William H. Burke, Jr.

William H. Burke Jr. (1906–1975) was an American political figure who served as chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party and Collector of Customs for the Port of Boston.

Early life Burke was born in 1906 to William H. Burke Sr. and Della Maloney Burke in Hatfield, Massachusetts. He attended Smith Academy and St. John's Preparatory School.

Burke began his political involvement in 1934 when he assisted James Michael Curley during his successful run for Governor of Massachusetts. During Curley's tenure as Governor, Burke worked as a placement officer in the State Public Works Department.

In 1938 he ran for Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts. He finished fifth in an eight-candidate Democratic primary. He resigned on December 9, 1944, after he was named Collector of Customs for the Port of Boston.

Collector of Customs for the Port of Boston In 1944, Burke was appointed Collector of Customs for the Port of Boston by president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Burke was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 23, 1944, and sworn in on December 17, 1944. He resigned in 1952 after Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president. In 1956, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Carr was not legally elected and Burke became party chairman. Burke was supported by House Majority Leader John William McCormack, but opposed by Senator John F. Kennedy. Kennedy opposed Burke because Kennedy supported Adlai Stevenson for the party's presidential nomination in 1956 while Burke supported McCormack. Burke was defeated by Lynch 47 votes to 31 at the 1956 convention.

Death Burke died on April 17, 1975, after suffering a heart attack at his home in Hatfield.