Political Career
Flynn began his political career as a Democratic member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1971 to 1979, representing the South Boston neighborhood during the turbulent busing crisis of the early 1970s. He later served on the Boston City Council from 1978 to 1984, before successfully running for Mayor of Boston in 1983. He was reelected in 1987 and again in 1991.
Flynn, a lifelong pro-life activist, was instrumental in drawing the pro-life, Catholic vote to pro-choice Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas in his 1992 bid for the White House against incumbent George H. W. Bush. In 1993, Flynn resigned during his third term as mayor when he was appointed by Clinton to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.
Following his service as ambassador, Flynn ran unsuccessfully for Massachusetts's 8th congressional district seat that was being vacated by Joseph Patrick Kennedy II in 1998.
In 2012 Flynn crossed party lines to star in television ads advocating the re-election of Republican United States Senator Scott Brown. He has even voiced support for Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee for president.
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