Meet James FX Doherty
James FX Doherty is an accomplished lawyer, court official and public office holder who has been both a leader and activist in the Democratic Party and is actively campaigning to become the Essex County Clerk of Courts.
Doherty, who lives in Salem MA, grew up in neighboring Beverly MA in a household where political involvement was not only encouraged but expected. His father Edward served as an Alderman-at-Large for 12 years and his mother, Marguerite, was the longest serving Secretary -Treasurer of the Beverly Democratic City Committee. His uncle, Gerard Doherty, served as a State Representative who went on to become the Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee.
Jim was first elected to city wide office in Beverly at the age of 24 and went on to be re-elected for a total of four terms serving 8 years for what is now the Beverly City Council. Doherty was elected four times as a delegate to the Massachusetts Democratic State Convention and gained first-hand experience in national politics when he served as the Treasurer of the Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention.
Along with his three politically active brothers, Ed, Tim, and Dan Doherty, they all worked extensively on many local, state, and national Democratic campaigns. He is the father of four children, Erin, Sean, Connor, and Kara Doherty, who were raised in Beverly and who all still work and live on the Northshore.
Doherty is campaigning for accountability- not just for the individual but for all court constituencies to take a candid look at why most people are in court to begin with because the law should work for everyone, but often it doesn’t.
Jim believes that the Clerk of Courts should not be an elected but an appointed position as it prevents many qualified individuals from being Clerk unless they have the time, money, and political resources to run for political office.
He’s also a strong advocate for term limits for the Clerk’s position. No candidate regardless of performance should be able to seek a fifth, six-year term for what would be for a total of 30 years, if served. Even the President of the United States has a two-term limit for a total of 8 years.
James FX Doherty has years of trial court legal and procedural experience as an attorney and currently serves as an Assistant Clerk Magistrate in the Massachusetts Court system. Among his many court duties and responsibilities, he takes pride in his involvement in the Boston Veteran’s Treatment Court and with the Homeless Court Session of the Boston Municipal Court.
James FX Doherty needs your vote for Essex County Clerk of Courts in the Democratic State Primary election on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.