Politics & Government

Senate Candidate Launches Town-to-Town Walk in Wayland

U.S. Senate candidate Tom Conroy, currently a state representative, launched a 600-mile walk across Massachusetts Saturday from his home in Wayland.

The sloping front yard of Tom Conroy's Wayland home served as the setting for the U.S. Senate candidate's kickoff to his Town-to-Town Walk throughout Massachusetts.

Conroy, a Democrat in the midst of his third term as a state representative, is one of six challengers vying for Sen. Scott Brown's seat in the November 2012 election.

Calling the walk a "fantastic, fun and interesting journey around Massachusetts," Conroy told supporters, "We're going to listen, and we're going to learn."

Find out what's happening in Waylandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After thanking his supporters for their commitment and help through the first 30 days of his campaign, about 45 of the 50 people gathered on his lawn headed up Old Connecticut Path on the way to Wayland's town center.

Conroy's daughters, triplets Emma, Cashen and Maddie along with their younger sister Sophie, led the way with a banner bearing their father's name and slogan, "Your Voice in the U.S. Senate."

Find out what's happening in Waylandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Partly, that voice is going to sound like what I hear along this walk," Conroy told Patch. "That voice will be shaped by what I hear along the way. I have , of course, some ideas, but I want to hear what people have to say."

As the "parade" participants walked in and out of sun and shade, cars stopped along the road so drivers could get out and wave, while other drivers simply honked in acknowledgment.

"It's excellent that he would step forward," said Malcolm Astley, a Wayland School Committee member and participant in Saturday's walk. "It's great to join around his positive stance on local issues."

Reaching the corner of Cochituate Road and Route 20, Conroy once again thanked his supporters and invited those who were willing to continue into Sudbury, the next stop on his Town-to-Town tour.

"It's really exciting," Conroy told Patch before heading toward Sudbury. "It's been great talking to people today. It's what I imagine in terms of talking all along the way."

A full map of Conroy's walk is available on his website.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here