John F. Tierney

{{Short description|American politician (born 1951)}} {{Other people|John Tierney}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2015}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = John Tierney | image = John F Tierney congressional portrait 2009 (cropped).jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2009 | district = {{ushr|MA|6|6th}} | preceded = [[Peter G. Torkildsen]] | succeeded = [[Seth Moulton]] | state = [[Massachusetts]] | party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|09|18}} | birth_place = [[Salem, Massachusetts]], U.S. | spouse = {{marriage|Patrice Eremian|1997}} | education = [[Salem State University|Salem State College]] (BA)<br />[[Suffolk University Law School|Suffolk University]] (JD) | occupation = [[Attorney at law|Attorney]] | term_start = January 3, 1997 | term_end = January 3, 2015 }}

'''John F. Tierney''' (born September 18, 1951) is an American politician who served as a [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] from [[Massachusetts]] from 1997 to 2015. He is a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] who represented the state's {{ushr|MA|6|6th district}}, which includes the state's [[North Shore (Massachusetts)|North Shore]] and [[Cape Ann]].

Born and raised in [[Salem, Massachusetts|Salem]], Massachusetts, Tierney graduated from [[Salem State College]] and [[Suffolk University Law School]]. He worked in private law and served on the Salem [[Chamber of Commerce]] from 1976 to 1997. Tierney first ran for the House of Representatives in 1994 against [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] incumbent [[Peter G. Torkildsen]], losing by a small margin. He defeated Torkildsen in a rematch in 1996.

A [[liberalism in the United States|liberal]] member of Congress, Tierney voted along with other Democratic Representatives from Massachusetts. He sat on the [[United States House Committee on Education and Labor|House Committee on Education and Labor]], where his priorities included [[green energy]] and increased college access. He co-authored several pieces of legislation, including the [[Green job#USA Green Jobs Act 2007|Green Jobs Act of 2007]] and the College Affordability and Accountability Act of 2008. He is the former chairman of the [[United States House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs|Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs]], where he helped establish the [[Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan]]. From 1998 to 2010, Tierney comfortably won re-election in each cycle. He faced tougher challenges after his wife Patrice was convicted of felony [[tax fraud]] in 2010, narrowly defeating his Republican opponent [[United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2012#District 6|in 2012]]. In the [[United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2014#District 6|2014 election]], he lost the Democratic primary to [[Seth Moulton]], who went on to hold the seat in the general election.<ref name=concede /> In February 2016, Tierney was appointed the executive director of the [[Council for a Livable World]] and the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation,<ref>{{cite news|title=Press Release: Former Congressman John Tierney named Executive Director of The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation|url=http://armscontrolcenter.org/press-release-former-congressman-john-tierney-named-executive-director-of-the-center-for-arms-control-and-non-proliferation/|access-date=21 September 2016|agency=The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation|date=24 February 2016}}</ref> the council's affiliated education and research organization.

==Early life, education, and career== John F. Tierney was born September 18, 1951, in [[Salem, Massachusetts]]. His mother, Doris H. (née Gelineau) Tierney, was a Salem native who worked a split shift at the New England Telephone Company, where she remained for 42 years. His father, Albert R. Tierney, was a bookkeeper for [[Nabisco]] and a local fuel company.<ref name="tierney">Tierney, John F. (2010). "[http://www.johntierney.com/about About John] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012140257/http://www.johntierney.com/about |date=October 12, 2010 }}." ''Congressman John Tierney'' (campaign website). Retrieved July 1, 2010.</ref><ref name="doris-2008">"[http://www.salemnews.com/obituaries/x1996924344/Doris-H-Tierney-81 Doris H. Tierney]." Obituary. ''[[The Salem News]]''. September 26, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2010.</ref> Tierney was one of three children, along with his brother Michael A. and sister Catherine.<ref name="doris-2008" /> His father was of Irish descent and his mother was of half French-Canadian and half Irish ancestry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/tierney.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708165055/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/tierney.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 8, 2012|title=Ancestry® {{!}} Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records|website=freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-13}}</ref> He moved with his family to his grandmother's home when he was five years old. He began working at the Kernwood Country Club in Salem as a [[caddie]] when he was 8 and soon adopted a paper route.<ref name="salem-2009">Liscio, David; Edwards, Susan (Fall 2009).{{cite web|url=http://www.salemstate.edu/content_images/news/salem_statement_fall_2009.pdf |title="Educated locally; leading nationally" |access-date=2010-07-03 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327062645/http://www.salemstate.edu/content_images/news/salem_statement_fall_2009.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |df=mdy }}. ''Salem Statement'' ([[Salem State College]]): pp. 24–25. Retrieved July 3, 2010.</ref> He later attended [[Salem High School (Massachusetts)|Salem High School]]. When he was young, Tierney campaigned for his uncle, a [[Peabody, Massachusetts|Peabody]] [[wards of the United States|ward councilor]], and he ascribes his political interest in part to this experience.<ref name="globe-oct1994">"House of Representatives." ''[[The Boston Globe]]'': p. S4. October 31, 1994.</ref><ref name="cq-1997">CQ Staff (January 4, 1997). "John F. Tierney, D-Mass (6)." ''[[Congressional Quarterly|CQ Weekly]]'': p. 66.</ref>

Tierney attended [[Salem State College]], majoring in [[political science]]. While in college he performed [[Federal Work-Study Program|work study]], while also stocking shelves at a grocery store, working in sales at a clothing store, and performing deliveries. For three years he was president of his class, and in his final year he served as President of the Salem State Student Government Association (SGA). As SGA president Tierney responded to racial incidents on campus by organizing a school-wide meeting leading to several days of discussion. He graduated in 1973, and returned in 2009 to give a [[commencement address]], receiving an [[honorary degree]].<ref name="salem-2009" />

While working as a law office clerk and a [[Massachusetts State House|State House]] janitor, Tierney attended [[Suffolk University Law School]].<ref name="salem-2009" /> Tierney graduated with a [[Juris Doctor]] in 1976, and was [[admission to the bar in the United States|admitted to the Massachusetts bar]]. Tierney worked as a solo practitioner until 1981, when he became a partner at the [[North Shore (Massachusetts)|North Shore]] community [[law firm]] Tierney, Kalis, & Lucas. Tierney remained at the firm until taking office in 1997. Tierney served on the Salem Chamber of Commerce from 1976 to 1997, becoming the organization's president in 1995.<ref name="directory">Alston, Farnsworth; Carter, Mary Ann; Randolph, Sarah (eds.) (2009). "Tierney, John F." ''[[Official Congressional Directory|Congressional Directory for the 111th Congress (2009–2010)]]''. [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]: [[United States Government Printing Office|Government Printing Office]]. p. 129. {{ISBN|978-0-16-083727-2}}.</ref>

==U.S. House of Representatives== ===Elections=== [[File:Peter Torkildsen and John Tierney during the 1994 Election (53316790028).jpg|thumb|Tierney (right) debating [[Peter Torkildsen]] during their 1994 congressional election]]

Tierney first ran for Congress in 1994 against one-term [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] incumbent [[Peter G. Torkildsen]], having won a competitive Democratic primary with a plurality of 33.8 percent.<ref>CQ Staff (September 24, 1997). "Sept. 20 Massachusetts Primary." ''CQ Weekly'': p. 2727.</ref> He ran on a platform promoting a stronger federal focus on drug abuse, federal aid to promote after-school programs, consideration of [[means test]]ing for [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]], and [[single-payer health care]].<ref name="globe-oct1994" /><ref name="globe-sep1994">"Primary choices for Congress." ''[[The Boston Globe]]'': p. A18. September 12, 1994.</ref> A primary issue in the campaign was crime: Tierney criticized Torkildsen for his vote against a 1994 crime bill, and advocated stronger gun control, while Torkildsen criticized Tierney's positions on gun control and drug legalization. Tierney was defeated in the general election by 4%.<ref name="cq-1997" /><ref>Gruenwald, Juliana (October 22, 1994). "Special Elections Report: Massachusetts." ''CQ Weekly'': p. 3027.</ref> Tierney successfully ran for Congress in 1996, defeating Torkildsen by a narrow margin and increasing his margin in a 1998 rematch.<ref name="clerk" /><ref name="fedelect" /> Over the next five elections, Tierney won with over 68% of the vote.<ref name="clerk" /><ref name="fedelect" /> In [[United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2010#District 6|2010]], he faced a stronger challenge from Republican candidate Bill Hudak, after his wife Patrice was convicted of felony tax fraud; he won with 57% of the vote.<ref name="2010-results"/>{{dead link|date=August 2014}}

In his [[United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2012#District 6|2012 race]] for re-election, Tierney faced former [[Massachusetts Senate|State Senator]] and [[Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2010|2010 nominee]] for [[Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts|Lieutenant Governor]] [[Richard Tisei]]. Tisei, who is openly gay,<ref>{{cite news|author= Frank Phillips|title=Baker narrows list of running mates|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=November 20, 2009|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/11/20/baker_narrows_list_of_running_mates_in_governors_race/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121154806/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/11/20/baker_narrows_list_of_running_mates_in_governors_race/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 21, 2009}}</ref> was endorsed by the [[Log Cabin Republicans]]. He was also endorsed by ''The Rainbow Times'', a [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]]-based [[LGBT]] newspaper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.therainbowtimesmass.com/2012/10/18/our-picks-the-rainbow-times-political-endorsements/ |title=Our Picks: The Rainbow Times' Political Endorsements 2012 |publisher=The Rainbow Times |date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730083239/http://www.therainbowtimesmass.com/2012/10/18/our-picks-the-rainbow-times-political-endorsements/ |archive-date=July 30, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> Gay Democratic Congressman [[Barney Frank]] endorsed Tierney, likening gay Republicans to [[Uncle Tom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/09/barney-frank-likens-gay-republicans-to-uncle-toms.php |title=Barney Frank Likens Gay Republicans To 'Uncle Tom' |first=Benjy |last=Sarlin |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |work=Talking Points Memo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004014547/http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/09/barney-frank-likens-gay-republicans-to-uncle-toms.php |archive-date=October 4, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref> Tierney narrowly won re-election on November 6, 2012, with 48% of the vote to Tisei's 47%.<ref>{{cite news|title=Massachusetts Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tierney ekes out win over GOP's Richard Tisei|url=http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/11/massachusetts_democratic_us_re.html|access-date=November 7, 2012|newspaper=The Republican|date=November 7, 2012}}</ref>

Tierney ran for re-election against four challengers for the Democratic nomination [[United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2014#District 6|in 2014]]. With 27 percent of precincts reporting, Tierney trailed [[Seth Moulton]] 51 percent to 40 percent and conceded.<ref name=concede>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Sean|title=Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.) concedes to primary challenger|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 9, 2014|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/09/09/rep-john-tierney-d-mass-concedes-to-primary-challenger/}}</ref>

===Tenure=== {| class="wikitable" style="width:22em; float:right; clear:right; margin-left:1em; font-size:88%" |- ! Committee assignments |- ! [[113th United States Congress|113th Congress]] {{nobold|(2013–15)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.cq.com/pub/committees/ |title=House Committee Rosters for the 113th Congress |publisher=[[Congressional Quarterly|CQ]]}}</ref> |- | *[[United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce|Education and the Workforce]] **[[United States House Education Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness|Higher Education and Workforce Training]] **[[United States House Education Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions|Employment, Labor, and Pensions]] *[[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform|Oversight and Government Reform]] **[[United States House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations|National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations]] ''(Ranking member)'' |} Tierney, described as "an unwavering liberal" by ''[[Congressional Quarterly|CQ's Politics in America]]'', has consistently high approval ratings from Democratic and liberal interest groups such as [[Americans for Democratic Action]], and low approval ratings from conservative groups such as the [[American Conservative Union]]. His votes have been closely aligned with the other Democratic representatives from his state.<ref name="cq-2009"/> Described as "a favorite of the House Democratic leadership,"<ref name="allen-2007">Allen, Jonathan (September 14, 2009). "[http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2009/09/tierney-wont-run-for-senate.html Tierney a no-go for Kennedy's Massachusetts seat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915023622/http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2009/09/tierney-wont-run-for-senate.html |date=September 15, 2010 }}." ''The Eye''. [[Congressional Quarterly|CQ Politics]]. Retrieved September 12, 2010.</ref> he maintains a close relationship with former [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|House Speaker]] [[Nancy Pelosi]]; her daughter [[Christine Pelosi]] served as his [[congressional staff|chief of staff]] from 2001 to 2005.<ref name="cq-2009" /> Tierney was speculated as a candidate to succeed United States Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] in a [[United States Senate special election in Massachusetts, 2010|special election]] after Kennedy's death in 2009, but he decided not to run.<ref name="allen-2007" /> In 2010 [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] paper ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]'' published a speculation that Tierney, with a $1.3 million [[war chest]], was a likely candidate to run against Kennedy's successor [[Scott Brown (politician)|Scott Brown]] in the [[United States Senate election in Massachusetts, 2012|2012 election]].<ref>Rushin, J. Taylor (August 19, 2010). "[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/169389-eyeing-sen-scott-brown-in-2012-mass-democrats-building-up-war-chests/ Eyeing Sen. Scott Brown in 2012, Mass. Democrats building up war chests]." ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]''. [[Washington, D.C.]] Retrieved September 12, 2010.</ref> Tierney later stated that he would not contest the Senate seat and would instead seek a ninth term as Congressman.

====Domestic policy==== [[File:John Tierney Save Darfur.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Congressman John Tierney speaks at an [[Olympic Dream for Darfur]] torch relay event in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], in October 2007.]] Tierney and Rep. [[Hilda Solis]] coauthored the Green Jobs Act of 2007, which allocated $125 million to green jobs training. The bill was incorporated into the [[Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007]] and signed into law.<ref name="cq-2009" /><ref>"[http://www.sierraclub.org/greenjobs/jobs/default.aspx#act Good, Green Jobs (Green Jobs Act)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129155303/http://sierraclub.org/greenjobs/jobs/default.aspx#act |date=November 29, 2010 }}." ''Green Jobs''. [[Sierra Club]]. Retrieved September 12, 2010.</ref> Tierney was initially opposed to the [[Troubled Asset Relief Program]] proposal of 2008, although he ultimately voted for the bill, saying, "The state of panic in the markets compels Congress to act."<ref name="cq-2009" />

The House included several of his proposals in the [[Higher Education Act of 1965#2008 reauthorization|Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008]], one which prevented states from cutting education funding as federal aid increased, and one which forgave federal loans for students who went into some public service professions.<ref name="cq-2009">McCutcheon, Chuck, and Lyons, Christina L. (eds.) (2009). "Tierney, John F., D-Mass." ''[[CQ's Politics in America|CQ's Politics in America 2010: The 111th Congress]]''. Washington: [[Congressional Quarterly]]. pp. 496–497. {{ISBN|978-1-60426-602-3}}.</ref> Throughout his career, Tierney has repeatedly introduced a bill called "Clean Money, Clean Elections", which would create a national, publicly financed [[clean elections]] system. With little support in Congress, the proposal has been unsuccessful.<ref name="cq-2009" />

Tierney is a supporter of [[universal health care]].<ref name="cq-2009" /> In early 2010, Tierney came under fire from some in his district for his support of the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eagletribune.com/archivesearch/local_story_085214717.html |title=Tierney's seen nothing like health debate anger » Merrimack Valley » … |website=www.eagletribune.com |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728120637/http://www.eagletribune.com/archivesearch/local_story_085214717.html |archive-date=28 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On March 6, 2013 Tierney and several House Democrats walked out on a Committee on Education and the Workforce vote, accusing Republican counterparts on the committee of not negotiating "in a bipartisan manner." Tierney has introduced a version of [[Elizabeth Warren]]'s "Bank on Student Loans Fairness Act" into the House, which would reduce federally subsidized education loans to 0.75%, the rate paid by banks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/05/elizabeth-warren-house-republican-student-loan-bill|title=Elizabeth Warren Attacks House GOP on Student Loan Bill|author=Erika Eichelberger|date=May 24, 2013|access-date=May 24, 2013|work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]}}</ref>

A February 2012 ''Washington Post'' report revealed that 33 members of Congress helped direct more than $300 million in earmarks to public projects in close proximity to commercial and residential real estate owned by the lawmakers or their family members.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fallis|first1=David|title=Congressional earmarks sometimes used to fund projects near lawmakers' properties|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2012/01/12/gIQA97HGvQ_story.html|access-date=September 8, 2014|newspaper=Washington Post|date=February 6, 2012}}</ref> According to the investigation, Tierney has helped direct about $3.5 million toward a 950-space parking garage and commuter rail station in Salem, Mass. The facility will be located roughly 1/4 mile from a commercial building Tierney co-owns.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mapping the earmarks|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/capitol-assets/mapping-the-earmarks/|access-date=September 8, 2014|newspaper=Washington Post|date=February 6, 2012}}</ref>

====Foreign policy==== Tierney was a member of the [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform|House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]] and chairman of the [[United States House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs|Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs]] during the 110th and 111th Congresses. Tierney introduced the 2007 House legislation that created the [[Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan]] to study government contracting related to the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan War]] and the [[Iraq War]].<ref name="cq-2009" /><ref>"[http://www.wartimecontracting.gov/index.php/about Background]." [[Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan]]. Retrieved September 5, 2010.</ref> The same year Tierney chaired a congressional hearing over conditions at [[Walter Reed Army Medical Center]]. The center had been criticized in the press for its dilapidated conditions and inadequate care, as well as for prioritizing a "VIP ward" for non-soldiers.<ref>Abramowitz, Michael; Vogel, Steve (March 6, 2007). "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/05/AR2007030500676.html Apologies, anger at Walter Reed hearing]." ''[[The Washington Post]]''. Retrieved September 8, 2010.</ref><ref>Hendren, John (March 16, 2007). "[https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=2957558&page=1 Congress investigates Walter Reed's 'VIP' ward]." ''[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]''. Retrieved September 8, 2010.</ref> The House approved Tierney's amendment to direct $75,000,000 to secular school construction in [[Pakistan]] to compete against [[Islam]]ic [[madrassa]]s.<ref name="cq-2009" /><ref>Liscio, David (June 22, 2007). "House OKs Tierney Pakistan school funds." ''[[The Daily Item (Lynn)|The Daily Item]]''. Retrieved September 11, 2010.</ref>

Tierney is a critic of U.S. investment in missile defense, and has called for large budget cuts to the [[Missile Defense Agency]].<ref>DiMascio, Jen (May 5, 2008). "[https://www.politico.com/story/2008/05/missile-accomplished-010095 Missile accomplished]." ''[[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]]''. Retrieved September 14, 2010.</ref> He introduced an amendment to redirect $966 million in funding from missile defense systems to other military initiatives. The proposal, opposed by [[United States House Committee on Armed Services|Armed Services Committee]] leaders as "going too far", was rejected in a House vote.<ref name="cq-2009" /><ref>Donnelly, John M. (May 22, 2008). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20080526113539/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002882703 House defies White House veto threat, passes defense authorization bill]." ''CQ Today''. [[CQ Politics]]. Archived from [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002882703 the original] on May 26, 2008. Retrieved January 26, 2011.</ref>

==Personal life== Tierney dated Patrice M. (Eremian) Chew of [[Marblehead, Massachusetts|Marblehead]] throughout his 1996 campaign.<ref name="murphy-2010">Murphy, Shelley; Viser, Matt (October 5, 2010). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20101008052133/http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/10/congressman_tie.html Congressman Tierney's wife to plead guilty to tax charges]." ''The Boston Globe''. Retrieved October 5, 2010.</ref> They married in a small ceremony in April 1997<ref name="richardson-2000">Richardson, Franci (June 6, 2000). "Tierney's stepson nabbed on drug charge." ''[[The Boston Herald]]''.</ref> and now live in Salem, where Patrice works as a jewelry designer.<ref>Sweet, Laurel J. (October 6, 2010). "[http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20101006tierneys_wife_pleads_guilty_to_tax_charges_in_gambling_racket/srvc=home&position=also Tierney's wife pleads guilty to tax charges in gambling racket]." ''[[The Boston Herald]]''. Retrieved October 8, 2010.</ref> Tierney has three stepchildren from his wife's first marriage.<ref name="murphy-2010" />

===Wife's tax fraud conviction=== In August 2010, Tierney's wife Patrice's brothers Robert and Daniel Eremian were indicted in federal court for operating an illegal [[internet gambling]] business.<ref name="murphy-2010" /><ref>Andersen, Travis (August 6, 2010). "[https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/2101914001.html?FMT=ABS 3 more men indicted in gambling business] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103200839/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/2101914001.html?FMT=ABS |date=November 3, 2012 }}." ''The Boston Globe'': p. B4.</ref> Robert had allegedly, with Daniel's help, operated the business out of [[St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda|St. John's]], [[Antigua and Barbuda]], and funneled a portion of the profits into a [[Bank of America]] account in Massachusetts. In October 2010, Patrice was charged in [[United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts|U.S. District Court]] with four counts of "aiding and abetting the filing of false tax returns" by Robert.<ref name="murphy-2010" /> John Tierney issued a statement announcing his wife's intention to plead guilty, stating that Patrice accepted "full responsibility for being 'willfully blind' to what her brother was doing."<ref name="murphy-2010" /> Patrice pleaded guilty on October 6, 2010,<ref>Ebbert, Stephanie (October 6, 2010). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20101009021125/http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/10/congressman_tie_1.html Congressman Tierney's wife convicted in federal tax fraud case]." ''The Boston Globe''. Retrieved October 6, 2010.</ref> and on January 13, 2011, was sentenced to 30 days in prison followed by five months of house arrest.<ref>Ebbert, Stephanie (January 13, 2011). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20120118192057/http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/01/patrice_tierney.html Congressman Tierney's wife gets 30 days in jail for tax fraud]." ''The Boston Globe''. Retrieved January 14, 2011.</ref> The conviction bolstered the campaign of Bill Hudak, Tierney's Republican opponent in the November 2010 election, but Tierney was re-elected.<ref>Sweet, Laurel J. (October 7, 2010). "[https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/2156554361.html?FMT=ABS Tierney tax flap 'shakes up' race] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104145552/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/2156554361.html?FMT=ABS |date=November 4, 2012 }}." ''The Boston Herald'': p. 6. Retrieved December 5, 2010.</ref><ref>Laidler, John (October 31, 2010). "[http://archive.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2010/10/31/as_vote_nears_campaigners_north_of_boston_tout_chances/ Hopefuls racing to finish line]." ''The Boston Globe''. Retrieved December 5, 2010.</ref><ref>Bierman, Noah (November 3, 2010). "[http://archive.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2010/11/03/republicans_revolution_fades_in_mass/ Republicans’ revolution fades in Massachusetts]." ''The Boston Globe''. Retrieved December 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2012, a federal judge ordered Daniel Eremian to forfeit $7.7 million in assets for his role in the illegal offshore sports betting scheme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/261ecfbc56fd4fc3b764b530aa5420db/MA--Congressmans-Brother-in-Law |title=Mass. Congressman's brother-in-law involved in betting scheme ordered to forfeit $7.7M |access-date=2012-06-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616023827/http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/261ecfbc56fd4fc3b764b530aa5420db/MA--Congressmans-Brother-in-Law |archive-date=June 16, 2012 }}</ref> Following his sentencing, Daniel Eremian told reporters that the congressman "knew everything that was going on", a charge which Tierney rebutted.<ref>{{cite news|last=Manganis|first=Julie|title=Brother-in-law: Tierney 'knew everything'|url=http://www.salemnews.com/local/x691117980/Brother-in-law-Tierney-knew-everything|access-date=June 29, 2012|newspaper=The Salem News|date=June 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Dick|first=Marcia|title=Tierneys respond to allegations made by Daniel Eremian|url=http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/salem/2012/06/tierneys_respond_to_allegation.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705063744/http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/salem/2012/06/tierneys_respond_to_allegation.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 5, 2012|access-date=June 29, 2012|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=June 29, 2012}}</ref>

==Electoral history==

{{s-start}} |- | colspan=10 |{{center|'''[[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]], [[Massachusetts's 6th congressional district|6th District of Massachusetts]]''' (General Election)<ref name="clerk">{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |title=Office of the House Clerk – Electoral Statistics |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |pages=1990, 1992, 1994, 1996 |access-date=March 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730201058/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=July 30, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="fedelect">{{cite web|url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/electionresults.shtml|title=Election Results|publisher=Federal Election Commission|pages=1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008|access-date=March 9, 2010}}</ref><ref name="2010-results">{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/news/special/politics/2010/us_house/mass/6/results/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105192126/http://www.boston.com/news/special/politics/2010/us_house/mass/6/results/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 5, 2010 |title=US House - 6th Massachusetts - Campaign 2010 |work=Boston.com |access-date=November 6, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/11/07/mass-dem-rep-tierney-holds-off-gop-tisei/EFBXqFjUPawNAqmLd4X3aN/story.html|title=Tisei concedes Mass. 6th District race to Tierney|work=Boston.com|access-date=November 7, 2012}}{{dead link|date=May 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>}} |- !Year !Winning candidate !Party !Pct !Opponent !Party !Pct !Opponent !Party !Pct |- |[[United States House elections, 1994|1994]] |{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Peter G. Torkildsen]] (inc.) |{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |{{party shading/Republican}} |50.5% |{{party shading/Democratic}} |'''John F. Tierney''' |{{party shading/Democratic}} |[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |{{party shading/Democratic}} |47.4% |{{party shading/Independent}} |Benjamin A. Gatchell |{{party shading/Independent}} |[[Independent (United States)|Independent]] |{{party shading/Independent}} |2.1% |- |[[United States House elections, 1996|1996]] |{{party shading/Democratic}} |'''John F. Tierney''' |{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{party shading/Democratic}} |49.3% |{{party shading/Republican}} |Peter G. Torkildsen (inc.) |{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican |{{party shading/Republican}} |49.2% |{{party shading/Independent}} |Martin J. McNulty |{{party shading/Independent}} |Independent |{{party shading/Independent}} |1.6% |- |[[United States House elections, 1998|1998]] |{{party shading/Democratic}} |'''John F. Tierney (inc.)''' |{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{party shading/Democratic}} |54.6% |{{party shading/Republican}} |Peter G. Torkildsen |{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican |{{party shading/Republican}} |42.4% |{{party shading/Independent}} |Randal C. Fritz |{{party shading/Independent}} |Independent |{{party shading/Independent}} |3.0% |- |[[United States House elections, 2000|2000]] |{{party shading/Democratic}} |'''John F. Tierney (inc.)''' |{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{party shading/Democratic}} |71.1% |{{party shading/Republican}} |Paul McCarthy |{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican |{{party shading/Republican}} |28.9% | | | |- |[[United States House elections, 2002|2002]] |{{party shading/Democratic}} |'''John F. Tierney (inc.)''' |{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{party shading/Democratic}} |68.3% |{{party shading/Republican}} |Mark C. Smith |{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican |{{party shading/Republican}} |31.7% | | | |- |[[United States House elections, 2004|2004]] |{{party shading/Democratic}} |'''John F. Tierney (inc.)''' |{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{party shading/Democratic}} |70.0% |{{party shading/Republican}} |Stephen P. O'Malley, Jr. |{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican |{{party shading/Republican}} |30.0% | | | |- |[[United States House elections, 2006|2006]] |{{party shading/Democratic}} |'''John F. Tierney (inc.)''' |{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{party shading/Democratic}} |69.7% |{{party shading/Republican}} |Richard W. Barton |{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican |{{party shading/Republican}} |30.3% | | | |- |[[United States House elections, 2008|2008]] |{{party shading/Democratic}} |'''John F. Tierney (inc.)''' |{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{party shading/Democratic}} |70.5% |{{party shading/Republican}} |Richard A. Baker |{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican |{{party shading/Republican}} |29.5% | | | |- |[[United States House elections, 2010|2010]] |{{party shading/Democratic}} |'''John F. Tierney (inc.)''' |{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{party shading/Democratic}} |56.9% |{{party shading/Republican}} |Bill Hudak |{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican |{{party shading/Republican}} |43.1% | | | |- |[[United States House elections, 2012|2012]] |{{party shading/Democratic}} |'''John F. Tierney (inc.)''' |{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{party shading/Democratic}} |48.2% |{{party shading/Republican}} |[[Richard Tisei]] |{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican |{{party shading/Republican}} |47.2% |{{party shading/Libertarian}} |Daniel Fishman |{{party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] |{{party shading/Libertarian}} |4.6% |- | colspan=10 |{{center|'''[[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]], [[Massachusetts's 6th congressional district|6th District of Massachusetts]]''' (Democratic Primary)<ref>{{cite web | url = https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/35404/ | title = 2014 U.S. House Democratic Primary - 6th Congressional District | access-date = June 23, 2017 | publisher = Election Stats}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/39093/ | title = 2016 U.S. House Democratic Primary - 6th Congressional District | access-date = June 23, 2017 | publisher = Election Stats}}</ref>}} |- !Year !Candidate !Result !Opponent !Result !Opponent !Pct !Opponent !Pct !Opponent !Pct |- | style="text-align: left;" | [[United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts, 2014#District 6|2014]] | style="background:#ccf;"| '''[[Seth Moulton]]''' | style="background:#ccf;"| '''50.8%''' | style="background:#ccf;"| John F. Tierney | style="background:#ccf;"| 40.1% | style="background:#ccf;"| Marisa DeFranco | style="background:#ccf;"| 6.1% | style="background:#ccf;"| John Devine | style="background:#ccf;"| 2.1% | style="background:#ccf;"| John Gutta | style="background:#ccf;"| 1.0% |- {{s-end}}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== * {{CongLinks | congbio=t000266 | votesmart=553 | fec=H4MA06033 | congress=john-tierney/1535 }} *Tierney, John [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060206/tierney Intelligent Reform] ''The Nation'', February 6, 2006 *{{C-SPAN|37546}}

{{S-start}} {{S-par|us-hs}} {{US House succession box |state=Massachusetts |district=6 |before=[[Peter G. Torkildsen]] |years=January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2015 |after=[[Seth Moulton]]}} {{s-prec|usa}} {{s-bef|before=[[John Linder]]|as=Former US Representative}} {{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Former US Representative}}''|years=}} {{s-aft|after=[[Wayne Gilchrest]]|as=Former US Representative}} {{S-end}}

{{Members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts}} {{USCongRep-start|congresses= 105th–113th [[United States Congress]] |state=[[Massachusetts]]}} {{USCongRep/MA/105}} {{USCongRep/MA/106}} {{USCongRep/MA/107}} {{USCongRep/MA/108}} {{USCongRep/MA/109}} {{USCongRep/MA/110}} {{USCongRep/MA/111}} {{USCongRep/MA/112}} {{USCongRep/MA/113}} {{USCongRep-end}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tierney, John F.}} [[Category:1951 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American people of French-Canadian descent]] [[Category:American people of Irish descent]] [[Category:Politicians from Salem, Massachusetts]] [[Category:Salem State University alumni]] [[Category:Suffolk University Law School alumni]] [[Category:Democratic Party United States representatives from Massachusetts]] [[Category:Salem High School (Massachusetts) alumni]] [[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]