John E. Powers

John E. Powers (November 10, 1910 – July 31, 1998) was an American politician who served as President of the Massachusetts Senate from 1959 to 1964. Powers, a former clam digger, messenger, and machine operator, served as a State Senator from Boston from 1940 to 1964 and Supreme Judicial Court of Suffolk County from 1964 to 1988. He was twice a candidate for Mayor of Boston. He finished second to incumbent John B. Hynes in the 1955 primary and general election. Following Hynes' retirement, Powers became the front-runner for the mayorship. Powers had the most votes in 1959 the primary, but lost to city councilman John F. Collins in the runoff election. He is remembered on the Boston Irish Heritage Trail.