Royall H. Switzler

Royall H. Switzler (born September 27, 1938 in Boston[1]) is an American politician who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1973 to 1975 and again from 1977 to 1986. He was a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 1986 until he dropped out after inaccuracies about his military record were revealed.

Royall H. Switzler
Switzler c. 1985
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office
1973–1975
Preceded byRichard W. Daly
Succeeded byBruce H. Zeiser
(redistricting)
Constituency9th Norfolk
In office
1977–1986
Preceded byBruce H. Zeiser
Succeeded byRobert H. Marsh
Constituency15th Norfolk (1977–79)
14th Norfolk (1979–86)
Personal details
Born (1938-09-27) September 27, 1938
Boston, Massachusetts
Political partyRepublican
RelativesWilliam Franklin Switzler (great-great-grandfather)
ResidenceWellesley, Massachusetts
Alma materNortheastern University
OccupationReal Estate Broker
Politician

Massachusetts House of Representatives

A real estate broker and a Wellesley, Massachusetts Town Meeting Member, Switzler was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1972.[1]

In 1974, redistricting forced Switzler to face fellow Republican representative Bruce H. Zeiser in the newly created 15th Norfolk District. Zeiser defeated Switzler 1,939 votes to 1,803.[2]

Zeiser did not run for re-election in 1976 and Switzler ran to succeed him.[3] He defeated Edwina Giles in the Republican primary and David J. Daly in the general election.[4]

During his tenure as State Representative, Switzler was described as an "outspoken" and "vociferous" critic of the House leadership[5][6] and as "an unsufferable [sic] windbag"[7] who continuously used dilatory motions and tactics to delay the legislative process.[8]

Switzler co-wrote the property tax law known as Proposition 2½, which was passed by ballot initiative in 1980.[9] In 1985 he sponsored a successful bill that prevented the Department of Social Services from placing foster children with homosexual couples.[10]

1986 gubernatorial election

At the 1986 Massachusetts Republican Convention, Switzler was drafted by Republicans who opposed the nomination of Greg Hyatt after an unsuccessful attempt to get former Congressman Paul W. Cronin to enter the race.[11] After Switzler's strong showing on the first ballot (891 votes for Hyatt, 775 votes for Switzler, 258 votes for Guy Carbone), some of Hyatt's major supporters, including Ray Shamie and Papa Gino's founder Michael Valerio, announced that they would not oppose Switzler's nomination.[11] On the second ballot, Switzler won the nomination with 975 votes to Hyatt's 876 and Carbone's 60.[12]

After winning the nomination, Switzler resigned his House seat to focus on his campaign full-time.[13]

In June, Switzler dropped out of the race after inaccuracies about his military record were revealed. He had falsely claimed to be a member of the United States Army Special Forces and stated that he had fought in Vietnam when he had only visited Vietnam on leave from noncombat duty in Korea.[14]

Later life

From 1991 to 2000, Switzler was a member of the Wellesley Board of Selectmen.[15]

In 2010, Switzler ran as a write-in candidate for his old House seat. He gained enough signatures to win the Republican nomination,[9] but lost in the general election to incumbent Alice Peisch.[16]

References
  1. 1973-1974 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  2. Election Statistics; The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1974.
  3. Election Statistics; The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1976.
  4. Election Statistics; The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1976.
  5. Black, Chris (December 19, 1982). "The Legislature's Whirlwind Week of Giving". Boston Globe. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  6. Charles Kenney; Laurence Collins (July 16, 1981). "Budget Passed, Sent to King; Compromise Wins Overwhelming OK". Boston Globe. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  7. Turner, Robert L. (January 5, 1986). "Midnight Games on the Hill". Boston Globe. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  8. Vennochi, Joan (December 31, 1985). "Deadline Today for Lawmakers". Boston Globe. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  9. Salsberg, Bob (October 31, 2010). "GOP seeks modest gains in Mass. Legislature". Associated Press. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  10. "Panel Modifies Proposal on Gay Foster Parents". Boston Globe. June 27, 1985. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  11. Andrew J. Dabilis (April 13, 1986). "Switzler Drive Put Together in 4 1/2 Hours". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2011-01-11.
  12. Bruce Mohl (April 14, 1986). "GOP'S Gears Set in Motion; Switzler Plots Strategy, Signals Hyatt Should Quit". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2011-01-11.
  13. Peter B. Sleeper; Ray Richard (September 17, 1986). "6-Term Rep. Bolling of Mattapan Upset by Boston School Board's Owens Hicks". Boston Globe. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  14. Bruce Mohl (June 5, 1986). "ACCUSATIONS, TURMOIL SWIRL OVER SWITZLER". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  15. Silverberg, Bret (October 9, 2010). "New Candidate Switzler Discusses Old Business". Weston Patch. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  16. "Return of Votes For Massachusetts State Election November 2, 2010" (PDF). William Francis Galvin Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
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