PATRICK GUERRIERO, President 
Patrick Guerriero has devoted his career to public service. This former mayor, state representative, and candidate for lieutenant governor in Massachusetts joined Log Cabin Republicans as Executive Director in January 2003. Guerriero, who grew up in a working class family, has earned a reputation as a dedicated, effective, and compassionate public servant.
Guerriero is a leading voice for freedom and fairness in the Republican Party. He has appeared on all the major television networks on programs such as "Hardball with Chris Matthews", "The O'Reilly Factor", "Nightline", and "Inside Politics". Plus, he has been featured in many publications including The Washington Post, The New York Times Magazine, and The Los Angeles Times. Guerriero has written op-eds for "The Wall Street Journal", "The Boston Globe" and other newspapers.
Since taking over Log Cabin, Guerriero has dramatically increased membership, doubled the budget, and developed new chapters across America. Log Cabin was the leading conservative voice that helped defeat the anti-family Federal Marriage Amendment in the U.S. House and Senate in 2004. Guerriero continues leading Log Cabin's efforts to stop this discriminatory and unnecessary constitutional amendment.
Guerriero is a skilled candidate who has never lost an election. He won three terms for state representative and two terms for mayor of Melrose, Massachusetts, his hometown. He also is a dedicated Republican activist and political adviser to several Massachusetts governors, including Governors William Weld, Paul Cellucci, and Jane Swift. In the words of Governor Swift, Patrick Guerriero is a "person of talent, of integrity, of commitment, and class."
Guerriero has championed issues important to all citizens including lower taxes, smaller government, improved public schools, safer neighborhoods, and equal rights. In addition, he has advocated for anti-hate-crimes legislation, HIV/AIDS funding, and proposals to give recognition and protection to gay and lesbian families.
Throughout his political career, Guerriero has worked well with Democrats—finding common ground on issues where compromise is possible. At Log Cabin, Guerriero has built coalitions with other gay and lesbian organizations—working with people across the ideological spectrum to develop a bipartisan strategy for achieving equality.
A Son of an Immigrant
Guerriero, 36, is the son of an Italian immigrant and mason, Pasquale, and a social worker, Sandra. He enjoys a close relationship with his parents, his two sisters, his nieces and his grandfather, who is an Albanian immigrant. Guerriero learned hard work, leadership, and values from his working class family. He worked his way through college—including summers spent mixing cement and hauling bricks for the family masonry business. He played soccer and served as student body president before graduating Summa cum laude from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1990. The next year, Guerriero attended Boston College's Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. Fellowship in American Government Program.
Stepping Up to Public Service
In 1993, Guerriero won a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives at age 25. During three terms in the House, he cast more than 1,000 consecutive votes, never missing one. Guerriero fought for lower taxes, fiscal discipline, excellent public schools, improved public safety, and welfare reform. Additionally, Guerriero's advocacy for strong local government earned him the 1998 Fenn Award for Political Leadership from the Kennedy Library's New Frontier Society and the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
A Hometown Leader
In January 1998, Guerriero became the mayor of the City of Melrose, a Boston suburb. As mayor, he emphasized fiscal discipline, excellent public schools, and a better quality of life. His hands-on style, including help collecting trash and plowing snow - won him the respect and support of Melrose residents. They gave him 80% of the vote in re-electing him to a second term.
A staunch supporter of the state's landmark 1993 Education Reform Act that required students to pass standardized graduation tests, Guerriero withstood sharp criticism and implemented high standards and accountability in the public schools. He also led the way to the city building its first new schools in more than 30 years.
Under Guerriero's leadership, the city gained national attention for its "civility initiative," which encouraged residents to show each other respect and courtesy. This project inexpensively and effectively improved the quality of life in the city, and won the mayor and Melrose honors in the U.S. Mayor's Association 2000 City Livability Awards.
In May 2001, Guerriero stepped down as mayor to join the administration of Governor Jane Swift. Elected as lieutenant governor in 1998, Swift became the first female governor in Massachusetts' history when Governor Cellucci became U.S. ambassador to Canada. Swift invited Guerriero to join her administration as deputy chief of staff. He advised Swift on a range of policy issues, including the extension of domestic partner benefits to state employees. In the days following 9/11, Guerriero gathered together religious leaders of all faiths to meet with the governor and join her in urging citizens to respect their neighbors and end a growing backlash toward Muslim residents.
History is Made
In January 2002, Guerriero received national attention when Governor Swift invited him to run for lieutenant governor as her running mate. Guerriero's selection marked the first time in American history that an incumbent governor selected an openly gay politician as a running mate. He campaigned as a fighter for lower taxes, fiscal discipline, and improved public schools.
Since taking over Log Cabin Republicans, Guerriero has become a powerful voice for freedom and fairness in the Republican Party. He is a noted public speaker who has addressed corporations, conventions, non-profit organizations, and college classes on the issues of diversity, civil rights, and the need for inclusion in the GOP. |
