ma_gov_CELLUCCI

ACTING GOVERNOR PAUL CELLUCCI

• Born Argeo Paul Cellucci in Marlboro, Massachusetts, he grew up in Hudson, a small town in central Massachusetts where his grandfather settled after emigrating from Italy in 1910. His father, Argeo L. Cellucci, owned a car dealership.

• Both his father and grandfather have held public office. His grandfather served as a public works commissioner, and his father is head of the industrial commission, which seeks to bring business to Hudson.

• Cellucci graduated from high school in 1966. He joined ROTC at Boston College and graduated in 1970 with a degree in accounting. After graduating from college, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. He spent several years in the Army Reserves, but he was spared from serving in Vietnam.

• He married his high school sweetheart, Jan Garnett, and worked at his fatherÂ's car dealership to put himself through law school. He graduated from Boston College Law School in 1973.

• After law school, Cellucci went into private practice in Hudson, eventually becoming a partner in the law firm of Kittredge, Cellucci and Moreira, P.C.. He also embarked on his political career and won a place on the Hudson Board of Selectmen in 1971.

• In 1976, Cellucci ran for his first term as a State Representative. After four terms in the State HouseCellucci ran for the State Senate. In his third and final Senate term, Cellucci was chosen Assistant Republican Leader.

• In 1990, Cellucci ran for Lieutenant Governor as the running mate of William Weld. The Weld/Cellucci ticket won that year, and proceeded to be re-elected in 1994 with 71% of the vote -- a historic margin.

• Cellucci ascended to the governorship in July 1997 when Gov. William Weld resigned to pursue (unsuccessfully) his appointment as U.S. ambassador to Mexico.