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Former Democratic party chief Grossman to run for treasurer

E-mail|Link|Comments () July 7, 2009 07:29 PM

By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff

Former gubernatorial candidate and Democratic party official Steven Grossman said today he will run for state treasurer, a decision he made this morning after learning that the current officeholder, Tim Cahill, will leave the Democratic party this week in a first step toward a likely independent challenge of Democratic Governor Deval Patrick next year.

Steven Grossman

"I thought it is the right time," said Grossman, 63, of Newton, who ran for governor in 2002 and has led both the state and national Democratic parties. "I want to be out early and let people know I'm running. This is not a committee formation or a trial balloon. When I do something, I try to do it decisively and bring every ounce of energy I have."

Grossman, who said he will run even if Cahill seeks reelection as an independent candidate for treasurer, will likely enter a crowded field. The names of several other potential candidates surfaced today, including state Senator Mark Montigny, a New Bedford Democrat; state Representative Tom Conroy, a Wayland Democrat; Norfolk County Sheriff Michael Bellotti; and Plymouth County Treasurer Thomas O'Brien.

In 1997 and 1998, Grossman was co-chair of the Democratic National Committee. He left the post in December 1998 to return to Newton to spend more time with his father, who had Parkinson's disease. He didn't give up politics, however, and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2002. During 2007, he was one of the leaders in fund-raising for Hillary Clinton in Massachusetts as she sought the Democratic nomination.

A businessman and philanthropist, Grossman's lengthy resume also includes raising funds for former Governor Michael Dukakis's presidential campaign, chairing Senate campaigns for Senator John Kerry, and serving as the chairman of the state Democratic party.

During his run for governor in 2002, despite those experiences, he portrayed himself as a businessman and an outsider, saying he would bring "reform, decisive leadership, high standards, and accountability" to the office.