Michael E. Capuano

Michael E. Capuano is an American politician and attorney who served as the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 8th congressional district from 1999 to 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the Mayor of Somerville, Massachusetts from 1990 to 1999. Throughout his career, Capuano was known as a staunch progressive and a pragmatic legislator focused on transportation, housing, and civil rights issues.

Early life and education

Michael Everett Capuano was born on January 9, 1952, in Somerville, Massachusetts, to an Italian-American family. His father, Andrew Capuano, was a Democratic state legislator who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He attended Somerville High School before enrolling at Dartmouth College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. Capuano then pursued a Juris Doctor degree from Boston College Law School, graduating in 1977. Following law school, he worked as an attorney in private practice and served as an aide to the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Human Services and Elderly Affairs.

Political career

Capuano's political career began in local government, serving on the Somerville Board of Aldermen from 1977 to 1979. After a period in private law practice, he was elected as the Mayor of Somerville, Massachusetts in 1989, taking office in 1990. As mayor, he was credited with revitalizing the city's economy, championing significant development projects in Assembly Square and Davis Square, and improving municipal services. His tenure saw a focus on community-oriented policing and expanding affordable housing stock, which positioned him for higher office.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 1998, Capuano was elected to the United States House of Representatives, succeeding Joseph P. Kennedy II in representing Massachusetts's 8th congressional district, which included parts of Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Chelsea. He was a member of the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where he advocated for increased funding for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the Big Dig project. A consistent liberal vote, Capuano was a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and opposed the Iraq War and the Patriot Act. He also served on the House Ethics Committee and was a prominent voice during the Financial crisis of 2007–2008, supporting the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Post-congressional career

After losing the 2018 Democratic primary to Ayanna Pressley, Capuano left the United States Congress in January 2019. He subsequently joined the Boston-based law firm Sullivan & Worcester as a partner in its Government Strategies Group. In this role, he provides counsel on municipal finance, transportation policy, and federal regulatory matters. He also serves on the board of directors for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and remains active in civic organizations, including the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health.

Personal life

Capuano is married to Barbara Teebagy, a former schoolteacher, and they have two sons. He resides in Somerville, Massachusetts, and is a practicing Roman Catholic. An avid sports fan, he supports the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and New England Patriots. Capuano is also known for his involvement in local Italian-American cultural societies and his advocacy for immigration reform, reflecting his family's heritage.

Category:1952 births Category:American city mayors Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts Category:Dartmouth College alumni Category:Boston College Law School alumni Category:Living people