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Evan Falchuk
Evan Falchuk (b. November 19, 1969) was an United Independent Party candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in the 2014 elections.[1] He and lieutenant gubernatorial running mate Angus Jennings faced the Democratic ticket of Martha Coakley and Steve Kerrigan, the Republican ticket of Charles D. Baker and Karyn Polito and two Independent tickets in the general election on November 4, 2014. Evan Falchuk lost the general election on November 4, 2014.
Prior to launching his campaign for governor, Falchuk worked as a business executive and as an attorney.
Biography
Falchuk served from 1999 until 2013 on the executive team of Best Doctors, Inc., a Boston-based global health care company whose mission is to "provide people the right diagnosis and right treatment."[2] Prior to that, he practiced law in the District of Columbia.[3]
Falchuk worked as an attorney for the Washington D.C. firm Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson from 1994-1999. During his time with the firm, he focused on SEC enforcement.[2]
Falchuk earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and is a Phi Beta Kappa alumnus of Lehigh University, where he earned his B.A. in history. He is fluent in Spanish[4].
He serves on the Board of Directors of the National Coalition on Health Care. Previously, he served as a Corporate Fellow with the National Governors Association. In addition, he has played active advisory roles with the American Benefits Council, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts Health Care Committee and the National Business Group on Health and Vistage.[5][2]
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in history - Lehigh University
- Juris Doctor - University of Pennsylvania Law School
Elections
2014
Falchuk ran for election to the office of Governor of Massachusetts. Falchuk's candidacy was affiliated with the United Independent Party. Falchuk was the first candidate to officially qualify for the November ballot. He submitted over 10,000 signatures more than a month before the July 29, 2014 deadline for candidates not affiliated with the major parties. Falchuk needed to gain more than 3 percent of the vote for the United Independent Party to gain recognition in Massachusetts. At the time of the election, more than half of registered voters in Massachusetts were not affiliated with the Republican or Democratic parties.[6]
Falchuk and lieutenant gubernatorial running mate Angus Jennings faced the Democratic ticket of Martha Coakley and Steve Kerrigan, the Republican ticket of Charles D. Baker and Karyn Polito and two Independent tickets in the general election on November 4, 2014.
Results
| Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Charles D. Baker/Karyn Polito |
48.4% | 1,044,573 | |
| Democratic | Martha Coakley/Steve Kerrigan | 46.5% | 1,004,408 | |
| United Independent | Evan Falchuk/Angus Jennings | 3.3% | 71,814 | |
| Independent | Scott Lively/Shelly Saunders | 0.9% | 19,378 | |
| Independent | Jeffrey McCormick/Tracy Post | 0.8% | 16,295 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.1% | 1,858 | |
| Total Votes | 2,158,326 | |||
| Election results via Massachusetts Secretary of State | ||||
Debates
August 21 independent debate
Evan Falchuk and Jeffrey McCormick discussed the state's economic fortunes, taxes and a statewide referendum on casinos in a debate hosted by Middlesex Community College. Falchuk, who ran as the United Independent Party candidate, argued that high healthcare costs and limited housing options led to the state's economic struggles. McCormick countered that job creation and energy costs were the main culprits for economic problems.[7]
McCormick was criticized by Falchuk over his proposal for a lowered state income tax and shrinking of state agencies. This proposal was to establish a 5 percent income tax and reduce the number of state jobs by eliminating positions as employees retire or move to new jobs. Falchuk suggested that the proposal did not make financial sense, and pushed McCormick to name specific jobs that should be eliminated. McCormick countered that investigations into corruption at the state probation department highlighted the state's wasteful spending.[7]
The two independent candidates also sparred over Question 3 on the November 4 ballot, which would have repealed a 2011 law allowing resort casinos to operate in Massachusetts. McCormick supported Question 3 and claimed that the law was only beneficial to casino operators. Falchuk opposed Question 3, as he believed that the people of Massachusetts and their representatives already dealt with the matter. He compared the measure to efforts by congressional Republicans to sue President Barack Obama over the Affordable Care Act.[7] Question 3 was not approved by voters.
Campaign Media
Television
Campaign themes
2014
In a biography Falchuk submitted to Ballotpedia, he described his political philosophy:
"I and my supporters with the United Independent movement in Massachusetts are focused on socially progressive ideas and fiscally sensible solutions - an area where I believe the majority of voters in Massachusetts are. Nearly 53 percent of voters in Massachusetts are "unenrolled" - choosing not to be tied to either the Democratic or Republican parties. These millions of voters are looking for pragmatic, common-sense solutions rather than temporary, quick fixes or partisan sound bites. I believe that by taking the time to communicate with and build consensus among voters on innovative, forward-looking proposals and initiatives, we have a tremendous opportunity to improve what has become the "politics as usual" climate in Massachusetts, and show greater respect for voters' priorities and voices in the process."[2]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Falchuk has resided in Auburndale, Mass., with his wife, Felicia Falchuk, and their three children. Falchuk is Jewish. His brother, Brad Falchuk, is co-creator of several hit TV shows including “Glee,” and his mother, Nancy Falchuk, is the immediate past president of Hadassah.[8]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Evan + Falchuk + Massachusetts + Governor"
News Articles
- "Independent Voter Network News places Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Evan Falchuk in nationwide list of top independent politicos"
- "Gov. hopeful Falchuk seeks votes of independents"
- "Falchuk named to national list of 'Ten Influential Politicians in the Independent Movement to Watch'"
- "MassLive.com checks out independent candidate Evan Falchuk's bid for Governor of Massachusetts"
- "Falchuk forging own path in gubernatorial candidacy – The Sentinel and Enterprise"
- "Newly formed United Independent Party makes MA gubernatorial run – Independent Voter Network News"
- "Independent Evan Falchuk announces run for Governor – MassLive.com"
Published Articles and Letters by Falchuk
- "The two-party lock on politics-The Boston Globe"
- "Five Myths Duping Voters – The Standard Times/ SouthCoastToday.com"
- "Debates show politicians must get real, Falchuk argues – The Boston Globe"
See also
- Governor of Massachusetts
- Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2014
- Evan Falchuk plans run for governor-State House News Service (pdf)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Wicked Local, Newton's Don Berwick announces run for governor, June 17, 2013 (dead link) (dead link)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 E-mail biography submission from candidate, received July 24, 2013
- ↑ The Republican/Masslive, Independent health care executive Evan Falchuk announces run for governor, June 5 2013
- ↑ State House News Service reprinted in Sentinel & Enterprise, Falchuk forging own path to gubernatorial candidacy, June 6 2013
- ↑ National Coalition on Health Care, "Board of Directors," accessed August 14, 2013
- ↑ The Kansas City Star, "Independent makes November ballot in Massachusetts," June 23, 2014 (dead link)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Sentinel & Enteprise, "GOVERNOR DEBATE: McCormick, Falchuk weigh in on casinos, energy policy," August 22, 2014
- ↑ Hadassah, National Board, accessed August 1, 2013
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