Wingtip Shoes and Door-to-Door Campaign Propel John Rogers to Victory
Celebrating an impressive grassroots victory at the polls yesterday, John Rogers secured election as state representative for the 12th Norfolk District, defeating Republican opponent and longtime School Committee member Joseph “Mitch” Pentowski by a decisive vote of 9,573 to 4,724.
As a relative unknown when launching his campaign in March, Rogers relied on sheer physical endurance and a relentless door-to-door strategy. Sporting a bronze pin depicting a perforated shoe sole, Rogers proudly bragged about wearing out three pairs of wingtip shoes during his campaign, during which he personally knocked on 12,000 doors and mailed out 150,000 pamphlets. During his acceptance speech, one of his worn-out pairs—complete with one-inch gaping holes—hung directly from the podium.
“The only thing I changed between my primary and general campaign were my shoes,” Rogers quipped, noting plans to hang the famous shoes in his future Beacon Hill office.
Norwood Election Results & Vote Breakdown
State Representative & Major Races
- 12th Norfolk Representative: John Rogers (9,573) def. Joseph “Mitch” Pentowski (4,724).
- Presidential Vote (89% Turnout): **Bill Clinton** won Norwood with 6,796 votes, followed by George Bush (4,880) and Ross Perot (3,222).
- 9th Congressional District: 20-year incumbent **Joe Moakley** (9,997) defeated Martin Conboy (2,857).
Selected Ballot Questions & Local Votes
- Question 1 (Health Fund): Yes 7,642 | No 6,416
- Question 2 (Tax Reporting): Yes 7,777 | No 6,040
- Question 3 (Recyclable Packaging): Yes 5,663 | No 8,986 (Defeated)
- Question 4 (Hazardous Materials): Yes 5,533 | No 8,789 (Defeated)
- Question 5 (County Charter): Yes 5,859 | No 6,667 (Defeated)
Overcoming Political Rivals and Mentorship Legacy
Rogers’ path to victory included upsetting formidable local figures. In the Democratic primary, he out-stepped Helen Abdallah Donohue (a longtime civic activist whose father and sister both served as selectmen) and former selectman John Lydon.
While opponents attempted to frame Rogers as a professional political machine product due to his work since 1986 for retired 12th Norfolk Representative Gregory Sullivan, Sullivan credited Rogers’ personal work ethic.
In a Cablevision interview, Sullivan advised his former legislative aide: “My advice to him as he takes office would be not to change, and not to lose that idealism.” Pentowski graciously conceded defeat, praising Rogers for his tireless campaign effort as reported by Robert Lee for The Patriot Ledger.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Civic Recreation Center Plans Survive Referendum Challenge, Water and Sewer Rate Hikes Debated, and Murray Field Lights Set for Removal-September 16, 1981
Plans for a $2.2 million civic recreation center at the former Aaron Guild School survive a referendum test, while selectmen debate utility rate hikes and Murray Field lights.
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Proposition 2 1/2 Debate at Town Hall Sparks Heated Clash Over Tax Reform-October 2, 1980
Francis “Chip” Faulkner and State Rep. Gerald Cohen clash in a heated debate at Norwood Town Hall over the tax-cutting ballot initiative Proposition 2 1/2.
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Norwood Voters to Test Computerized Punch-Card Ballots in State Primary Election-September 12, 1980
Norwood voters will use a new computerized punch-card ballot system provided by Factory Mutual Engineering Company for the upcoming state primary election.
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Town Officials Warn of Disastrous Cuts from Proposed Proposition 2 1/2-August 20, 1980
Facing a potential $3 million budget shortfall, Norwood town officials are mobilizing an educational campaign to warn residents about the severe municipal cuts threatened by Proposition 2 1/2.
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State DPW Commissioner John J. Carroll Appointed Norwood Town Manager-November 1, 1978
Leaving the outgoing Dukakis administration, State DPW Commissioner John J. Carroll was appointed Norwood’s new town manager by a 4-1 vote of the Board of Selectmen.
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Retiring Congressman James Burke Bids Farewell to Federal Retirees at Norwood VFW Hall-October 31, 1978
Retiring 11th District U.S. Rep. James Burke reflected on his 20-year career, Medicare battles, and advocacy for seniors during an emotional farewell address to federal retirees in Norwood.
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Republican Town Committee Delays Nominations for Board of Registrars-October 24, 1978
The Republican Town Committee delayed nominations for the Board of Registrars by one week to review candidate qualifications and procedures following A. Franklin Swift’s departure due to office-holding conflicts.
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Property Taxes Dominate Norwood’s 1978 Special Election Amid School Committee Recall and Selectman Race-October 23, 1978
Soaring property taxes take center stage in Norwood’s special municipal election, featuring a high-stakes school committee recall, a four-way selectmen race, and a finance commission contest.
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Former Registrar A. Franklin Swift Seeks Reappointment Following Conflict-of-Interest Challenge-October 12, 1978
Former registrar A. Franklin Swift asks selectmen for reappointment after clearing multiple town committee roles following a state law challenge raised by Town Meeting member Kenneth C. Ball.
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League of Women Voters Urges High Turnout for School Committee Recall Election-August 30, 1978
The League of Women Voters calls on Norwood residents to vote in Tuesday’s historic school committee recall election, the first in 30 years.
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