Charlton Selectwoman Kathleen Walker Announces Candidacy for State Representative

Charlton Selectwoman Kathleen Walker last week announced her candidacy as a Democrat for State Representative in the 6th Worcester District. Walker, a nine-year member of the Board of Selectmen, pulled nomination papers with the Secretary of State to begin the process of running for the seat.

The newly redrawn 6th Worcester district includes the towns of Dudley and Southbridge, three precincts in Charlton, and one precinct in Spencer. She will be facing the current 6^th District representative, Peter J. Durant (R-Spencer), who plans to officially announce his re-election bid in March.

"I decided to run for this office because I have a strong commitment to the 6th Worcester District and beyond," said Walker. "I believe that I can bring a voice to Beacon Hill that represents both my democratic values and the wide range of experience I have as a local official, a Retired Postal Service worker, and as an active member of my community."

In her work on the Charlton Selectboard, Walker recently led an endeavor to reinstate the Fay Mountain Farm Committee to support local farming and has also proposed acquisition of a plot for a Habitat for Humanity house. In a continued effort to help seniors combat increasing costs of living, she has proposed changes to the Senior Tax Write-off Program and as a committee member of the Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors foundation raised funds to assist seniors with rising heating costs.

Walker serves on the Patrick Administration's Local Government Advisory Commission, the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and as one of eight Selectmen in the state on the Massachusetts Selectman's Association Board for District 5. She is a member of the Charlton Recycling and the Municipal Building Committees, as well as the Old Home Day and Earth Day Festival Committees.

"I look forward to spending the next several months talking to voters in the 6th Worcester District about the issues that matter most to them, as well as what I feel I bring to the table," said Walker. "We need to be talking about how to create jobs for our neighbors, improve education for our children, and build a better future for our community."

Kathleen Walker is a 19-year resident of Charlton, She and husband Mike Lally have eight grandchildren.