Ronald MacKenzie
| Ronald MacKenzie | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate | |
|
In office 1967–1977 |
|
| Preceded by | James J. Long |
| Succeeded by | Carol Amick |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 3, 1934 Waltham, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | Burlington, Massachusetts |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College B.A.; Boston University M.Ed. |
| Occupation | Insurance salesman, legislator, Director of Veterans' Services, attorney |
Ronald Conrad MacKenzie is an American attorney and Republican politician who served in the Massachusetts Senate from 1967 to 1977. He resigned following his conviction for extortion, conspiracy, and other related offenses.
MacKenzie was born on May 3, 1934 in Waltham, Massachusetts. He graduated from Winchester High School and went on to earn an Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Dartmouth College in 1956. He served as First Lieutenant in the United States Army. Prior to becoming a legislator, MacKenzie sold insurance. In 1976, MacKenzie graduated from Suffolk University Law School.
In 1963 MacKenzie served as chairman of a signature drive for an initiative petition drive to weaken the power of the Massachusetts Governor's Council. The drive was successful and the question appeared on the ballot in 1964. It failed, 1,059,352 votes to 625,194.
In 1964, MacKenzie challenged incumbent Democratic state senator James J. Long in the 7th Middlesex District. He lost 53% to 47%. In 1966, MacKenzie challenged Long again. This time, MacKenzie won with 55% of the vote.
In 1969, MacKenzie and Representative John Mella sponsored a plan to expand Fenway Park. Their bill would have granted the Boston Redevelopment Authority the power to purchase land outside Fenway Park and sell it to a private developer. The park's capacity would have been raised to 50,000 by knocking out the Green Monster and installing double-decker bleachers throughout the park. In addition to housing the Boston Red Sox, the expanded stadium would have been home to the Boston Patriots. In November of that year, MacKenzie filed legislation to select a 4,000 acre (1,600 ha) site for the construction of a planned community that could house 250,000 people. Also in 1969, MacKenzie filed a bill that would make possession of marijuana a misdemeanor rather than a felony.
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