Ray Jordan

Ray Jordan

Springfield resident Raymond Jordan became the first African American to serve as president of the Electoral College in Massachusetts when he served as the college’s chairman as the Commonwealth’s 12 presidential electors were sworn in by Gov. Deval Patrick on Dec. 15.

Springfield resident Raymond Jordan became the first African American to serve as president of the Electoral College in Massachusetts when he served as the college’s chairman as the Commonwealth’s 12 presidential electors were sworn in by Gov. Deval Patrick on Dec. 15.

Jordan, who is the vice chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party and was an early superdelegate supporter of President-elect Barack Obama, led the slate of six male and six female presidential electors that represented the state party.

“President Jordan has been a champion for change on the Democratic State Committee and it is fitting that he was elected by his peers to lead the college,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh. “Ray has pushed for opening up the democratic process in the party and, along with Jerome Grossman, authored an add-on initiative that opened up the party process for traditionally underrepresented communities.”

Jordan said he was proud of the distinction.

“It is a great honor to preside over the Electoral College as we cast our votes on behalf of all the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” he said. “To be sworn in by the first African American governor of Massachusetts and have the privilege to preside over the Electoral College that officially elects the first African American president is priceless, a great blessing and truly a dream deferred.”

The other members of the Massachusetts Electoral College for 2008 were: John Brisette of Worcester; Joseph Kaplan of Mansfield; Melvin Poindexter of Watertown; Samuel Poulten of Chelmsford; Jason Whittet of Wellesley; Brenda Brathwaite of Newton; Mary Ann Dube of Worcester; Patricia Marcus of Greenfield; Faye Morrison of Ayer; Carol Pacheco of Dedham; and Corinne Wingard of Agawam.