Daniel P. McKiernan

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Daniel P. McKiernan is an American politician and lawyer who represented the 7th district in the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 2015 to 2021.[1][2] A member of the Democratic Party, McKiernan was elected to the state house in 2014.[1] McKiernan attempted to run for re-election in 2020, but lost in a three-way primary to David Morales.[2]

Early life and education

McKiernan graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in 1984. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Boston College in 1988 and a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School in 1991.[3]

Career

McKiernan was first elected to the state house in 2014.[1] He was elected by primarying incumbent representative Maria Cimini with support from house speaker Nicholas Mattiello, who supported McKiernan because Cimini did not support Mattiello's bid to become house speaker.[4] Throughout his period in the state house, McKiernan garnered a reputation for being "ordinary", voting along party lines and rarely sponsoring legislation.[5] In 2020, McKiernan faced two primary challengers, David Morales, a progressive who had support from the Democratic Socialists of America and the Sunrise Movement, and Angel Subervi, a centrist who primaried McKiernan due to the latter being perceived as out of touch with his district.[5] McKiernan lost the primary to Morales, getting 28% of the vote to Morales' 49%, with Subervi getting 23%.[2]

Personal life

McKiernan has a wife, with whom they have two children.[3]

References

  1. 1.[1.2][1.3]"2020 Election Profile: Daniel McKiernan, House District 7". Go Local Providence. September 2, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  2. 2.[2.2][2.3]Gavigan, Parker (September 11, 2020). "Multiple incumbents lose to challengers after final count in RI primary". WJAR. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  3. 3.[3.2]"Daniel P. McKiernan". State of Rhode Islan General Assembly. Archived from the original on Dec 27, 2022. Retrieved Sep 12, 2025.
  4. 4.Gregg, Katherine; Bogdan, Jennifer (July 20, 2014). "Political Scene: Ex-GOP Rep. Ehrhardt ruffles feathers by backing Democrat Craven". Providence Journal. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  5. 5.[5.2]Rock, Julia (August 27, 2020). "Can David Morales's ground game unseat a machine-backed state representative in Providence?". A Little Rhody. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.