Marian Walsh
| Marian Walsh | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the Suffolk and Norfolk district |
|
| In office 1993 – January 5, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Christoper Lane |
| Succeeded by | Michael F. Rush |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
Marian Walsh was born in Roslindale, Boston, Massachusetts. She was a State Senator representing several cities and towns in Suffolk and Norfolk counties. She served six terms in the Massachusetts State Senate and was promoted to the position of Assistant Majority Leader in early 2003. She was the first woman from her district to serve in both the House of Representatives and in the State Senate. Senator Walsh did not seek re-election in 2010 following a scandal over her acceptance of a position as the head of HEFA—a cushy assignment widely criticized for Walsh's perceived lack of experience, and the apparent patronage that landed her the position.
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[edit] Education
Walsh graduated from Ursuline Academy and Newton College of the Sacred Heart with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and American Studies, and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from the Harvard Divinity School. She also achieved a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. Walsh failed her first attempt at the Massachusetts bar exam, but later passed and obtained her license.[1] She has been a guest lecturer at Suffolk Law, Tufts University, Boston College, Boston College Law School, and Salem State College.
[edit] Career
While working as Chief Administrator at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, she established the Victim/Witness Assistance Program; the Homicide Response Team; and the first full-time, permanent Organized Crime Division. When she was released from her position, she filed suit, accusing her employer of sexual discrimination for failing to promote her during her tenure. Later, she was appointed Assistant Director of Governmental Relations for the Massachusetts Medical Society. Walsh served the 10th Suffolk District in the House of Representatives between 1988 and 1992.
Before she became Assistant Majority Leader, she served as Senate Chair of the Joint Legislative Committees on Taxation; Banks and Banking; Public Service; Criminal Justice; Ways and Means; Education; and the Committee on Housing and Urban Development.
In 2004, Walsh was opposed by independent Bob Joyce in the general election. Walsh won every precinct in the district.
Walsh's Republican opponent during the 2006 elections was Douglas E. Obey of Westwood. Walsh won every town in the district; the final vote margin was 69-31%, with a spread of over 20,000 votes.
In 2009, Walsh faced criticism for an appointment as assistant director of the Massachusetts Health and Education Facilities Authority, a position that had been vacant for twelve years. Many viewed the appointment as unncessary during a bad economy.
Walsh announced on 27 January 2010 that she would not seek reelection to her seat in the 2010 general election.
[edit] Awards
She has been named Legislator of the Year by a variety of groups, including the Environmental League of Massachusetts, the State Police Association, the YMCA, the Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern Massachusetts, and the ALS Society of Massachusetts. In 2003, she was included in the list of "Boston's 100 Most Powerful Women" by Boston Magazine.
[edit] Issues
On August 2, 2006, Walsh called for an independent review of Big Dig.[2][citation needed]
