third Essex District in the Massachusetts Senate from 1977 to 1983, served as Massachusetts Secretary of Energy from 1983 to 1989, and was Mayor of Methuen, Massachusetts from 2000 to 2006....
. He lost to Democrat Nicholas J. Costello by 320 votes.
In 1995, Matthews unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Lisa L. Mead in the Newburyport mayoral election.
From 1996-2007 he was Chairman of Northern Essex Community College.