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Home , Marty Walsh (politician), Mayor of Boston

MAYOR OF

Life in Brief Quick Summary Born: April 10, 1967 Boston mayor and Democrat with union background who advocates for low-income Hometown: Dorchester, MA communities and has become a leading voice on substance abuse. Frequently cites Current Residence: Dorchester, MA unconventional political profile as recovering alcoholic who earned his college degree as an Education: adult • B.A., , 2009 • Son of Irish immigrants who was born and raised in Dorchester and battled childhood Family: cancer • Girlfriend, Lorrie Higgins • Union member for his entire adult life and received crucial support from labor groups Work History: during mayoral run. However, has embraced • , 2014-present pro-business groups, including Boston Chamber • President, Boston Building Trades, 2011-13 of Commerce, on initiatives to grow economy • State Representative from the 13th district, • Work with State Rep. James Brett served as 1997-2014 primer to entering public office. Earned spot in • Union Official, LiUNA Local 223 Union, dates State House without a college unknown degree • Construction Worker, dates unknown • Advocates for low-income families through workforce development initiatives and affordable Professional Associations housing, including pushing for higher state-wide • U.S. Conference of Mayors minimum wage and expanding public housing • Boston Museum of Fine Arts • Struggled with alcoholism as a young adult and has made combatting substance abuse a priority Electoral Overview as mayor and in his role at the U.S. Conference • Won 2017 general mayoral election with of Mayors 65.4% of the vote. Won in 2013 with 51.5% of the vote Approach and Motivations • Won 13th Suffolk primary with 32.8% of the vote in 1997. Won unopposed in general Cultivates working class persona who election with 98.8%. Won re-election eight advocates for underdogs times with an average of 97.7% of the vote, • Considers himself an underdog having faced running unopposed in all but one general host of health problems in his young life election • Strong background in labor union leadership; was arrested at rally for UPS workers when he first entered State House • Believes union jobs are the foundation of a middle class. However, does not believe being pro-union and pro-business are mutually exclusive

PEOPLE RESEARCH SERVICE 1

MARTY WALSH MAYOR OF BOSTON

Policy Positions and Areas of Focus Core Communities

Concern for underserved communities drives Despite union background, also maintains policy priorities of economy, housing market, network of pro-business advocates. Involved in and substance abuse programming larger community of U.S. mayors

Economic Development: Bringing business to Unions: Strongly backed by unions and has Boston and empowering workers partnered with them on employment initiatives • Negotiated incentive packages for companies • Before becoming Mayor, led Boston relocating to Boston, including GE and Reebok Metropolitan District Building Trades Council. • Attracts trade and tourism, including through While there, created partnership with trade missions with China, Israel, and Ireland organizations, including Boilermakers • Instituted policies to protect low-wage workers Northeastern and Springfield Electrical, to train while boosting consumer spending to grow women and minorities in construction trades economy, including salary negotiation training • Campaign support from unions including Service and $15/hour Minimum Wage Task Force Employees International and Working America • Collaborates with unions on workforce Housing Insecurity: Expands housing options development, including matching previously for city’s low-income and homeless incarcerated people with apprenticeships at populations unions such as Boston’s Sprinkler Fitters • Upgraded Inclusionary Development Policy requiring developers to build and fund more Business Community: Involves business- homes for low-income families minded individuals and groups on economic • Secured federal funding and dedicated growth strategy and safety initiatives proceeds from city-owned parking garage to • Partners with Governor on rebuild and add public housing in Roxbury, negotiating economic incentives to attract , and companies like GE to Massachusetts • Expanded housing options for Boston’s • Regularly engages with Boston Chamber of homeless population, including through Commerce, including aligning with them in 2024 additional shelters and the Landlord Guarantee Olympic bid. Supported by group for re-election Fund pilot, which supports landlords who rent • Enlisted help of local business groups, including to chronically homeless individuals Massachusetts Business Roundtable, to form public-private partnership to end sex trafficking Fighting Addiction: Resources for individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders Mayors: Partners with mayors from across the • Created Office of Recovery Services and country on policy areas of interest launched a 24-hour hotline • Worked with friend and Framingham, MA mayor • Created Engagement Center for people who Yvonne Spicer on Student Opportunities Act experience addiction to receive services • Collaborates with fellow Co-Chair Mayor Steve • As Chair of U.S. Conference of Mayors Williams of Huntington, WV on U.S. Conference substance abuse task force, crafted toolkit for of Mayors substance abuse task force mayors to address substance abuse disorders, • Organized report and conference on income including overdose prevention training inequality with NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio

PEOPLE RESEARCH SERVICE 2

MARTY WALSH MAYOR OF BOSTON

Relevant Financial Information Publications, Media, and Speaking

During mayoral run, has attracted donations Primarily comments on Massachusetts from working-class New Englanders and economy in state and national newspapers, national labor unions cable news, and economic forums. Also discusses social issues and personal Biggest Individual Donors (2013-present) background • Ryan Denver, Owner of Select Demo (Kingston, NH), $6,500 Publications: Has authored op-eds in national • Dana Barrett, Police Officer (Boston, MA), and city newspapers on Boston’s economic $5,500 progress and social policies, including • Stephen Marcus, Venture Capitalist at Riot VC status (Boston, MA), $4,750 • Favorite Subjects: Immigration, gun control, • Jacques Abatto, Retired (Boston, MA), $3,000 legalization of marijuana, economic • Dominic Abramo Jr., Carpenter (Melrose, MA), development $2,500 • Preferred Outlets: National news outlets including CNN, and Boston-based newspapers Labor Union Donors (2013-present) including the , Boston Magazine, • Has received $500,000 in contributions from and labor unions across the country, mostly • Frequently co-authors with Governor Charlie headquartered in Massachusetts, Washington Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey D.C., and the Midwest • Boston Firefighters Union Local 718: $15,000 Media: Appears in national and local media to • Illinois’ Laborers’ Legislative Committee: speak on personal background, city progress, $15,000 and criticize the Trump Administration • Wisconsin Laborers' District Council Political • Favorite Subjects: Substance abuse, cancer, Fund, $150,000 the Massachusetts economy, President Trump • International Association of Bridge, Structural, • Preferred Outlets: National cable news Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, including MSNBC, and local outlets including $15,000 WGBH, Boston Herald, and WCVB Channel 5 • New England Regional Council of Carpenters, Boston $15,000 • Social Media Habits: Active on Twitter

Political Donations: Walsh and his election Speaking: Discusses personal experience committee have donated to Massachusetts overcoming health obstacles at medical politicians foundations and engages with state business • Stephen Lynch for Congress, $2,500, 2001, community on the economy 2004 • Favorite Subjects: Substance abuse, cancer, • John Kerry for President, $1,000, 2004 innovation in the economy, employment • Preferred Audience: Health centers including Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Lowell House, and economic development groups including Boston Chamber of Commerce and

Dorchester Board of Trade

PEOPLE RESEARCH SERVICE 3

MARTY WALSH MAYOR OF BOSTON

Family and Personal Background COVID-19 Response

Grew up in working-class Irish family and still Walsh has urged Bostonians to follow social lives in hometown of Dorchester distancing guidelines, and has made efforts to limit public activity Son of Irish immigrants who faced adversity as a child and young adult Relevant Positions • Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts • Son of working-class Irish immigrants and is

fluent in Gaelic Actions: Has implemented measures to limit • Leukemia survivor, diagnosed at age 7 and public activity, and has enacted ways to ease found cancer-free at age 11 the financial burden caused by the pandemic • College drop-out, but returned to school as an • Implemented a cloth mask advisory for anyone adult to take night classes at Boston College leaving their homes, and a citywide curfew • Recovering alcoholic with more than twenty between 9pm and 6am through at least May 4 years of sobriety • Closed all public facilities, including playgrounds and recreational sports areas • Is providing face masks to city employees required to work outside their homes • Has dedicated $3 million in city funds to assist residents at risk of losing their rental housing • Extended the due date for property tax bills from May 1 to June 1; has waived interest on late property and motor vehicle tax payments

Statements: Strongly advocates adhering to social distancing guidelines and helping those in need when possible • Updates the public on a daily basis using social media, robocalls, and text alerts • Posts safety information and uplifting messages to his constituents on his Twitter account • Urges adhering to social distancing guidelines, sheltering in place, and washing one’s hands frequently to combat the spread • Warned of potential citations for anyone caught ignoring social distancing guidelines • Encourages residents to donate to the Boston Resiliency Fund to support residents in need; also encourages donating unused PPE to health professionals • Supports housing lenders’ decision to offer deferred mortgage payments to those financially impacted by the pandemic • Has announced the city’s plan to create 1,000 beds at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center to prepare for a likely surge

PEOPLE RESEARCH SERVICE 4