John Francis Kennedy

John Francis Kennedy was the Treasurer of Massachusetts from 1955 to 1961.

Kennedy worked as a company supervisor for Gillette in Canton, Massachusetts before seeking public office. Kennedy first sought the office of Treasurer in 1952, losing the Democratic primary to Foster Furcolo. Kennedy sought the office again in 1954, defeating the party endorsed candidate and a third candidate in the Primary. cite news
title=Bay State Race Tightens
publisher=Christian Science Monitor
date=September 15, 1954
accessdate=2007-10-07] Kennedy then defeated a Republican to win the office. cite news
title=Kennedy Spices Treasurer Tilt
publisher=Christian Science Monitor
date=August 27, 1958
accessdate=2007-10-07]

Kennedy's electoral success is widely seen to be a result of him having the same name as then-Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy. Kennedy's campaigns consisted of him spending $200 total ($100 for the primary, $100 for the general election) and bypassing a party convention to directly compete in the primary. After serving three terms as Treasurer, Kennedy sought the office of Governor of Massachusetts in 1960. Kennedy finished in 5th place (of 7 candidates) with 8.85%.

The 1960 Massachusetts primary involved six John Kennedy's seeking office. John Kennedy of Canton (The State Treasurer) sought the office of Governor. John B. Kennedy of Saugus and John M. Kennedy of Boston both sought the office of state treasurer. John Kennedy of Braintree sought the office of Norfolk county commissioner. Two John Kennedy's (from Everett and Plymouth) both sought seats in the Massachusetts State House cite news
title='John Kennedy' Takes Over Mass. Primary
publisher=UPI
date=September 20, 1960
accessdate=2007-10-07] . In the State Treasurer's race, Kennedy of Saugus finished third and Kennedy of Boston finished 5th in a six man field. cite news
title=Tally Nails Down O'Connor's Win
publisher=Christian Science Monitor
date=September 27, 1960
accessdate=2007-10-07]

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