Bill Keating

Bill Keating
Born	William Richard Keating 6 9, 1952
Birthplace	Norwood, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	U.S. Representative for Massachusetts, District Attorney of Norfolk County
Education	Boston College (B.A.) Suffolk University Law School (J.D.) Suffolk University (M.B.A.)
Spouse(s)	Tevis Keating
Children	2
Website	[keating.house.gov Official site]

William Richard Keating (born September 6, 1952) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 9th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Keating first entered Congress in January 2011, representing Massachusetts's 10th congressional district before redistricting shifted his constituency. His district encompasses Cape Cod, the Islands, and most of the South Coast region of southeastern Massachusetts. Before his election to Congress, Keating built a lengthy career in Massachusetts state government, serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1977 to 1985, the Massachusetts Senate from 1985 to 1999, and as Norfolk County District Attorney from 1999 to 2011. Throughout his career, he has focused on criminal justice issues, environmental concerns, the fishing industry, and nuclear safety — matters of direct importance to his constituents. In the 119th Congress, Keating serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he holds the position of Ranking Member of the Europe Subcommittee.

Early Life

William Richard Keating was born on September 6, 1952, in Norwood, Massachusetts. He was raised in Sharon, Massachusetts, a town in Norfolk County located roughly twenty miles south of Boston. Growing up in the suburban communities of the greater Boston area, Keating followed what observers have described as a traditional route into Massachusetts politics, developing an interest in public service at a young age. He entered electoral politics at 24 years old, winning a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1976 — an early start that would lead to a career spanning more than four decades in public office.

Education

Keating attended Boston College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently pursued legal studies at Suffolk University Law School, obtaining his Juris Doctor degree. Keating also earned a Master of Business Administration from Suffolk University. This combination of legal training and business education provided a foundation for his later work in criminal justice and legislative policy.

Career

Massachusetts House of Representatives (1977–1985)

Keating was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1976 at the age of 24, succeeding Laurence Buxbaum. He took office on January 3, 1977, and served four terms in the House. During his tenure, Keating began developing a legislative focus on criminal justice issues, a subject that would define much of his subsequent career. His time in the House provided him with an introduction to the mechanics of state government and established his reputation as a legislator willing to engage with complex policy areas including taxation, drug crime, and sentencing reform.

Keating was succeeded in his House seat by Marjorie Clapprood when he moved to the upper chamber of the Massachusetts General Court in 1985.

Massachusetts Senate (1985–1999)

In 1984, Keating won election to the Massachusetts Senate, succeeding Joseph Timilty. He took his Senate seat on January 3, 1985, and served in the chamber for fourteen years. During this period, Keating raised his profile as a legislator focused on criminal justice policy. He authored numerous bills that were signed into law addressing issues of taxation, drug crime, and sentencing reform.

A notable moment in Keating's Senate career came in 1994, when he attempted to overthrow William M. Bulger as President of the Massachusetts Senate. The effort ultimately failed, as Bulger retained his position. However, the challenge attracted significant media attention and increased Keating's name recognition across Massachusetts. Political observers noted that the visibility generated by the Bulger challenge contributed to Keating's ability to mount a successful campaign for Norfolk County District Attorney in 1998.

Throughout his time in the Senate, Keating established relationships across the Democratic caucus and built a legislative record that emphasized law enforcement and public safety issues. He departed the Senate on January 3, 1999, and was succeeded by Jo Ann Sprague.

District Attorney of Norfolk County (1999–2011)

Keating was elected District Attorney of Norfolk County in 1998, succeeding Jeffrey Locke. He took office on January 3, 1999, and served three consecutive terms in the position. As the chief law enforcement officer for Norfolk County, Keating oversaw the prosecution of criminal cases across a jurisdiction that included numerous towns in the suburban area south of Boston.

Keating's path to the district attorney's office mirrored that of his predecessor-but-one in the role, Bill Delahunt, who had also served as Norfolk County DA before winning election to the United States House of Representatives. Keating would eventually follow the same trajectory, leaving the DA's office to represent southeastern Massachusetts in Congress.

Upon Keating's departure from the office in January 2011, Michael Morrissey succeeded him as Norfolk County District Attorney.

U.S. House of Representatives (2011–present)

2010 Election and Early Tenure

Keating won election to the United States House of Representatives in 2010, succeeding Bill Delahunt as the representative for Massachusetts's 10th congressional district. He took office on January 3, 2011.

Redistricting and the 9th District

Following the 2010 census, Massachusetts lost one of its ten congressional districts due to population changes. The state's redistricting process, completed in 2012, significantly altered the boundaries of several districts. The redistricting drew Keating's home in Quincy into the district of fellow Democratic incumbent Stephen Lynch. Rather than challenge Lynch, Keating chose to run in the redrawn 9th congressional district, which combined the eastern portion of his old 10th district — including Cape Cod — with new territory on the South Coast that had previously been part of the 4th congressional district long represented by Barney Frank.

Keating won the 2012 election and has represented the 9th district since January 3, 2013. He has been reelected multiple times from this district, which encompasses Cape Cod, the Islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, and most of the South Coast region including the cities of New Bedford and Fall River.

Committee Assignments

In the 119th United States Congress, Keating serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. On the Foreign Affairs Committee, he holds the position of Ranking Member of the Europe Subcommittee, a role that has placed him at the center of debates over transatlantic relations and NATO policy.

Legislative Focus: Fishing Industry

Representing a district that includes major fishing ports such as New Bedford — one of the highest-value fishing ports in the United States — Keating has devoted significant attention to issues affecting the commercial fishing industry. He has worked to advocate for fishermen in his district on matters of federal regulation and fisheries management. In one notable effort, Keating formed a new fishery research panel to bring together stakeholders and scientific expertise to inform federal policy on fisheries.

Legislative Focus: Nuclear Safety

Another area of sustained attention for Keating has been nuclear safety, particularly concerning the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The plant, located near his district, generated concern among residents regarding its operational safety and the adequacy of federal oversight. Keating pressed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for information about the plant's safety record and expressed frustration with what he characterized as an insufficient response from the agency to congressional inquiries.

Keating's efforts on nuclear safety reflected broader community concerns, with residents in towns near the Pilgrim plant expressing a mixture of anger and resignation about the plant's continued operation and the potential environmental and public health risks it posed.

Legislative Focus: Social Security

Keating has taken positions on domestic economic issues affecting his constituents, including Social Security. He issued public statements regarding the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), advocating for adequate benefits for retirees and seniors in his district.

Foreign Affairs and NATO Policy

As the Ranking Member of the Europe Subcommittee on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Keating has been active on matters of transatlantic relations and NATO policy. In November 2025, Keating joined Ranking Member Gregory Meeks in sending a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury criticizing the removal of sanctions on a pro-Russian Balkan leader, characterizing the decision as detrimental to U.S. foreign policy interests in the region.

In early 2026, Keating co-sponsored bipartisan legislation prohibiting a U.S. invasion of a NATO member state. The bill was introduced alongside Representatives Steny Hoyer, Don Bacon, and others, reflecting Keating's commitment to the NATO alliance and collective security principles. Keating also co-sponsored the "NO NATO for Purchase Act," introduced by Hoyer, Gabe Amo, and Brendan Boyle, among others, which addressed the integrity of the NATO alliance.

Environmental and Infrastructure Work

Keating has worked on environmental restoration and infrastructure projects within his district. In October 2025, he joined New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell to announce $3.2 million in federal funding for Southeast New England environmental restoration, an effort involving federal, state, and local partners aimed at addressing environmental concerns in the region.

Infrastructure has also been a focus, particularly the Cape Cod bridges, which are critical transportation links for the Cape Cod region. In October 2025, Keating joined Governor Maura Healey, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Senator Ed Markey in issuing a joint statement on the Cape Cod bridges, underscoring the importance of federal investment in the aging infrastructure that connects the Cape to the mainland.

Voting Record

Keating's voting record has been tracked by multiple organizations. The AFL-CIO has assessed his legislative voting record on labor issues. Vote Smart has compiled his positions on a range of issues, including abortion and gun-related legislation. Interest group evaluations of Keating's record have also been compiled over the course of his congressional tenure.

2026 Election Cycle

In January 2026, New Bedford community organizer Craig Swallow announced a primary challenge to Keating for the 2026 election cycle. The announcement marked a new contested race for the long-serving congressman.

Personal Life

Keating is married to Tevis Keating. The couple has two children. Keating has maintained his residence in southeastern Massachusetts throughout his career in public office, living in the communities he represents.

Legacy

Bill Keating's career in public service spans more than four decades, beginning with his election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1976 at the age of 24. His trajectory through both chambers of the Massachusetts General Court, through the Norfolk County District Attorney's office, and into the United States Congress reflects a sustained engagement with the political institutions of Massachusetts. His legislative record in the state legislature, which included authoring bills on taxation, drug crime, and sentencing reform, established the criminal justice focus that characterized his tenure as district attorney.

In Congress, Keating's work has been shaped by the specific needs of his district. His advocacy on behalf of the fishing industry, his attention to nuclear safety at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, his efforts to secure infrastructure funding for the Cape Cod bridges, and his work on environmental restoration in southeastern New England reflect a legislative approach oriented toward constituency service and district-specific concerns. His role on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, particularly as Ranking Member of the Europe Subcommittee, has given him a platform on matters of transatlantic security and NATO policy, areas where he has pursued bipartisan cooperation on legislation affirming U.S. commitment to collective defense.

Keating's path from the Norfolk County DA's office to Congress paralleled that of Bill Delahunt, his predecessor in the House seat, creating an institutional link between the two offices that has been noted by political observers in Massachusetts.