Thomas Trimarco Explained

Thomas Trimarco
Birth Date:1 April 1939
Birth Place:New York City, New York, U.S.
Party:Republican
Alma Mater:Dartmouth College
Boston College Law School
Secretary of Administration and Finance of Massachusetts
Term Start:2005
Term End:2007
Predecessor:Eric Kriss
Successor:Leslie Kirwan

Thomas H. Trimarco (born April 1, 1939)[1] [2] is an American politician and lawyer who served as Massachusetts Secretary of Administration and Finance from 2005 to 2007. He is currently a senior vice president in the government relations division at O’Neill and Associates.

Work for John A. Volpe

A graduate of Dartmouth College and Boston College Law School, Trimarco began his career in government service as assistant general counsel at the United States Department of Transportation in 1970. When Transportation Secretary John A. Volpe was named United States Ambassador to Italy, Trimarco joined him as a special assistant and embassy counsel.[3] [4]

Return to the United States

When Volpe left office in 1977, Trimarco became a partner at the law firm of Csaplar & Bok. He also served as field coordinator for Edward Brooke's 1978 re-election campaign and co-chair of Howard Baker's 1980 presidential campaign.[5] [6]

In 1980, Trimarco served as Volpe's legal counsel while he appeared before the Ward Commission, which was investigating corruption in government projects.[7]

Congressional campaigns

That same year, Trimarco was a Republican candidate for the United States House of Representatives in Massachusetts's 6th congressional district. He ran as a fiscal conservative and social moderate. His campaign picked up the endorsements of party leaders including John Volpe, Francis W. Hatch, Jr., and Josiah Spaulding.[8] Trimarco defeated William Bronson 51.2% to 48.8% in the Republican primary, but lost to incumbent Nicholas Mavroules 50.8% to 47.1% in the general election.[9] [10]

In 1981, Trimarco was a finalist for the position of United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, however William Weld was selected instead.[11] It was believed that Trimarco had the backing of the White House, but was opposed by the Justice Department due to his association with John Volpe.[12]

In 1982, Trimarco was considered by John Lakian, the Republican frontrunner for governor, to be his running mate.[13] [14] However, Trimarco was more interested in running against Mavroules again and declined.[15]

Trimarco announced his candidacy for the 1982 Congressional election on June 6 at the Briarcliff Lodge in Lynn, Massachusetts. During his campaign, he supported President Ronald Reagan's economic program, but opposed his plan to reduce Social Security benefits and cut student loans. He promised "not be bound by the dictates of any one President".[16] He lost to Mavroules 57.8% to 42.2% in the general election.[17]

In 1988, Trimarco served as co-chair of Bob Dole's presidential campaign in Massachusetts.[18]

Massachusetts State Treasurer's office

In 1990, Trimarco served as co-chairman and policy director for Joe Malone's campaign for Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts.[19] [20] After Malone won he named Trimarco First Deputy Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In this capacity, he acted as the Chairman-designee of the Massachusetts Pension Reserve Investment Management Board and the State Board of Retirement. He resigned in 1998 following the election of Shannon O'Brien to the Treasurer's office.[21]

Romney administration

In 2004, Trimarco was appointed by Governor Mitt Romney to serve on the Springfield Finance Control Board, a five-person board responsible for restoring stability to Springfield, Massachusetts' finances. During his tenure on the board, Springfield's deficit was reduced from more than $40 million to less than $10 million.[22]

On July 7, 2005 Trimarco was appointed Massachusetts Secretary of Administration and Finance. In this position oversaw the Commonwealth's $25 billion budget and its capital spending program. He also played an important role in the passage of the Massachusetts health care reform law and served as chairman ex officio of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, which was given broad powers to implement and oversee the law.

Romney also appointed Trimarco to the Massachusetts Turnpike Commission.

O'Neill and Associates

On April 2, 2007, Trimarco was named senior vice president at O'Neill and Associates, a government and public relations firm run by former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Thomas P. O'Neill III.[23]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hubbell, Martindale . 1988 . Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, Volume 4 . .
  2. Book: Hutchinson, Derek C. . 1998 . Massachusetts Political Almanac . Center For Leadership Studies . 9780926766228.
  3. Web site: Thomas H. Trimarco, Senior Vice President. O'Neill and Associates. O'Neill and Associates. October 30, 2012.
  4. News: Micciche. S. J.. Our Man in Italy. The Boston Globe. February 24, 1974.
  5. News: Black. Chris. GOP chief fears loss of Brooke seat. The Boston Globe. October 10, 1978.
  6. News: Patterson. Rachelle. A New Look To Baker Campaign. The Boston Globe. February 10, 1980.
  7. News: Robinson. Walter V.. Panel told of $22,000 bribe offer. The Boston Globe. March 26, 1980.
  8. News: Richard. Ray. GOP bid worries Mavroules in 6th. The Boston Globe. August 29, 1980.
  9. News: Trimarco wins narrowly in 6th. The Boston Globe. September 17, 1980. Ray Richard. Al Larkin.
  10. Book: Ladd, Thomas E.. Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 4, 1980. 1981. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington D.C..
  11. News: Farrell. David. Weld's record impressed federal, state prosecutors. The Boston Globe. July 19, 1981.
  12. News: Farrell. David. Campaign '82. The Boston Globe. August 23, 1981.
  13. News: Black. Chrus. No. 2 Spot Splits GOP Candidates. The Boston Globe. February 28, 1982.
  14. News: Black. Chris. GOP Delegates Pick a Slate Today. The Boston Globe. March 6, 1982.
  15. News: Lockman. Norman. For GOP, It's On With the Campaign. The Boston Globe. March 8, 1982.
  16. News: Trimarco to Run in 6th. The Boston Globe. June 7, 1982.
  17. Book: Ladd, Thomas E.. Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 1982. 1983. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington D.C..
  18. News: Ball. Joanne. Bush Outpaces Dole in Mass. Fight for State's 52 Republican Delegates. The Boston Globe. February 25, 1988.
  19. News: Malone. M.E.. Galvin Says Hise Record Distorted In Malone Ads. The Boston Globe. October 12, 1990.
  20. News: Galvin Ad Challenges Malone Background. The Boston Globe. October 18, 1990.
  21. News: Cassidy. Tina. Abandoned property chaos is reported. The Boston Globe. March 10, 1999.
  22. News: Gov. Romney Names Administration and Finance, Human Services, Environment Chiefs. US State News. July 7, 2005.
  23. Web site: O’Neill and Associates Announces Hire of Thomas H. Trimarco. O’Neill and Associates. O’Neill and Associates. October 30, 2012.