Thomas Edward Perreckin (born July 8, 1932) is a retired American Nationalist politician best known for serving as Governor of Massachusetts from 1983-1991. He is notable in that in a heavily Democratic state he survived two election years (1982 and 1986) that were otherwise regarded as very strong for national and state-level Democrats. From the liberal wing of his party, he made numerous bargains with Democrats and is credited with starting the political career of future Democratic President Jay Leno by appointing him the head of the Massachusetts State Labor Board in February of 1983.