PEABODY — State Representative Thomas Walsh (D-Peabody) is running for a second full term on Beacon Hill.
Walsh, who also served Peabody as a state representative in the late 1980s and early ’90s, won a special election in 2016 for the 12th Essex District seat. Later that year, he ran unopposed for a full term representing the district, which includes all of Peabody with the exception of West Peabody’s Ward 6.
“I’ve taken nomination papers out and I’ve been collecting signatures for the past week to 10 days,” said Walsh.
The representative said his focus in office is on local issues, especially economic development for the city. Walsh said he considers himself almost as a 12th city councilor looking out for Peabody’s interests.
Walsh was an at-large councilor before winning the special election in 2016, and decided not to run for reelection to the council in 2017 so he could devote his time to being a state representative.
“On the local level, I successfully helped shepherd the additional (20) liquor licenses for Peabody through the legislature,” said Walsh. “That’s a big deal for economic development for the downtown and the other areas of the city with new liquor licenses, including Centennial Park and the Route 1 and 114 area.”
He said he’s also worked to get state funding for the new first responders’ memorial across from Emerson Park, as well as for the city’s centennial celebration. Walsh helped secure state funding for a study to run trolleys from Peabody Square to the Salem commuter rail station and been a vocal proponent to bring a new Registry of Motor Vehicles location to Peabody, or at least close to the city. Since the closing of the Danvers branch at the Liberty Tree Mall in 2016, the state has taken a sometimes circuitous route to bring registry services back to the Peabody area.
On a statewide level, Walsh has been involved with efforts to set up an opioid database, has worked to strengthen the state’s sex offender registry board, and is on the new foster care subcommittee.
“Local issues are my most important focus, and I will continue to advocate for Peabody as I run for another term,” Walsh said.
