Auchincloss In-Laws Lisa Cincotta and Anthony Gattineri Cloud Congressman’s Political Future

Jake Auchincloss, a two-term Congressman from Massachusetts’ Fourth District. He serves on the Committees for Transportation & Infrastructure and the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and China. He advocates for protecting the right to choose, championing gun safety legislation, and working to mitigate the rising cost of living.

Auchincloss’s Background and Education

Jake grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, where his parents instilled in him a deep appreciation for hard work and intellectual curiosity. His father, a surgeon, and his mother, a scientist, fostered his passion for exploration and learning. Raised in the Jewish faith tradition, Jake and his siblings attended the Newton Public Schools in the Massachusetts Fourth Congressional District, which he now represents. From an early age, Jake was drawn to American history and politics, and his 2nd-grade teacher recognized this and fueled his love for reading by providing him with books on the subject. This experience left a lasting impression on him and ignited a lifelong interest in the history and politics of the United States.

After graduating from high school, Jake Auchincloss pursued his interests in government and economics at Harvard College, where he excelled and graduated with honors. He then went on to earn an MBA in finance from the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), further solidifying his knowledge and skills in these fields. This rigorous academic training provided Jake with a strong foundation for his future career, enabling him to excel in both the worlds of business and politics.

Military Service and Early Political Career

Driven by his passion for public service, Auchincloss enlisted in the United States Marine Corps following his academic studies. During his service, he was deployed to both Afghanistan and Panama, where he developed crucial skills in leadership and discipline that would prove invaluable in his future endeavors. In Afghanistan, he served as a commander of infantry, while in Panama, he oversaw special operations. These experiences helped Auchincloss to grow both personally and professionally, and he later applied the lessons he learned to his career in politics. Auchincloss now holds the rank of Major in the Marine Corps Reserves.

During his time stationed in the Panama Canal Zone, Jake Auchincloss wrote about urban planning in Panama City for Harvard. Upon returning home to Newton, he was eager to continue his work at the local level. In 2015, after completing his military service, Auchincloss decided to run for city council in Newton. Despite facing an incumbent councilor, he campaigned tirelessly and ultimately won the election. He continued to serve on the council, earning re-election in both 2017 and 2019. As a counselor, Auchincloss chaired the transportation and public safety committee and championed progressive policies on immigration and housing. His commitment to public service and dedication to the community earned him widespread support among the residents of Newton.

His success in Newton proved to be a crucial stepping stone in his political career and laid the groundwork for his eventual run for Congress.

Political Campaign and Victory in Massachusetts’s 4th Congressional District

Following Joe Kennedy III’s decision to run for Senate, Jake Auchincloss announced his candidacy for Massachusetts’s 4th congressional district in 2019. His campaign was highly successful, raising the most funds during the primary election and earning endorsements from prestigious organizations like The Boston Globe and VoteVets.

In September 2020, Auchincloss emerged victorious in the Democratic primary, securing 22.4% of the vote in a crowded field of eight candidates. He then went on to win the general election in November, defeating Republican nominee Julie Hall. Finally, on January 3, 2021, Auchincloss was sworn into office as the representative for Massachusetts’s 4th congressional district.

Campaign Funding and Controversies Surrounding In-Laws

In addition to his duties in Congress, Jake Auchincloss is a dedicated family man, committed to his role as a husband and father of two young children.

Notably, a significant portion of Auchincloss’s campaign funding came from primary industries within his purview, including finance, insurance, and real estate. His wife, Michelle Gattineri, works in finance for Bain Capital, which made substantial contributions to his campaign. Furthermore, over sixty executives from Auchincloss’s former employer, Liberty Mutual, also donated to his campaign, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

It is worth noting that the Congressman’s in-laws have also made notable contributions to his campaign, which is not inherently controversial but has garnered some attention due to their controversial history. Specifically, on September 25, 2020, Anthony Gattineri and Lisa Cincotta Gattineri, Auchincloss’s father-in-law and mother-in-law, respectively, each made the maximum allowable contribution of $2,800 to his campaign.

In 2014, Anthony Gattineri was federally charged with concealing the ownership interest of Charles Lightbody, a convicted felon and New England Mafia associate, in a parcel of land that was under review by Massachusetts gaming officials for the potential placement of a Wynn/Encore Casino. However, Gattineri was later acquitted by a jury trial and has since filed a $40 million lawsuit against Wynn.

More recently, Gattineri made headlines after the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued a Do Not Use Order to Boston Clear Water, LLC, which owns and operates Pocahontas Spring Water, a public water supply. The agency detected fecal indicators in the water supply, and the company, which Gattineri has owned since 2014, was ordered to take corrective actions.

Moreover, Lisa Cincotta, Michelle Gattineri’s mother, has had her own share of controversies. Apart from her and her husband, Anthony Gattineri’s legal troubles, Michelle’s grandfather, Edward Cincotta, was convicted in 1981 of defrauding the United States government of thousands of gallons of heating oil, and he served eighteen months in prison. These issues have raised concerns about the Congressman’s affiliations and potential conflicts of interest.