Joseph Rafferty Jr. (born 1955) is an American educator, high school gridiron football coach, and Democratic politician from Maine. Rafferty has been the head coach of the Kennebunk High School Rams football team since 1979 and is currently serving his first term in the Maine Senate representing District 34, which consists of Kennebunk, Wells, Acton, Lebanon, North Berwick, and part of Berwick. Rafferty was born in 1955 and grew up in Woburn, Massachusetts. He attended Springfield College, graduated in 1977 and began teaching and coaching at Kennebunk High School in 1978. As an educator, he was active in the teachers' unions and helped negotiate contracts on their behalf. He retired from full-time teaching in 2018 but continues to coach football. Rafferty was elected to the Maine Senate in 2020 and is currently serving his first term.
Joe Rafferty | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Maine Senate from the 34th district | |
| Assumed office December 2, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Foley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1955 (age 68–69) Woburn, Massachusetts |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Norma Nardone |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Kennebunk, Maine |
| Occupation | Retired teacher, football coach |
| Website | https://rafferty.mainecandidate.com/ |
Early life, education & teaching career
editRafferty was born in 1955[1] in Woburn, Massachusetts, one of six children. His father worked in a tannery and as a postal worker, and his mother was a homemaker and school cafeteria worker.[2] His first job was at Woburn's Spence Farm as a teenager,[3] and he attended Springfield College and graduated with a degree in physical education in 1977. He was the first person in his family to graduate from college.[2]
Rafferty was first hired to a teaching and coaching job in Foxborough that fell through in late summer,[4] and he drove to Maine to interview at Kennebunk High School having never been to Maine before. He began teaching and coaching at Kennebunk High School in 1978 and was the assistant football coach for one year before taking over as head coach in 1979.[5] Rafferty was on the teachers' union executive board and negotiating team[3] and retired from full-time teaching in 2018, although he continues to coach, substitute teach and drive buses for the school district.[2][5]
On October 4, 2019, Rafferty won his 200th game as head coach of the Kennebunk Rams.[6] As of the end of the 2020 season, he has a record of 204-177, a 1991 state championship and three trips to the championship game in 1999, 2013 and 2016.[5]
Maine Senate
editRafferty was approached to run for office several times during his teaching career, but explained in 2020 that he had always suggested a post-retirement run as a better fit. When he retired in 2018, friends and colleagues including Maine Senate President Troy Jackson "came back after me again,” beginning in July 2019.[5] He announced his run in February 2020. Rafferty was a clean elections candidate[7] and used "Coach Joe" campaign signs. [5] He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican Michael Pardue in the general election 52%-48%.[1] Rafferty has been the chair of the Education & Cultural Affairs committee since 2020.[8]
Personal life
edit
Rafferty and his wife Norma Nardone, a teacher, live in Kennebunk, Maine. They have three adult daughters.[3] Rafferty enjoys being outdoors: Fishing, hiking, boating, golf, skiing, canoeing, running and biking "as much as possible".[9]
Electoral record
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Rafferty | 4,538 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 4,538 | 100.0% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Rafferty | 13,949 | 51.9% | |
| Republican | Michael Pardue | 12,947 | 48.1% | |
| Total votes | 100.0% | |||
References
edit- ^ a b c Sullivan, Shawn P. (4 November 2020). "Joe Rafferty scores Maine Senate District 34 seat". Seacoast Online. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d "About Joe/Joe's Story". Joe Rafferty. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Joseph Rafferty Jr". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ a b Craig, Steve (28 September 2018). "After 40 years, the love goes on for Kennebunk football coach". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Craig, Steve (8 November 2020). "Esteemed football coaches pull off victories – on election day". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ a b Lowe, Mike (4 October 2019). "Football: Kennebunk beats Massabesic for Joe Rafferty's 200th career win". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ a b Wells, Tammy (13 February 2020). "Coach Rafferty makes a play for the Maine Senate". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Sen. Joseph Rafferty (D - York)". Maine State Legislature. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Joseph E. Rafferty Jr., Maine Senate 34". Portland Press Herald. 8 October 2020. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.