Former US Rep., HHS Secretary, and Ambassador to Ireland Margaret Heckler died in Virginia today at the age of 87. She was defeated by Barney Frank in 1982 when they were put in the same district by redistricting. She was the last woman in the MA Congressional delegation until Niki Tsongas was elected in 2007.
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Her slogan was something like “Put a Heckler in the House.” She beat another Republican, Joe Martin in a primary. Martin is completely forgotten today, but was a legend in the House who had been Speaker when Truman was President. Between Heckler and Martin, there was probably more Republican talent running against each other than there has been since.