James H. "Jim" Fagan (born October 13, 1947, in Taunton, Massachusetts) is an American attorney and politician who represented the 3rd Bristol District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1993 to 2011.
Education and career
Fagan graduated with a BA from Bridgewater State College in 1969. Between 1969 and 1970, he taught at Mulcahey Elementary School in Taunton, where he was also a coach. In 1973, Fagan earned his JD from Suffolk University Law School. After joining a private law practice for two years, Fagan became a Bristol County assistant district attorney, serving at the Taunton District Court; he would hold this position from 1975 to 1976.
Following his term as assistant district attorney, Fagan returned to private practice in 1976 as a partner of Fagan & Goldrick, PC. His long tenure in law has given Fagan a reputation as a “well-known defense attorney.” Fagan has stated that he represents “serious people,” and he has also remarked that “the people I represent know how to bleeping kill a guy”.
Fagan is known for his off-the-cuff remarks, illustrated by his characterization in the Boston Herald as “an outspoken lawmaker and defense lawyer.” In one instance, Fagan's local newspaper, the Taunton Gazette notes that Fagan's “brash and quick wit” is viewed by some observers as a “propensity for occasional over-the-top outbursts.”
Massachusetts House of Representatives
1992
In 1992, incumbent Representative Marc Pacheco decided to run for Massachusetts Senate, leaving open his 3rd Bristol District seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. At the time, the 3rd Bristol district included all of wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 in the city of Taunton.
Fagan ran in the Democratic Party primary for the seat, facing opponents Carol Doharty, Gail Tardo, Alfred Baptista Jr, and George Bertoldo. In a close race, Fagan won the nomination with 2,106 votes to Doharty's 2,024 and Tardo's 1,993.
Fagan faced Republican Audrey Zrebiec in the general election. He defeated her by a 35-point margin, garnering 10,870 votes to Zrebiec's 5,130 votes. This would prove to be Fagan's most competitive election for nearly two decades.
1994
Due to the results of the 1990 United States Census, the boundaries of Fagan's districts were altered slightly prior to the 1994 election. The newly drawn district, still wholly within the city of Taunton, now included all of wards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as ward 7, precinct A; and ward 8, precinct B.
Running for re-election, Fagan faced no opposition in the Democratic primary or the general election, and thus secured a second term in the House.
1996
In 1996, Fagan again faced no opposition in the primary or general election, and was re-elected to a third term.
1998
Fagan's path to a fourth term was easy again in 1998, as he was re-elected without any opposition in the primary or general election for the third consecutive cycle.
2000
In 2000, Fagan again faced no opposition in the primary or general election, securing a fifth term with relative ease.
2002
As a result of the 2000 United States Census, the district boundaries were somewhat changed prior to the 2002 election. The new 3rd Bristol district, which was still completely within the city of Taunton, now included all of wards 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8, as well as ward 1, precinct B.
Fagan again faced no opposition in the primary election, and only minor opposition in the general. He received 7,809 votes compared to 45 votes for all other candidates, sending him to a sixth term in the House.
2004
Seeking a seventh term in 2004, Fagan faced only trivial opposition in both the primary and general elections, winning with over 99% of the vote in both contests.
2006
Fagan yet again faced only minor opposition in the 2006 primary and general campaigns, prevailing with over 99% of voters for both elections.
2008
In 2008, Fagan sought re-election to a ninth term in the House. He faced minor opposition in both the primary and general, and claimed victory with over 98% of votes in both elections.
2010
Fagan ran for re-election to a tenth term in the House in 2010. In the primary election, he faced no major opposition, and won with 97.9% of the votes cast. However, for the first time since his initial election in 1992, Fagan faced serious opposition in the general election. His Republican opponent was court reporter Shaunna O'Connell.