Eric Massa - Early Life and Career

Early Life and Career

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, the son of a career naval officer, Massa grew up in various locations, including Argentina and New Orleans. Massa graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1981 and went on to serve in the Navy for 24 years. He qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer on the USS New Jersey (BB-62), and eventually served as aide to former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, General Wesley Clark. Near the end of his Navy career he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, from which he later recovered. A former Republican, he left his party over the issue of the Iraq War, among other issues, and campaigned in New Hampshire during the unsuccessful 2004 presidential bid of his former boss, Wesley Clark. Thereafter, he was identified by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as an ideal candidate in 2006 because of his military background, which it was hoped would appeal to veterans and to independents who favor a strong defense policy.

During the 2006 campaign, Massa positioned himself as strongly opposed to the Iraq war and unrestricted free trade, favoring instead fair trade. Other issues in his platform included expanding farm aid programs, as well as bringing homeland security money to the 29th District. Massa is also active in Band of Brothers/Veterans for a Secure America whose goal is to help veterans who are running for Congress as Democrats. He also supported a system for universal health care.

Massa lives in Corning, New York with his wife Beverly, daughter Alexandra and son Justin. His eldest son Richard lives in California.

Massa was listed in the 2007 Esquire 100.