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{{Short description|Massachusetts state representative}}
{{Short description|American politician and diplomat (born 1960)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Claire Cronin
|image = Claire D. Cronin, U.S. Ambassador.jpg
| image = Claire D. Cronin, U.S. Ambassador.jpg
|caption = Official portrait, 2022
| office = [[List of ambassadors of the United States to Ireland|United States Ambassador to Ireland]]
|office = 25th [[List of ambassadors of the United States to Ireland|United States Ambassador to Ireland]]
| president = [[Joe Biden]]
|president = [[Joe Biden]]
| term_start = February 10, 2022
|term_start = February 10, 2022
| term_end =
|term_end =
| predecessor = [[Edward F. Crawford (businessman)|Edward Crawford]]
|predecessor = [[Edward F. Crawford (businessman)|Edward Crawford]]
| successor =
|successor =
| office1 = Majority Leader of the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]]
|office1 = Majority Leader of the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]]
| term_start1 = February 11, 2021
|term_start1 = February 11, 2021
| term_end1 = January 18, 2022
|term_end1 = January 18, 2022
| predecessor1 = [[Ronald Mariano]]
|predecessor1 = [[Ron Mariano]]
| successor1 = ''Vacant''
|successor1 = [[Michael Moran (Massachusetts politician)|Michael Moran]]
| state_house2 = Massachusetts
|state_house2 = Massachusetts
| district2 = [[Massachusetts House of Representatives' 11th Plymouth district|11th Plymouth]]
|district2 = [[Massachusetts House of Representatives' 11th Plymouth district|11th Plymouth]]
| term_start2 = January 2013
|term_start2 = January 2013
| term_end2 = January 18, 2022
|term_end2 = January 18, 2022
| predecessor2 = [[Geraldine Creedon]]
|predecessor2 = [[Geraldine Creedon]]
| successor2 = TBD
|successor2 = [[Rita Mendes]]
| birth_name = Claire McLaughlin
|birth_name = Claire McLaughlin
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|1|29}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|1|29}}
| birth_place = [[Brockton, Massachusetts]], U.S.
|birth_place = [[Brockton, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| death_date =
|death_date =
| death_place =
|death_place =
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse = Ray Cronin
|spouse = Ray Cronin
| children = 2
|children = 2
| education = [[Stonehill College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Suffolk University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
|education = [[Stonehill College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Suffolk University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| website = {{url|malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/CDC1|Official website}}
|website = {{URL|malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/CDC1|Official website}}
}}
}}
'''Claire D. Cronin''' (born January 29, 1960) is an American attorney and politician who serves as the [[United States Ambassador to Ireland]]. She previously served as a member of the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]] from the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives' 11th Plymouth district|11th Plymouth]] district from 2013-2022.<ref name="Stout">{{cite news |last=Stout |first=Matt |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/23/metro/claire-cronin-no-2-democrat-mass-house-nominated-be-us-ambassador-ireland/ |title=Claire Cronin, No. 2 Democrat in the Mass. House, to be nominated as US ambassador to Ireland |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=2021-06-23 |accessdate=2021-06-23 }}</ref> Cronin was the first woman to serve as House Majority Leader.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Murphy|first=Matt|title=Brockton, Easton state Rep. Claire Cronin named Mass. House's first female majority leader|url=https://www.enterprisenews.com/story/news/politics/government/2021/02/12/state-rep-claire-cronin-easton-brockton-11-th-plymouth-district-massachusetts-house-majority-leader/6735696002/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Enterprise News|language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Claire D. Cronin''' (born January 29, 1960) is an American attorney, politician, and diplomat who currently serves as the [[United States Ambassador to Ireland]]. She previously served as a member of the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]] from the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives' 11th Plymouth district|11th Plymouth]] district from 2013 to 2022.<ref name="Stout">{{cite news |last=Stout |first=Matt |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/23/metro/claire-cronin-no-2-democrat-mass-house-nominated-be-us-ambassador-ireland/ |title=Claire Cronin, No. 2 Democrat in the Mass. House, to be nominated as US ambassador to Ireland |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=2021-06-23 |accessdate=2021-06-23 }}</ref> Cronin was the first woman to serve as House Majority Leader.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Murphy|first=Matt|title=Brockton, Easton state Rep. Claire Cronin named Mass. House's first female majority leader|url=https://www.enterprisenews.com/story/news/politics/government/2021/02/12/state-rep-claire-cronin-easton-brockton-11-th-plymouth-district-massachusetts-house-majority-leader/6735696002/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Enterprise News|language=en-US}}</ref>


In May 2021, President [[Joe Biden]] was reported to have selected Cronin as the United States Ambassador to Ireland.<ref name=amb>{{cite web|url=https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/269677204/claire-cronin-likely-to-become-next-us-ambassador-to-ireland|title=Claire Cronin likely to become next U.S. Ambassador to Ireland|publisher=Boston Globe|date=May 29, 2021}}</ref> On June 23, 2021, the nomination was officially announced.<ref name="nominated-officially">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/23/us/politics/cindy-mccain-biden-ambassador.html|first=Annie|last=Karni|date=June 23, 2021|website=[[The New York Times]]|title=Cindy McCain is Biden's choice for ambassador to the U.N.'s food program.}}</ref> On January 19, 2022, Cronin was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Ireland in the Massachusetts House of Representatives chamber.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Doran|first=Sam|date=2022-01-18|title=Claire Cronin to be sworn in as ambassador in House chamber|url=https://www.masslive.com/politics/2022/01/claire-cronin-to-be-sworn-in-as-ambassador-in-house-chamber.html|access-date=2022-01-19|website=masslive|language=en}}</ref><ref>https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2022/0119/1274718-usambassador-clairecronin-swornin/</ref> She presented her credentials to the President of Ireland, [[Michael D. Higgins]], on February 10, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ie.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/|title=Ambassador Claire D. Cronin|publisher=United States Department of State|access-date=2022-02-10}}</ref>
In May 2021, President [[Joe Biden]] was reported to have selected Cronin as the United States Ambassador to Ireland.<ref name=amb>{{cite web|url=https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/269677204/claire-cronin-likely-to-become-next-us-ambassador-to-ireland|title=Claire Cronin likely to become next U.S. Ambassador to Ireland|publisher=Boston Globe|date=May 29, 2021}}</ref> On June 23, 2021, the nomination was officially announced.<ref name="nominated-officially">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/23/us/politics/cindy-mccain-biden-ambassador.html|first=Annie|last=Karni|date=June 23, 2021|website=[[The New York Times]]|title=Cindy McCain is Biden's choice for ambassador to the U.N.'s food program.}}</ref> On January 19, 2022, Cronin was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Ireland in the Massachusetts House of Representatives chamber.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Doran|first=Sam|date=2022-01-18|title=Claire Cronin to be sworn in as ambassador in House chamber|url=https://www.masslive.com/politics/2022/01/claire-cronin-to-be-sworn-in-as-ambassador-in-house-chamber.html|access-date=2022-01-19|website=masslive|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2022/0119/1274718-usambassador-clairecronin-swornin/|title = Claire Cronin sworn in as US ambassador to Ireland|website = [[RTÉ.ie]]|date = January 19, 2022}}</ref> She presented her credentials to the President of Ireland, [[Michael D. Higgins]], on February 10, 2022.<ref name="Ambassador Claire D. Cronin">{{cite web|url=https://ie.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/|title=Ambassador Claire D. Cronin|publisher=United States Department of State|access-date=2022-02-10|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210225104/https://ie.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Born Claire McLaughlin in Brockton, Massachusetts to Phyllis Lucey and James Daniel McLaughlin. Her father was the son of an Irish immigrant from the Inishowen Peninsula in Northern Co. Donegal and all four of Phyllis Lucey’s grandparents were Irish.<ref>https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/irish-ancestry-claire-cronin {{Bare URL inline|date=January 2022}}</ref> Cronin graduated from [[Brockton High School]] in 1978<ref name="announce">{{cite web|last=Maguire|first=Patrick|title=Easton Resident Announces Candidacy for State Rep|url=http://easton-ma.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/easton-resident-announces-candidacy-for-state-rep|publisher=Easton Patch|access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref> and attended [[Stonehill College]] in Easton and graduated with a [[bachelor's degree]] in Political Science in 1982. She went on to earn a [[Juris Doctor]] from [[Suffolk University Law School]] in 1985.<ref name="ma leg">{{cite web|title=Member Profile: Claire D. Cronin|url=https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/CDC1|access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref>
Born Claire McLaughlin in Brockton, Massachusetts to Phyllis Lucey and James Daniel McLaughlin. Her father was the son of an Irish immigrant from the Inishowen Peninsula in Northern County Donegal and all four of Phyllis Lucey's grandparents were Irish.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/irish-ancestry-claire-cronin|title = The Irish ancestry of Claire Cronin US ambassador of Ireland|date = December 30, 2021}}</ref> Cronin graduated from [[Brockton High School]] in 1978<ref name="announce">{{cite web|last=Maguire|first=Patrick|title=Easton Resident Announces Candidacy for State Rep|date=February 14, 2012|url=http://easton-ma.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/easton-resident-announces-candidacy-for-state-rep|publisher=Easton Patch|access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref> and attended [[Stonehill College]] in Easton and graduated with a [[bachelor's degree]] in Political Science in 1982. She went on to earn a [[Juris Doctor]] from [[Suffolk University Law School]] in 1985.<ref name="ma leg">{{cite web|title=Member Profile: Claire D. Cronin|url=https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/CDC1|access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
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===Massachusetts House of Representatives===
===Massachusetts House of Representatives===
In 2012, long-time State Representative [[Geraldine Creedon]] announced her plans to retire from public office. On February 14, 2012, Cronin announced her candidacy for the newly redistricted seat.<ref name="announce" /> She won a four-way Democratic primary with 33% of the vote, defeating Brockton Councilors-at-Large Robert Sullivan and Jass Stewart, and Southeast Regional School Committee member Mark Linde.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vogler|first=Paula|title=Cronin Wins Primary for 11 Plymouth Seat|url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/easton/news/x69967579/Cronin-wins-primary-for-11-Plymouth-seat|publisher=Wicked Local Easton|access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref> In the general election, Cronin defeated [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Dan Murphy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Maguire|first=Patrick|title=Claire Cronin Wins State Rep Seat in 11th Plymouth District|url=http://easton-ma.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/claire-cronin-wins-state-rep-seat-in-11th-plymouth-district|publisher=Easton Patch|access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref>
In 2012, long-time State Representative [[Geraldine Creedon]] announced her plans to retire from public office. On February 14, 2012, Cronin announced her candidacy for the newly redistricted seat.<ref name="announce" /> She won a four-way Democratic primary with 33% of the vote, defeating Brockton Councilors-at-Large Robert Sullivan and Jass Stewart, and Southeast Regional School Committee member Mark Linde.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vogler|first=Paula|title=Cronin Wins Primary for 11 Plymouth Seat|url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/easton/news/x69967579/Cronin-wins-primary-for-11-Plymouth-seat|publisher=Wicked Local Easton|access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref> In the general election, Cronin defeated [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Dan Murphy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Maguire|first=Patrick|title=Claire Cronin Wins State Rep Seat in 11th Plymouth District|date=November 7, 2012|url=http://easton-ma.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/claire-cronin-wins-state-rep-seat-in-11th-plymouth-district|publisher=Easton Patch|access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref>


In the legislature, Cronin serves as the Majority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Prior to assuming this role, Cronin served as the chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. She is the first woman in the history of the Massachusetts House of Representatives to serve as chair of the House Judiciary Committee. In her role as chair, Cronin was the architect of the comprehensive House criminal justice reform bill and was the lead negotiator for the House of Representatives during the conference committee. This sweeping piece of legislation marked the most extensive reform of the state's criminal justice system in decades.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Colin A. Young / State House News|title=Criminal justice reform bill sent to governor|url=https://easton.wickedlocal.com/news/20180409/criminal-justice-reform-bill-sent-to-governor|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Easton Journal|language=en}}</ref>
In the legislature, Cronin serves as the Majority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Prior to assuming this role, Cronin served as the chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. She is the first woman in the history of the Massachusetts House of Representatives to serve as chair of the House Judiciary Committee. In her role as chair, Cronin was the architect of the comprehensive House criminal justice reform bill and was the lead negotiator for the House of Representatives during the conference committee. This sweeping piece of legislation marked the most extensive reform of the state's criminal justice system in decades.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Colin A. Young / State House News|title=Criminal justice reform bill sent to governor|url=https://easton.wickedlocal.com/news/20180409/criminal-justice-reform-bill-sent-to-governor|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Easton Journal|language=en}}</ref>


Cronin previously served as the vice chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, and as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, and the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight.<ref name="ma leg" />
Cronin previously served as the vice-chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, and as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, and the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight.<ref name="ma leg" />


Cronin announced [[2020 Massachusetts Democratic presidential primary|Massachusetts' votes]] in the roll call at the [[2020 Democratic National Convention]].<ref name="2020 DNC Roll Call">{{cite news|author=Staff|title=Watch Full Roll Call at the 2020 Democratic National Convention|date=August 19, 2020|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2020/8/19/21375940/watch-full-roll-call-2020-democratic-national-convention-illinois}}</ref> During the [[2020 United States presidential election]] Cronin was a [[Campaign finance in the United States#Bundling|fund-raising bundler]] for the [[Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign]] in the state of Massachusetts.<ref name="Stout" />
Cronin announced [[2020 Massachusetts Democratic presidential primary|Massachusetts' votes]] in the roll call at the [[2020 Democratic National Convention]].<ref name="2020 DNC Roll Call">{{cite news|author=Staff|title=Watch Full Roll Call at the 2020 Democratic National Convention|date=August 19, 2020|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2020/8/19/21375940/watch-full-roll-call-2020-democratic-national-convention-illinois}}</ref> During the [[2020 United States presidential election]] Cronin was a [[Campaign finance in the United States#Bundling|fund-raising bundler]] for the [[Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign]] in the state of Massachusetts.<ref name="Stout" />
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=== U.S. Ambassador to Ireland ===
=== U.S. Ambassador to Ireland ===
In May 2021, Cronin was reported as President [[Joe Biden]]'s nominee for [[United States Ambassador to Ireland]].<ref name="amb" /> On June 23, 2021, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Cronin to that position.<ref name="nominated-officially" /><ref>{{Cite press release |title=President Biden Announces 17 Key Nominations |date=June 23, 2021 |publisher=The White House |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/06/23/president-biden-announces-17-key-nominations/}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> On July 13, 2021, her nomination was sent to the [[United States Senate]].<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Nominations Sent to the Senate |date=July 13, 2021 |publisher=The White House |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/13/nominations-sent-to-the-senate-24/}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> On September 29, 2021, a hearing on her nomination was held before the [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Senate Foreign Relations Committee]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-19 |title=PN774 - Nomination of Claire D. Cronin for Department of State, 117th Congress (2021-2022) |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/774 |access-date=2021-11-10 |website=www.congress.gov}}</ref> On October 19, 2021, her nomination was reported favorably out of committee.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=SFRC APPROVES 33 CRITICAL FOREIGN POLICY NOMINATIONS |date=October 19, 2021 |publisher=[[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations]] |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/chair/release/sfrc-approves-33-critical-foreign-policy-nominations- |access-date=November 9, 2021}}</ref> On December 18, 2021, her nomination was confirmed by the full United States Senate in a voice vote.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wall|first=Martin|title=US senate approves nomination of Claire Cronin to be next ambassador to Ireland|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/us-senate-approves-nomination-of-claire-cronin-to-be-next-ambassador-to-ireland-1.4759191|access-date=2021-12-18|website=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Cronin confirmed as US ambassador to Ireland|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/12/18/cronin-confirmed-as-us-ambassador-to-ireland|access-date=2021-12-18|website=www.wbur.org|language=en}}</ref>
In May 2021, Cronin was reported as President [[Joe Biden]]'s nominee for [[United States Ambassador to Ireland]].<ref name="amb" /> On June 23, 2021, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Cronin to that position.<ref name="nominated-officially" /><ref>{{Cite press release |title=President Biden Announces 17 Key Nominations |date=June 23, 2021 |publisher=The White House |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/06/23/president-biden-announces-17-key-nominations/}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> On July 13, 2021, her nomination was sent to the [[United States Senate]].<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Nominations Sent to the Senate |date=July 13, 2021 |publisher=The White House |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/13/nominations-sent-to-the-senate-24/}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> On September 29, 2021, a hearing on her nomination was held before the [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Senate Foreign Relations Committee]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-19 |title=PN774 - Nomination of Claire D. Cronin for Department of State, 117th Congress (2021-2022) |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/774 |access-date=2021-11-10 |website=www.congress.gov}}</ref> On October 19, 2021, her nomination was reported favorably out of committee.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=SFRC APPROVES 33 CRITICAL FOREIGN POLICY NOMINATIONS |date=October 19, 2021 |publisher=[[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations]] |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/chair/release/sfrc-approves-33-critical-foreign-policy-nominations- |access-date=November 9, 2021}}</ref> On December 18, 2021, her nomination was confirmed by the full United States Senate in a voice vote.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wall|first=Martin|title=US senate approves nomination of Claire Cronin to be next ambassador to Ireland|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/us-senate-approves-nomination-of-claire-cronin-to-be-next-ambassador-to-ireland-1.4759191|access-date=2021-12-18|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Cronin confirmed as US ambassador to Ireland|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/12/18/cronin-confirmed-as-us-ambassador-to-ireland|access-date=2021-12-18|website=www.wbur.org|language=en}}</ref>


On January 19, 2022, she was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Ireland during a formal session of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2022-01-19|title=Claire Cronin sworn in as US ambassador to Ireland|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2022/0119/1274718-usambassador-clairecronin-swornin/|language=en}}</ref> She presented her credentials to the President of Ireland, [[Michael D. Higgins]], on February 10, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ie.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/|title=Ambassador Claire D. Cronin|publisher=United States Department of State|access-date=2022-02-10}}</ref>
On January 19, 2022, she was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Ireland during a formal session of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2022-01-19|title=Claire Cronin sworn in as US ambassador to Ireland|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2022/0119/1274718-usambassador-clairecronin-swornin/|language=en}}</ref> She presented her credentials to the President of Ireland, [[Michael D. Higgins]], on February 10, 2022.<ref name="Ambassador Claire D. Cronin"/> In her remarks at the ceremony, Cronin noted: “President Biden entrusted me as the US Ambassador to Ireland at a very important moment. As his eyes and ears here in Ireland, I plan to engage with politicians and other stakeholders. President Biden is unequivocal in his support for the Good Friday Agreement, a historic achievement that must be protected to ensure peace and stability in Northern Ireland.” <ref>[https://www.irishcentral.com/news/claire-cronin-us-ambassador-ireland-dublin Irish Central, February 11, 2022]</ref>


====Tenure====
Cronin also is raising awareness of the J-1 visa program for Irish students traveling to the US.
“Our ancestral relations are the foundation of our ties but our trade and investment is the glue that holds us together, but so too we need to introduce young Irish citizens, young people to America,” she says.<ref>Irish Central, "New US Ambassador lost her faith for years after church abuse horror, July 3, 2022 [https://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/us-ambassador-lost-faith-church-abuse-horror]</ref>

Cronin had been scheduled to attend the in-person meeting between [[President of the United States]] [[Joe Biden]] and [[Taoiseach]] [[Micheál Martin]] at the [[White House]] on 17 March 2022, a meeting which ultimately did not occur due to Martin's own COVID diagnosis on the day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0317/1286929-taoiseach-covid-washington/|title=Taoiseach tests positive for Covid-19 in Washington|publisher=[[RTÉ News and Current Affairs]]|first=Sean|last=Whelan|date=17 March 2022|accessdate=17 March 2022}}</ref> Cronin had also intended to participate in Irish-American festivities alongside Ambassador of Ireland to the United States [[Daniel Mulhall]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2022/03/16/positive-covid-test-forces-us-ambassador-to-miss-st-patricks-day-in-washington/|title=Positive Covid test forces US Ambassador to miss St Patrick's Day in Washington|publisher=[[Donegal Daily]]|date=16 March 2022|accessdate=16 March 2022}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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{{s-bef|before=[[Ronald Mariano]]}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Majority Leader of the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]]|years=2021–2022}}
{{s-ttl|title=Majority Leader of the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]]|years=2021–2022}}
{{s-aft|after=TBD}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Michael Moran (Massachusetts politician)|Michael Moran]]}}
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[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Ireland]]
[[Category:American women ambassadors]]
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[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Massachusetts Democrats]]
[[Category:People from Easton, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:People from Easton, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Politicians from Brockton, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Politicians from Brockton, Massachusetts]]
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[[Category:Suffolk University Law School alumni]]
[[Category:Suffolk University Law School alumni]]
[[Category:Women state legislators in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Women state legislators in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Ireland]]
[[Category:Brockton High School alumni]]
[[Category:American women ambassadors]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Massachusetts General Court]]

Latest revision as of 23:20, 30 November 2024

Claire D. Cronin
Official portrait, 2022
25th United States Ambassador to Ireland
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 10, 2022
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byEdward Crawford
Majority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office
February 11, 2021 – January 18, 2022
Preceded byRon Mariano
Succeeded byMichael Moran
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
from the 11th Plymouth district
In office
January 2013 – January 18, 2022
Preceded byGeraldine Creedon
Succeeded byRita Mendes
Personal details
Born
Claire McLaughlin

(1960-01-29) January 29, 1960 (age 64)
Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRay Cronin
Children2
EducationStonehill College (BA)
Suffolk University (JD)
WebsiteOfficial website

Claire D. Cronin (born January 29, 1960) is an American attorney, politician, and diplomat who currently serves as the United States Ambassador to Ireland. She previously served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 11th Plymouth district from 2013 to 2022.[1] Cronin was the first woman to serve as House Majority Leader.[2]

In May 2021, President Joe Biden was reported to have selected Cronin as the United States Ambassador to Ireland.[3] On June 23, 2021, the nomination was officially announced.[4] On January 19, 2022, Cronin was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Ireland in the Massachusetts House of Representatives chamber.[5][6] She presented her credentials to the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, on February 10, 2022.[7]

Early life and education

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Born Claire McLaughlin in Brockton, Massachusetts to Phyllis Lucey and James Daniel McLaughlin. Her father was the son of an Irish immigrant from the Inishowen Peninsula in Northern County Donegal and all four of Phyllis Lucey's grandparents were Irish.[8] Cronin graduated from Brockton High School in 1978[9] and attended Stonehill College in Easton and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1982. She went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School in 1985.[10]

Career

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Early career

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Cronin was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar Association in 1985 and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court and before the United States Supreme Court.

Cronin has maintained a law practice in Brockton. She was formerly a member of the Brockton Democratic City Committee, and previously served on the Easton Democratic Town Committee and Democratic State Committee.[10]

Cronin served as mediator in the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston sex abuse scandal settlement.[1]

Massachusetts House of Representatives

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In 2012, long-time State Representative Geraldine Creedon announced her plans to retire from public office. On February 14, 2012, Cronin announced her candidacy for the newly redistricted seat.[9] She won a four-way Democratic primary with 33% of the vote, defeating Brockton Councilors-at-Large Robert Sullivan and Jass Stewart, and Southeast Regional School Committee member Mark Linde.[11] In the general election, Cronin defeated Republican Dan Murphy.[12]

In the legislature, Cronin serves as the Majority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Prior to assuming this role, Cronin served as the chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. She is the first woman in the history of the Massachusetts House of Representatives to serve as chair of the House Judiciary Committee. In her role as chair, Cronin was the architect of the comprehensive House criminal justice reform bill and was the lead negotiator for the House of Representatives during the conference committee. This sweeping piece of legislation marked the most extensive reform of the state's criminal justice system in decades.[13]

Cronin previously served as the vice-chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, and as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, and the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight.[10]

Cronin announced Massachusetts' votes in the roll call at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.[14] During the 2020 United States presidential election Cronin was a fund-raising bundler for the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign in the state of Massachusetts.[1]

On January 18, 2022, Cronin resigned from the House, and thus vacated her position as Majority Leader.[15]

U.S. Ambassador to Ireland

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In May 2021, Cronin was reported as President Joe Biden's nominee for United States Ambassador to Ireland.[3] On June 23, 2021, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Cronin to that position.[4][16] On July 13, 2021, her nomination was sent to the United States Senate.[17] On September 29, 2021, a hearing on her nomination was held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.[18] On October 19, 2021, her nomination was reported favorably out of committee.[19] On December 18, 2021, her nomination was confirmed by the full United States Senate in a voice vote.[20][21]

On January 19, 2022, she was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Ireland during a formal session of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[22] She presented her credentials to the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, on February 10, 2022.[7] In her remarks at the ceremony, Cronin noted: “President Biden entrusted me as the US Ambassador to Ireland at a very important moment. As his eyes and ears here in Ireland, I plan to engage with politicians and other stakeholders. President Biden is unequivocal in his support for the Good Friday Agreement, a historic achievement that must be protected to ensure peace and stability in Northern Ireland.” [23]

Tenure

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Cronin also is raising awareness of the J-1 visa program for Irish students traveling to the US. “Our ancestral relations are the foundation of our ties but our trade and investment is the glue that holds us together, but so too we need to introduce young Irish citizens, young people to America,” she says.[24]

Cronin had been scheduled to attend the in-person meeting between President of the United States Joe Biden and Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the White House on 17 March 2022, a meeting which ultimately did not occur due to Martin's own COVID diagnosis on the day.[25] Cronin had also intended to participate in Irish-American festivities alongside Ambassador of Ireland to the United States Daniel Mulhall.[26]

Personal life

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Cronin is married to Ray Cronin, the CEO and co-founder of Club Benchmarking, a performance analytics company that assists private recreational clubs.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Stout, Matt (June 23, 2021). "Claire Cronin, No. 2 Democrat in the Mass. House, to be nominated as US ambassador to Ireland". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  2. ^ Murphy, Matt. "Brockton, Easton state Rep. Claire Cronin named Mass. House's first female majority leader". Enterprise News. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Claire Cronin likely to become next U.S. Ambassador to Ireland". Boston Globe. May 29, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Karni, Annie (June 23, 2021). "Cindy McCain is Biden's choice for ambassador to the U.N.'s food program". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Doran, Sam (January 18, 2022). "Claire Cronin to be sworn in as ambassador in House chamber". masslive. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  6. ^ "Claire Cronin sworn in as US ambassador to Ireland". RTÉ.ie. January 19, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Ambassador Claire D. Cronin". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  8. ^ "The Irish ancestry of Claire Cronin US ambassador of Ireland". December 30, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Maguire, Patrick (February 14, 2012). "Easton Resident Announces Candidacy for State Rep". Easton Patch. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  10. ^ a b c "Member Profile: Claire D. Cronin". Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  11. ^ Vogler, Paula. "Cronin Wins Primary for 11 Plymouth Seat". Wicked Local Easton. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  12. ^ Maguire, Patrick (November 7, 2012). "Claire Cronin Wins State Rep Seat in 11th Plymouth District". Easton Patch. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  13. ^ Service, Colin A. Young / State House News. "Criminal justice reform bill sent to governor". Easton Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  14. ^ Staff (August 19, 2020). "Watch Full Roll Call at the 2020 Democratic National Convention". Chicago Sun-Times.
  15. ^ "Claire Cronin Resigns". NewBostonPost. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "President Biden Announces 17 Key Nominations" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. June 23, 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  17. ^ "Nominations Sent to the Senate" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. July 13, 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  18. ^ "PN774 - Nomination of Claire D. Cronin for Department of State, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. October 19, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  19. ^ "SFRC APPROVES 33 CRITICAL FOREIGN POLICY NOMINATIONS" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. October 19, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  20. ^ Wall, Martin. "US senate approves nomination of Claire Cronin to be next ambassador to Ireland". The Irish Times. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  21. ^ "Cronin confirmed as US ambassador to Ireland". www.wbur.org. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  22. ^ "Claire Cronin sworn in as US ambassador to Ireland". January 19, 2022. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  23. ^ Irish Central, February 11, 2022
  24. ^ Irish Central, "New US Ambassador lost her faith for years after church abuse horror, July 3, 2022 [1]
  25. ^ Whelan, Sean (March 17, 2022). "Taoiseach tests positive for Covid-19 in Washington". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  26. ^ "Positive Covid test forces US Ambassador to miss St Patrick's Day in Washington". Donegal Daily. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  27. ^ "Ray Cronin CEO/Co-Founder, Club Benchmarking" (PDF). texascmaa.org. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
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Massachusetts House of Representatives
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
2021–2022 		Succeeded by
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Ireland
2022–present 		Incumbent
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