John Francis Fitzgerald was born in Boston on February 11, 1863, the fourth child of Irish businessman and politician Thomas Fitzgerald from Co Limerick and Rosanne, a native of Co Cavan.

Known as “Fitzie” in his youth and “Honey Fitz” in later years, John Fitzgerald was the father of Rose who would marry a young Irish American banker, Joseph P. Kennedy.

The other candidate is also a John F. Fitzgerald, but instead of representing any party he is the candidate of a labor organization, Roofers' Protective Union No. 19.