(1961–1963) The Massachusetts Democratic Party and the National Democratic Party trace their roots to the latter half of the 18th century, when politicians forged alliances based on common national interests. In 1792,
Thomas Jefferson founded the
Democratic-Republican Party, commonly referred to as the "party of the common man." Jefferson's new party was adamantly opposed to what it saw as the
Federalist Party's elitist agenda. Jefferson served two consecutive terms as the first Democratic Republican
President of the United States beginning in 1800.
James Madison, another Democratic-Republican, succeeded Jefferson in 1808, followed by fellow party member
James Monroe in 1812. The national party was briefly divided during the election of
John Quincy Adams in 1824, in which four Democratic candidates ran for office.
Andrew Jackson assumed the leadership of the party following this period, and reunified its constituents. Jackson defined the party's platform and established the Democratic National Convention as a means of organizing and implementing the party's agenda on a national scale. With consecutive presidential victories in 1828 and 1832, Jackson succeeded in solidifying the Democratic-Republicans as a powerful national political party. The name was simplified to the Democratic Party at the Democratic National Convention of 1844. Massachusetts was dominated during the early 19th century by the
Federalist Party. The Federalist position was strengthened when
Maine, a Democratic-Republican stronghold, achieved statehood in 1820. The Democratic Party in Massachusetts was lacking in well-organized structure and strong leadership for much of the post-Jackson 19th century. Individual factions, including rural groups, immigrants, and factory workers, made up the party rank and file, but were unable to organize effectively to compete with first the
Whigs and, after the
American Civil War period, the Republicans. They rarely gained control over the legislature, and only one governor (
William Russell) served more than two consecutive one-year terms. As the 19th century was ending, the party found a new strength in an old ideal. The Democrats' long-held suspicions of
aristocratic leaders and the wealthy
elite struck a chord with
immigrants and
working class citizens during the first half of the 19th century.
Irish Americans gained a measure of organizational power in the party beginning late in the 19th century, but it was not until the 1920s that the Irish, along with other immigrant groups and working-class interests, were able to forge a strong party structure that united their interests and consistently produced electable leadership. By the mid-20th century, the party was successfully contending with Republicans for all major state offices, and had by the 1970s achieved its present dominant position in the state legislature.
20th and 21st centuries Despite numerous Republicans elected as governor, the Democratic Party was at the forefront of Massachusetts politics for much of the 20th century. Massachusetts Democrats, from
John F. Kennedy to
Deval Patrick, have played a prominent role in advancing the party's agenda and prominence on a local and national scale. The state's strength as a Democratic stronghold is such that it has not voted for a Republican for president since
1984, when
Ronald Reagan was reelected. The 2006 elections solidified the Democratic Party's dominance in Massachusetts, when
Deval Patrick became the first Democratic governor in 16 years. It was moderated in 2014 with the election of Republican
Charlie Baker as governor. Currently, every
Congressional delegate from Massachusetts is a Democrat. Democrats also occupy all constitutional offices in the Commonwealth's state government which includes governor and lieutenant governor (held by
Maura Healey and
Kim Driscoll), Attorney General
Andrea Campbell, Auditor
Diana DiZoglio, Secretary of State
William F. Galvin, and Treasurer
Deb Goldberg. The party holds
super-majorities in both the state House of Representatives and the state Senate. ==Current elected officials==