Royall H. Switzler
Encyclopedia
Royall H. Switzler 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.
Town Meeting Member, Switzler was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1972.
In 1974, redistricting forced Switzler to face fellow Republican representative Bruce Zeiser in the newly created 15th Norfolk District. Zeiser defeated Switzler 1,939 votes to 1,803.
Zeiser did not run for re-election in 1976 and Switzler ran to succeed him. He defeated Edwina Giles in the Republican primary and David J. Daly in the general election.
During his tenure as State Representative, Switzler was described as an "outspoken" and "vociferous" critic of the House leadership and as "an unsufferable [sic] windbag" who continuously used dilatory motions and tactics
to delay the legislative process.
Switzler co-wrote the property tax law known as Proposition 2½
, which was passed by ballot initiative in 1980. In 1985 he sponsored a successful bill that prevented the Department of Social Services
from placing foster children with homosexual couples.
by Republicans who opposed the nomination of Greg Hyatt
after an unsuccessful attempt to get former Congressman Paul W. Cronin
to enter the race. 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. On the second ballot, Switzler won the nomination with 975 votes to Hyatt's 876 and Carbone's 60.
After winning the nomination, Switzler resigned his House seat to focus on his campaign full-time.
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.
.
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
from 1973 to 1975 and again from 1977 to 1986. He was a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
in 1986
Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 1986
The 1986 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Michael Dukakis was elected Governor of Massachusetts for a third term. He beat Republican George Kariotis by a 69-31% margin.-Republicans:...
until he dropped out after inaccuracies about his military record were revealed.
Massachusetts House of Representatives
A real estate broker and a Wellesley, MassachusettsWellesley, Massachusetts
Wellesley is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of Greater Boston. The population was 27,982 at the time of the 2010 census.It is best known as the home of Wellesley College and Babson College...
Town Meeting Member, Switzler was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1972.
In 1974, redistricting forced Switzler to face fellow Republican representative Bruce Zeiser in the newly created 15th Norfolk District. Zeiser defeated Switzler 1,939 votes to 1,803.
Zeiser did not run for re-election in 1976 and Switzler ran to succeed him. He defeated Edwina Giles in the Republican primary and David J. Daly in the general election.
During his tenure as State Representative, Switzler was described as an "outspoken" and "vociferous" critic of the House leadership and as "an unsufferable [sic] windbag" who continuously used dilatory motions and tactics
Dilatory motions and tactics
Dilatory tactics or motions, in parliamentary procedure, are those used to delay or obstruct business, annoy the deliberative assembly, or, in legislative procedure, to delay consideration of a subject for other reasons. Some types of motions are suitable only for specific circumstances, and their...
to delay the legislative process.
Switzler co-wrote the property tax law known as Proposition 2½
Proposition 2½
Proposition 2½ is a Massachusetts statute which limits property tax increases by Massachusetts municipalities. It was passed by ballot initiative, specifically called an initiative petition within Massachusetts state law, in 1980 and went into effect in 1982...
, which was passed by ballot initiative in 1980. In 1985 he sponsored a successful bill that prevented the Department of Social Services
Child Protective Services
Child Protective Services is the name of a governmental agency in many states of the United States that responds to reports of child abuse or neglect. Some states use other names, often attempting to reflect more family-centered practices, such as "Department of Children & Family Services"...
from placing foster children with homosexual couples.
1986 gubernatorial election
At the 1986 Massachusetts Republican Convention, Switzler was been draftedDraft (politics)
In elections in the United States, political drafts are used to encourage or pressure a certain person to enter a political race, by demonstrating a significant groundswell of support for the candidate. A write-in campaign may also be considered a draft campaign.-The movement to draft Dwight D....
by Republicans who opposed the nomination of Greg Hyatt
Greg Hyatt
Gregory S. "Greg" Hyatt is an American political activist, attorney, and politician. He was a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 1986, but dropped out of the race due to allegations of forging names on his nomination papers, having ties to organized crime, and erratic personal...
after an unsuccessful attempt to get former Congressman Paul W. Cronin
Paul W. Cronin
Paul William Cronin was a one-term congressman of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts.Cronin was born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 14, 1938 and graduated from Boston University in 1962 and the John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1969...
to enter the race. After Switzler's strong showing on the first ballot (891 votes for Hyatt, 775 votes for Switzler, 258 votes for Guy Carbone
Guy Carbone
Guy A. Carbone is an American attorney and Perennial candidate in Massachusetts who was Metropolitan District Commissioner from 1979–1980.-Electoral history:-Other races:...
), some of Hyatt's major supporters, including Ray Shamie
Ray Shamie
Raymond Shamie was an American politician from the state of Massachusetts. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was twice a Massachusetts Republican nominee for the United States Senate, and served as the chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party from 1987 to 1991.In 1982, Shamie, a millionaire...
and Papa Gino's
Papa Gino's
Papa Gino's is a restaurant chain based in Dedham, Massachusetts specializing in American-style pizza along with pasta, subs, salads, and a variety of appetizers...
founder Michael Valerio, announced that they would not oppose Switzler's nomination. On the second ballot, Switzler won the nomination with 975 votes to Hyatt's 876 and Carbone's 60.
After winning the nomination, Switzler resigned his House seat to focus on his campaign full-time.
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.
Later life
In 2010, Switzler ran as a write-in candidate for his old House seat. He gained enough signatures to win the Republican nomination, but lost in the general election to incumbent Alice PeischAlice Peisch
Alice Hanlon Peisch is an American attorney and politician who has represented the 14th Norfolk District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 2003...
.