John E. Powers

For the copywriter, see John Emory Powers.

John E. Powers (November 10, 1910 – July 31, 1998) was an American politician who served as President of the Massachusetts Senate from 1959 to 1964.

John E. Powers
Powers circa 1945
President of the Massachusetts Senate
In office 1959–1964
Preceded by	Newland H. Holmes
Succeeded by	Maurice A. Donahue
Minority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate
In office 1950–1959
Preceded by	Chester A. Dolan Jr.
Succeeded by	Fred I. Lamson
Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 4th Suffolk District
In office 1947–1964
Preceded by	Leo J. Sullivan
Succeeded by	Joe Moakley
Personal details
Born	November 10, 1910 Boston, Massachusetts
Died	July 31, 1998(1998-07-31) (aged 87) Hyannis, Massachusetts
Political party	Democratic

Powers circa 1939

Powers in the 1960s

Powers, a former clam digger, messenger, and machine operator, served as a State Senator from Boston from 1940 to 1964 and Supreme Judicial Court of Suffolk County from 1964 to 1988.^[1] He was twice a candidate for Mayor of Boston. He lost to incumbent John B. Hynes in the 1955 mayoral election.^[2][3] Following Hynes's retirement, Powers became the front-runner for the mayorship, however he lost to Boston City Council member John F. Collins in the 1959 mayoral election,^[4] despite having the most votes in the preliminary election amongst five candidates.^[5]

Powers is remembered on the Boston Irish Heritage Trail.^[6]

See also

• Massachusetts legislature: 1939, 1941–1942, 1943–1944, 1945–1946, 1947–1948, 1949–1950, 1951–1952, 1953–1954, 1955–1956, 1957–1958, 1959–1960, 1961–1962, 1963–1964