| Byron J. Matthews | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Massachusetts Secretary of Communities and Development | |
| In office 1979–1983 | |
| Preceded by | William G. Flynn |
| Succeeded by | Amy S. Anthony |
| Mayor of Newburyport, Massachusetts | |
| In office 1968–1978 | |
| Preceded by | George H. Lawler, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Richard E. Sullivan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1928-08-30)August 30, 1928 Newburyport, Massachusetts |
| Died | (2023-03-25)March 25, 2023 (aged 94) |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | Newburyport, Massachusetts |
Byron J. Matthews (August 30, 1928 – March 25, 2023) was 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.
Matthews' cousin, Peter J. Matthews, also served as Newburyport's mayor from 1985 to 1987, and again from 1990 to 1993.
Footnotes
- U.S. Public Records Index Vol 1 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.
- Sullivan, Jim. "Newburyport loses legendary Mayor Byron Matthews". The Daily News of Newburyport. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ "Byron Matthews 2010 Essex Heritage Hero". Essex National Heritage Area. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- Farrell, David (February 8, 1973). "Sargent launching a new series of fund-raising parties". Boston Globe.
- Massachusetts Election Statistics 1983 (PDF). p. 51.
- Laidler, John; Dabilis, Andy (November 8, 1995). "Political newcomers triumph in Malden, Brockton But incumbents soar elsewhere in heated races". Boston Globe.
| Cabinet of Governor Edward J. King (1979–83) | |
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| Secretary of Environmental Affairs |
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| Secretary of Human Services |
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| Secretary of Transportation |
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| Secretary of Elder Affairs |
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| Secretary of Communities and Development |
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| Secretary of Consumer Affairs |
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