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Historically, Irish Catholics controlled many city machines and often served as chairmen of the Democratic National Committee, including [[Thomas Taggart]], Vance McCormick, [[James Farley]], [[Edward J. Flynn]], [[Robert E. Hannegan]], [[J. Howard McGrath]], William H. Boyle, Jr., [[John Moran Bailey]], [[Larry O'Brien]], [[Christopher Dodd]], and [[Terry McAuliffe]]. The majority of Irish Catholics in Congress are Democrats; currently [[Susan Collins]] of Maine is the only Irish Catholic Republican senator.  

Historically, Irish Catholics controlled many city machines and often served as chairmen of the Democratic National Committee, including [[Thomas Taggart]], Vance McCormick, [[James Farley]], [[Edward J. Flynn]], [[Robert E. Hannegan]], [[J. Howard McGrath]], William H. Boyle, Jr., [[John Moran Bailey]], [[Larry O'Brien]], [[Christopher Dodd]], and [[Terry McAuliffe]]. The majority of Irish Catholics in Congress are Democrats; currently [[Susan Collins]] of Maine is the only Irish Catholic Republican senator.  

Exit polls show that in recent presidential elections Irish Catholics have split about 50-50 for Democratic and Republican candidates; large majorities voted for Ronald Reagan.<ref>[George J. Marlin, ''The American Catholic Voter'' (2004), pp 296-345</ref> The pro-life silent majority in the Democratic party includes many Irish Catholic politicians, such as senator [[Bob Casey, Jr.]], who defeated Senator [[Rick Santorum]] in a high visibility race in Pennsylvania in 2006.<ref>Prendergast, William B. ''The Catholic Voter in American Politics: The Passing of the Democratic Monolith'' (1999)</ref>

Exit polls show that in recent presidential elections Irish Catholics have split about 50-50 for Democratic and Republican candidates; large majorities voted for Ronald Reagan.<ref>George J. Marlin, ''The American Catholic Voter'' (2004), pp 296-345</ref> The pro-life silent majority in the Democratic party includes many Irish Catholic politicians, such as senator [[Bob Casey, Jr.]], who defeated Senator [[Rick Santorum]] in a high visibility race in Pennsylvania in 2006.<ref>Prendergast, William B. ''The Catholic Voter in American Politics: The Passing of the Democratic Monolith'' (1999)</ref>

Many major cities have elected Irish Catholic mayors. [[Chicago]], [[Boston]], and [[Jersey City]] have breen especially prominent. New York City has had at least three Irish-born mayors and over eight Irish Catholic mayors. The most recent one was William O'Dwyer, elected in 1949.

Many major cities have elected Irish Catholic mayors. [[Chicago]], [[Boston]], and [[Jersey City]] have breen especially prominent. New York City has had at least three Irish-born mayors and over eight Irish Catholic mayors. The most recent one was William O'Dwyer, elected in 1949.