Steven Grossman (politician)

Steven Grossman
Born	(1946-02-17) February 17, 1946
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, Politician
Years active	1970s–present
Known for	Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, CEO of Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

Steven Grossman (born February 17, 1946) is a prominent American entrepreneur and former Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts who has also pursued the office of Governor of Massachusetts. His leadership roles include chairing the Massachusetts Democratic Party from 1991 to 1992, presiding over the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) between 1992 and 1996, and serving as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1997 until 1999. In 2015, Grossman took on the role of CEO at the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, a Boston-based nonprofit organization established by Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter, dedicated to revitalizing urban economies.

Prior to his political endeavors, Grossman was employed by Goldman Sachs. He departed in 1975 to engage with his family enterprise, Massachusetts Envelope Company, which is currently known as Grossman Marketing Group.

In 2012, Asset International magazine ranked him 47th among the world's top 100 most influential institutional investors.

Education and military service

Grossman obtained a bachelor's degree in Romance languages from Princeton University in 1967. He later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1969, where he distinguished himself as a Baker Scholar.

During the 1970s, he served in the United States Army Reserve, sharing service time with notable individuals like Thomas P. O'Neill III and Ed Markey.

Political career

Grossman's political involvement includes chairing the Massachusetts Democratic Party from 1991 to 1992, followed by leading the American Israel Public Affairs Committee between 1992 and 1996. Subsequently, he held the position of chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1997 through 1999.

In the 2002 gubernatorial race, Grossman sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of Massachusetts but was unsuccessful. After withdrawing too late to have his name removed from the ballot, he received only 0.80% of the vote, losing to Shannon O'Brien.

He was elected Massachusetts state treasurer in November 2010, succeeding Tim Cahill by defeating Republican State Representative Karyn Polito.

2014 gubernatorial campaign

Grossman declared his intention to run for Governor of Massachusetts on July 13, 2013. During this campaign, he engaged in debates on gun control policies with Jim Wallace representing the Gun Owners' Action League of Massachusetts.

At the June 2014 state convention, he won the endorsement of the Massachusetts Democratic Party by a significant margin. His campaign enjoyed robust support from the LGBT community, including endorsements from all five LGBT state legislators. Additionally, labor unions such as United Union of Roofers Local 33 and Teamsters Local 122 backed his candidacy. Advocacy organizations like Mass Retirees and the Coalition for Social Justice also endorsed him.

The Mass Forward Super PAC supported his campaign; this PAC was notable for being subject to newly implemented state disclosure requirements that revealed major contributors, including Grossman's mother, Shirley Grossman.

On September 9, 2014, Grossman was defeated in the Democratic primary for governor by Martha Coakley.

He subsequently endorsed Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign in 2020.

Personal life

Grossman is married to Barbara Wallace Grossman, who serves as a theater professor at Tufts University. Together they have three children. His daughter-in-law, Becky Walker Grossman, holds a city council seat in Newton, Massachusetts and finished third in the Democratic primary vying to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III.

External links

• Grossman Marketing Group