Steven D. Pierce (born October 10, 1949) is a retired Massachusetts jurist and politician who most recently served as chief justice of the Massachusetts Housing Court. He retired from the Housing Court September 2015.[4]
Pierce sought the Republican nomination for Governor in 1990. Pierce was considered the favorite to win the nomination. He won the vote at the State Convention and led his opponent William Weld in opinion polls by as much as 25%. However, on September 18, he lost the Republican Primary to Weld 61%-39%.[6] Weld later appointed Pierce to the position of Secretary of Communities and Development.[7]
Pierce rejoined the Weld administration in 1993 as a senior adviser to the governor.[9] In 1994, he was appointed Executive Director of the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (later known as MassHousing).[10] He left MassHousing in 2001 to serve as chief legal counsel to acting governor Jane M. Swift.[11]
Shortly before her term expired, Swift nominated Pierce to be the chief justice of the Massachusetts Housing Court. He was confirmed by the Massachusetts Governor's Council 6-2.[12]