Thomas P. Koch (/koʊk/ KOHK;[2] born January 22, 1963) is the thirty-third and current mayor of Quincy, Massachusetts.
Thomas P. Koch | |
---|---|
![]() Koch in 2024 | |
33rd Mayor of Quincy, Massachusetts | |
Assumed office January 2, 2008 | |
Preceded by | William J. Phelan |
Personal details | |
Born | Quincy, Massachusetts | January 22, 1963
Political party | Independent (since 2018) Democratic (until 2018)[1] |
Spouse | Christine Keenan Koch |
Children | 3 |
Biography
editMayor Koch was born and raised in Quincy the sixth of seven children to Simone and Richard J. Koch. He is 1981 a graduate of North Quincy High School and was the class president. He took classes at the University of Massachusetts Boston, however does not have a college degree. Quincy Mayor James Sheets appointed him his top aide in 1990. In 1995, he was appointed commissioner of the city's Park Department.
Political career
editIn February 2007, he resigned and challenged Sheets' successor, William J. Phelan.[3] Koch defeated Phelan 54% to 46%.[4]
Koch has served as chairman of the MBTA Advisory Board since 2011.[5]
Koch was formerly a Democrat but left the party in 2018 because of his anti-abortion views.[6] Later that year, he endorsed Republican Governor Charlie Baker's bid for re-election in the 2018 Massachusetts Gubernatorial Election.[7][8]
In August 2021, the MBTA Advisory Board selected Koch to serve as its representative on the MBTA Board of Directors.[5]
During 2018, Koch was interim president of the municipally-affiliated Quincy College.
Personal life
editKoch is Roman Catholic.[6] Koch is the brother-in-law of Massachusetts State Senator John F. Keenan.
References
edit- ^ Hilliard, John. "Quincy's longest-serving mayor faces off with repeat challenger Tuesday". Boston Globe. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Koch, Thomas (January 7, 2008). "Quincy mayor Tom Koch takes office" (video). youtube.com. Patriot Ledger.
- ^ Preer, Robert (February 4, 2007). "Ex-aide runs for mayor". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Preer, Robert (June 4, 2009). "Race for mayor now a rematch". The Boston Globe.
- ^ a b Hilliard, John (August 24, 2021). "Quincy's Mayor Koch to serve on new MBTA Board of Directors". Boston Globe. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ a b Cotter, Sean Philip (February 8, 2018). "Koch leaves Democratic Party over abortion". Patriot Ledger. Archived from the original on 2018-08-14. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ Schoenberg, Shira (2014-09-16). "Democratic Mayor Tom Koch of Quincy to endorse Republican gubernatorial nominee Charlie Baker". masslive. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
- ^ @charliebakerma (August 12, 2018). "@KarynPolito and I were proud to be in Quincy today" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved 2023-05-15 – via Twitter.
External links
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