Francis X. Bellotti
Encyclopedia
Francis Xavier Bellotti (born May 3, 1923) is an American lawyer and politician. In his first campaign he was the Democratic nominee for District Attorney
of Norfolk County
in 1958, but was defeated in the general election. In 1962 Bellotti was elected as Lieutenant Governor
for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1963 to 1965. In 1964 he had challenged the sitting governor of his own party, Endicott Peabody
, and defeated him in the Democratic Primary; but lost in the general election to John Volpe who thus regained the chair he had lost in 1962. From 1975 to 1987 he served three terms as Massachusetts Attorney General
. In that capacity he instilled professionalism among his staff, was a leader for civil rights and served as President of the National Association of Attorneys General. He also sought the nomination of the Democratic party for governor in 1970 and in 1990, but was defeated in the Democratic primary election in both elections losing to Kevin White
the first time and John Silber
the second.
In his official capacity for the state he was the named party in the commercial speech case: First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti
, 435 U.S. 765 (1978), which established that corporations have some free speech rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution
.
Bellotti graduated from Tufts University
in 1947 and received his law degree from Boston College
in 1952. Since leaving office, Bellotti has practiced law in Boston, Massachusetts with the firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo. He is the father of twelve children.
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
of Norfolk County
Norfolk County
Norfolk County may refer to one of several counties:*Norfolk, a county in England*Norfolk County, Massachusetts*Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada*Norfolk County, Virginia,...
in 1958, but was defeated in the general election. In 1962 Bellotti was elected as Lieutenant Governor
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1963 to 1965. In 1964 he had challenged the sitting governor of his own party, Endicott Peabody
Endicott Peabody
Endicott "Chub" Peabody was the 62nd Governor of Massachusetts from January 3, 1963 to January 7, 1965.-Early life:...
, and defeated him in the Democratic Primary; but lost in the general election to John Volpe who thus regained the chair he had lost in 1962. From 1975 to 1987 he served three terms as Massachusetts Attorney General
Massachusetts Attorney General
The Massachusetts Attorney General is an elected executive officer of the Massachusetts Government. The office of Attorney-General was abolished in 1843 and re-established in 1849. The current Attorney General is Martha Coakley....
. In that capacity he instilled professionalism among his staff, was a leader for civil rights and served as President of the National Association of Attorneys General. He also sought the nomination of the Democratic party for governor in 1970 and in 1990, but was defeated in the Democratic primary election in both elections losing to Kevin White
Kevin White
Kevin Hagan White is an American politician best known as the Mayor of Boston, a position he held from 1968 to 1984.-Early years:...
the first time and John Silber
John Silber
John Robert Silber is an American academician and former candidate for public office. From 1971 to 1996 he was President of Boston University and from 1996 to 2003 Chancellor of the University. Since 2003 he has been its President Emeritus. In 1990, Silber took a leave of absence from the...
the second.
In his official capacity for the state he was the named party in the commercial speech case: First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti
First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti
First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti, 435 U.S. 765 , was a case in which the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that corporations had a First Amendment right to make contributions in order to attempt to influence political processes...
, 435 U.S. 765 (1978), which established that corporations have some free speech rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
.
Bellotti graduated from Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
in 1947 and received his law degree from Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
in 1952. Since leaving office, Bellotti has practiced law in Boston, Massachusetts with the firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo. He is the father of twelve children.