The man who dares to defy Speaker Finneran

Part 2

by Michael Crowley

In a way, Chris Hodgkins's up-and-down career has come full circle. He started out on Beacon Hill in much the same role he occupies now -- a clamorous, low-ranking agitator lobbing bombs at a powerful House Speaker.

After being graduated from Berkshire Community College and UMass/Amherst, Hodgkins, 39, worked as a teacher and a cop. He was elected to the legislature in 1983 from the Berkshire mill town of Lee (population 6000) on a liberal platform focused on House-rules reform. As a headstrong freshman, he challenged the power of tyrannical Speaker Tommy McGee, and helped lead a rebellion that opened House proceedings to live television coverage.

Hodgkins's district, which touches the New York and Connecticut borders, lies farther from Boston than any other in the state, and the kind of flamboyant populism with which Hodgkins has made his name has always played well there. The local papers loved it, for instance, when Hodgkins last summer attacked a bond bill that he denounced as pork-laden by propping a miniature Christmas tree on the House podium. "It's Christmas in July," he declared. When he made a 1991 bid for Congress, Hodgkins's campaign was flavored with a fight-the-power attitude, especially on environmental and consumer issues. His slogan: "Slightly outrageous. Very effective." In one memorable campaign poster, Hodgkins sprayed the camera with a can labeled BUG THEM TO DEATH. He ultimately finished a shade out of second in the special primary for the seat left vacant by the death of Republican stalwart Silvio Conte, and eventually captured by then state senator John Olver (D-Amherst).

That manic political style is a natural outgrowth of Hodgkins's brash personality, which is charged with a nervous energy. He tends to bounce his leg restlessly when seated. Making an objection on the House floor, he bolts up from his chair with a shout. He's a big guy, but retains a young face with telltale flashes of mischievousness. In fact, with his broad frame, wide smile, and thick silver hair, Hodgkins bears an unlikely resemblance to Newt Gingrich.

Over the years, Hodgkins worked his way into the ranks of the House leadership. He was a top lieutenant to former House Speaker Charles Flaherty, and chaired a string of influential committees -- most recently the State Administration Committee, where in 1994 he was a key figure in squashing Bill Weld's proposed $700 million megaplex. (He called it "a welfare-for-the-rich program.")

By 1996, Chris Hodgkins's career was speeding smoothly along the political tracks. Then came the head-on collision with Tommy Finneran.

Part 3

Michael Crowley can be reached at mcrowley[a]phx.com.