Marty Walsh (politician)

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For persons of a similar name, see Martin Walsh (disambiguation).

Marty Walsh
Official Portrait of the 29th Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh
29th United States Secretary of Labor
Assumed office
March 23, 2021
PresidentJoe Biden
DeputyJulie Su
Preceded byEugene Scalia
54th Mayor of Boston
In office
January 6, 2014 – March 22, 2021
Preceded byThomas Menino
Succeeded byKim Janey (acting)
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
from the 13th Suffolk district
In office
April 12, 1997 – January 3, 2014
Preceded byJames T. Brett
Succeeded byDaniel J. Hunt
Personal details
Born
Martin Joseph Walsh

(1967-04-10) April 10, 1967 (age 54)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationBoston College (BA)
WebsiteOfficial website

Martin Joseph Walsh (born April 10, 1967) is an American politician and former union official. He has been the 29th United States Secretary of Labor since March 23, 2021. A Democrat, he served as the 54th mayor of Boston from 2014 until 2021, when he resigned to take the role of Secretary of Labor under President Joe Biden. He was previously a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the Thirteenth Suffolk district from 1997 until 2014. Walsh was confirmed by the United States Senate for the position of secretary of labor by a 68–29 vote on March 22, 2021, becoming the final department secretary of Biden's Cabinet to be confirmed.[1]

Early life and education[]

Walsh was born in Dorchester, Boston, to John Walsh, an Irish American originally from Callowfeenish, a townland near Carna, County Galway, and Mary (née O'Malley), from Rosmuc.[2] The couple emigrated to the United States in the 1950s[3] and gave birth to Marty in 1967.

Walsh grew up in the Savin Hill area of Boston's Dorchester neighborhood. He was diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma at age 7, forcing him to miss most of second and third grade and repeat fifth grade. At age 11, after going through years of chemotherapy, a scan revealed no traces of the cancer.[4] He went to high school at The Newman School and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Woods College of Advancing Studies at Boston College in 2009.[5]

Early political career[]

Labor positions[]

Walsh joined the Laborers' Union Local 223 at age 21 and served as the union's president until he became the mayor of Boston.[6]

He was elected secretary-treasurer and general agent of the Boston Metropolitan District Building Trades Council, a union umbrella group, in the fall of 2010. In 2011, Walsh was named head of the Boston Building Trades, a position that came with a $175,000 yearly salary.[7] Walsh resigned his post when he announced he was running for mayor in 2013.[8]

State representative[]

Walsh during his tenure in the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Walsh was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1997. He represented the Thirteenth district of Suffolk County, which includes Dorchester and one precinct in Quincy.[9] He was the Chairman of the Committee on Ethics, and served as a Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party Labor Caucus.[10] During his tenure he also served as the co-chair for the Special Commission on Public Construction Reform.[11]

On February 13, 2013, Walsh introduced a bill to have The Modern Lovers song "Roadrunner" be named the official rock song of Massachusetts.[12] The song's writer, Jonathan Richman, came out against this, saying, "I don't think the song is good enough to be a Massachusetts song of any kind."[13]

Mayoralty[]

2013 mayoral election[]

In April 2013, Walsh announced he would run for Mayor of Boston in the 2013 mayoral election.[14] He resigned the Trades Council position in April 2013 after formally announcing his bid for mayor.[15]

Walsh campaigned on the promise to champion a 24-hour Boston, including extending the hours of operation of the "T" into the night.[16] The MBTA answers to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, which is a state and not city agency, but Walsh campaigned on the promise to extend MBTA service thanks to his tenure in the state house. "As a 16-year veteran of the House," he said, "I am uniquely qualified to negotiate transportation plans with the legislature."[17]

On September 24, 2013, Walsh received a plurality of the vote, among twelve candidates in the mayoral preliminary election, with 18.4% of the vote.[18] As a result, he advanced to the general election, facing second place vote-getter Boston City Councilor John R. Connolly, who received 17.2% of the vote.[18] Walsh defeated Connolly in the general election on November 5, 2013, with 51.5% of the vote, compared to Connolly's 48.1%.[19]

First term[]

Walsh speaks in 2015

Walsh was sworn in as mayor on January 6, 2014.[20]

Olympic bid[]

See also: Boston bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics

Boston was originally selected as the United States' bid city for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Walsh supported the bid. In October 2014, Walsh had signed a letter stating that he would sign the Host City Contract without reservation; however, in July 2015, he stated that he was not comfortable signing the financial guarantee in its current form at that time.[21] This was one of a number of events that led to the cancelation of Boston's bid for the Olympics on July 27, 2015.

Sanctuary city status[]

In a speech given on January 25, 2017, Walsh reaffirmed Boston's status as a sanctuary city for people living in the country without documentation. The address was given in the same week that President Donald Trump threatened to pull federal funding to cities that have a policy of protecting illegal immigrants by not prosecuting them for violating federal immigration laws. A defiant Walsh said: "If people want to live here, they'll live here. They can use my office. They can use any office in this building."[22]

2017 mayoral election[]

In July 2017, Walsh announced he would seek a second term in the 2017 mayoral election.[23] On September 26, 2017, he received 62% of the vote in the preliminary election. He advanced to the general election and faced second place vote-getter, Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson, who had received 29% of the vote. Walsh defeated Jackson in the general election held on November 7,[24] with 65% of the vote, compared to Jackson's 34%.

Second term[]

Walsh was sworn in for his second term on January 1, 2018; then-former vice-president Joe Biden presided at the ceremony.[25]

Social issues[]

During the George Floyd protests, Boston area activists called on Walsh to reduce spending on Boston Police Department by at least 10% for the 2021 fiscal budget. Walsh instead diverted $12 million from police overtime spending, less than 3% of the overall department budget.[26][27]

Resignation[]

Walsh resigned as mayor on March 22, 2021, the same day that he was confirmed for his position in the Cabinet of Joe Biden.[28] Kim Janey, president of the Boston City Council, became acting mayor upon Walsh's resignation.[29]

Secretary of Labor[]

Walsh is sworn in as the new Secretary of the Department of Labor by Vice President Kamala Harris in March 2021

On January 7, 2021, Walsh was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as Secretary of Labor.[30] On February 11, 2021, the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions voted to move Walsh's confirmation forward to a full Senate vote.[31] The nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 22, 2021, by a vote of 68–29.[32][33] The next day, he was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris.[34]

Personal life[]

Walsh resides in the Lower Mills neighborhood of Dorchester with his longtime girlfriend Lorrie Higgins.[35][36] He is a recovering alcoholic, with more than twenty years of continuous sobriety in a twelve-step program.[37]

Walsh has been a season ticket holder of American football's New England Patriots since franchise owner Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994.[38]

He is a Roman Catholic.[39] He speaks Irish.[40]

Electoral history[]

Massachusetts House of Representatives[]

1997 13th Suffolk District State Representative Special Election[41][42]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marty Walsh 2,085 32.76
Democratic James W. Hunt III 1,839 28.89
Democratic Charles R. Tevnan 1,039 16.32
Democratic Martha Coakley 746 11.72
Democratic Edward M. Regal 612 9.62
Democratic Charles P. Burke 42 0.66
Write-in 2 0.03
Total votes 6,365 100%
General election
Democratic Marty Walsh 842 98.83
Write-in 10 1.17
Total votes 852 100%
1998 13th Suffolk District State Representative Election[43][44]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 4,184 100.00
Total votes 4,184 100%
General election
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 6,282 100.00
Total votes 6,282 100%
2000 13th Suffolk District State Representative Election[45][46]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 1,023 100.00
Total votes 1,023 100%
General election
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 8,113 100.00
Total votes 8,113 100%
2002 13th Suffolk District State Representative Election[47][48]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 3,760 80.67
Democratic Edward L. Geary, Jr. 901 19.33
Total votes 4,661 100%
General election
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 6,756 100.00
Total votes 6,756 100%
2004 13th Suffolk District State Representative Election[49][50]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 2,826 98.36
Write-in 47 1.64
Total votes 2,873 100%
General election
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 9,532 88.51
Republican John P. O'Gorman 1,196 11.10
Write-in 42 0.39
Total votes 10,770 100%
2006 13th Suffolk District State Representative Election[51][52]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 4,041 98.97
Write-in 42 1.03
Total votes 4,083 100%
General election
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 7,624 98.56
Write-in 111 1.44
Total votes 7,735 100%
2008 13th Suffolk District State Representative Election[53][54]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 2,120 99.02
Write-in 21 0.98
Total votes 2,141 100%
General election
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 10,678 98.64
Write-in 147 1.36
Total votes 10,825 100%
2010 13th Suffolk District State Representative Election[55][56]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 2,257 98.73
Write-in 29 1.27
Total votes 2,286 100%
General election
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 7,903 98.21
Write-in 144 1.79
Total votes 8,047 100%
2012 13th Suffolk District State Representative Election[57][58]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 2,058 98.56
Write-in 30 1.44
Total votes 2,088 100%
General election
Democratic Marty Walsh (incumbent) 13,744 98.19
Write-in 253 1.81
Total votes 13,997 100%

Boston Mayor[]

2013 Boston Mayoral Election[59][60]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Marty Walsh 20,854 18.47
Nonpartisan John R. Connolly 19,435 17.21
Nonpartisan Charlotte Golar Richie 15,546 13.77
Nonpartisan Daniel Conley 12,775 11.32
Nonpartisan Felix Arroyo 9,895 8.76
Nonpartisan John Barros 9,148 8.10
Nonpartisan Robert Consalvo 8,603 7.62
Nonpartisan Michael Ross 8,164 7.23
Nonpartisan Bill Walczak 3,825 3.39
Nonpartisan Charles Yancey 2,389 2.12
Nonpartisan Charles Clemons 1,800 1.59
Nonpartisan David Wyatt 334 0.30
Write-in 130 0.12
Total votes 112,898 100%
General election
Nonpartisan Marty Walsh 72,583 51.54
Nonpartisan John R. Connolly 67,694 48.07
Write-in 560 0.40
Total votes 140,837 100%
2017 Boston Mayoral Election[61][62]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Marty Walsh (incumbent) 34,882 62.52
Nonpartisan Tito Jackson 16,216 29.07
Nonpartisan Robert Cappucci 3,736 6.70
Nonpartisan Joseph Wiley 529 0.95
Write-in 428 0.77
Total votes 55,791 100%
General election
Nonpartisan Marty Walsh (incumbent) 70,197 65.37
Nonpartisan Tito Jackson 36,472 33.97
Write-in 708 0.66
Total votes 107,377 100%

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jim Puzzanghera (March 22, 2021). "Senate confirms Walsh as Labor Secretary". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  2. ^ Lorna Siggins, Mairtin O Cathain (November 7, 2013). "Boston mayor with Connemara roots promises to visit next Spring". Irishtimes.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  3. ^ "Walsh's cancer fight marked his youth". The Boston Globe. October 20, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Marty Walsh cancer battle, bostonglobe.com; accessed April 22, 2014.
  5. ^ "Member Profile - Martin J. Walsh". Malegislature.gov. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  6. ^ Ryan, Andrew (September 25, 2013). "Path carries Martin Walsh closer to his dream". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  7. ^ Milton, Valencia (September 30, 2015). "Teamsters face charges over Top Chef harassment". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  8. ^ Dumcius, Gintautas (December 1, 2010). "Walsh to take key union post; plans to keep House seat". Dorchester Reporter. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  9. ^ Quinn, Garrett (November 21, 2013). "Boston Mayor-elect Marty Walsh says goodbye to the State House". masslive.
  10. ^ Ryan, Andrew (April 10, 2013). "State Representative Martin J. Walsh formally announces bid for mayor of Boston". Boston.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  11. ^ Bernstein, David S. (September 18, 2013). "Is Marty Walsh Too Much of a Union Guy To Be Trusted?". Bostonmagazine.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  12. ^ "Representative Marty Walsh wants 'Roadrunner' named official rock song of Massachusetts", Boston.com, February 11, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  13. ^ /00:00Playing Live (November 2, 2013). "Arts And The Next Mayor: What Boston Wants And What It May Get | The ARTery". Artery.wbur.org. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  14. ^ "Rep. Walsh announces run for Boston mayor". Wicked Local. April 10, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  15. ^ Ryan, Andrew (April 10, 2013). "State Representative Martin J. Walsh formally announces bid for mayor of Boston". Boston.com. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  16. ^ "Holding Mayor-elect Marty Walsh to his promise to extend night service on the MBTA". The Boston Globe. November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  17. ^ "Boston mayoral candidates respond to questions about MBTA". The Boston Globe. September 12, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b "City of Boston, Preliminary Municipal Election, September 24, 2013" (PDF). City of Boston Elections Department.
  19. ^ "Boston Municipal Election, November 5, 2013 - Mayor". City of Boston Elections Department.
  20. ^ Ryan, Andrew (January 7, 2014). "With theme of unity, Walsh takes helm as mayor of Boston". The Boston Globe. p. A.1. Retrieved March 17, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Bird, Hayden (July 31, 2015). "In Fact, Mayor Walsh Did Agree to Sign a 2024 Taxpayer Guarantee". BostInno. Archived from the original on August 10, 2015.
  22. ^ Irons, Meghan E.; Guerra, Cristela (January 25, 2017). "Walsh rails against Trump, calls immigration actions 'direct attack'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  23. ^ "Boston Mayor Marty Walsh Kicks Off Re-Election Bid". WBZ-TV. July 22, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  24. ^ "Marty Walsh Re-Elected As Mayor Of Boston". WBZ-TV. November 7, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  25. ^ "Mayor Walsh sworn in to serve second term". Boston.gov. January 1, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  26. ^ Walters, Quincy (June 24, 2020). "Despite Strong Criticism Of Police Spending, Boston City Council Passes Budget". WBUR. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  27. ^ Walters, Quincy (June 12, 2020). "Walsh Declares Racism 'A Public Health Crisis,' Proposes To Divert Less Than 3% Of Police Budget To Other Services". WBUR. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  28. ^ "Marty Walsh Confirmed As Labor Secretary, Resigns As Mayor Of Boston". MSN.com. CBS News. March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  29. ^ Gavin, Christopher (March 22, 2021). "Kim Janey becomes Boston's acting mayor, makes history as first Black person, woman to hold the office". Boston Herald. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  30. ^ Lynch, David J.; Stein, Jeff; Rosenberg, Eli; Freedman, Andrew. "Biden to name Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo as commerce secretary, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh for labor". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  31. ^ "Senate committee approves Walsh nomination".
  32. ^ "Marty Walsh confirmed as Secretary of Labor".
  33. ^ "Senate confirms Walsh as Labor Secretary".
  34. ^ Goodwin, Liz; Puzzanghera, Jim (March 23, 2021). "Walsh sworn in as labor secretary by Vice President Harris". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  35. ^ Mayor Walsh set to move to Lower Mills home, July 24, 2015
  36. ^ Profile of Mayor-elect Walsh, November 7, 2013.
  37. ^ In race for Boston mayor, former addicts back candidate with a past, nytimes.com; accessed April 22, 2014.
  38. ^ "Robert Kraft likes idea of draft in Boston". ESPNBoston.com. May 8, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  39. ^ "Early struggles gave Martin Walsh a solid underpinning". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  40. ^ Deegan, Gordon. "Boston mayor welcomed back to the land of his parents". The Irish Times. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  41. ^ "1997 State Representative Special Democratic Primary". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  42. ^ "1997 State Representative Special General Election". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  43. ^ "1998 State Representative Democratic Primary". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  44. ^ "1998 State Representative General Election". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  45. ^ "2000 State Representative Democratic Primary". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  46. ^ "2000 State Representative General Election". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  47. ^ "2002 State Representative Democratic Primary". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  48. ^ "2002 State Representative General Election". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  49. ^ "2004 State Representative Democratic Primary". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  50. ^ "2004 State Representative General Election". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  51. ^ "2006 State Representative Democratic Primary". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  52. ^ "2006 State Representative General Election". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  53. ^ "2008 State Representative Democratic Primary". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  54. ^ "2008 State Representative General Election". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  55. ^ "2010 State Representative Democratic Primary". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  56. ^ "2010 State Representative General Election". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  57. ^ "2012 State Representative Democratic Primary". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  58. ^ "2012 State Representative General Election". Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  59. ^ "Preliminary Municipal Election" (PDF). cityofboston.gov. September 24, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  60. ^ "Municipal Election" (PDF). cityofboston.gov. November 5, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  61. ^ "Preliminary Municipal Election" (PDF). cityofboston.gov. September 26, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  62. ^ "Municipal Election" (PDF). cityofboston.gov. November 7, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2021.

External links[]

Massachusetts House of Representatives
Preceded by
James T. Brett 		Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
from the 13th Suffolk district
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Daniel J. Hunt
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