Biden Chooses Boston Mayor Marty Walsh As Labor Secretary
BOSTON (CBS) – After months of speculation, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has been added to president-elect Joe Biden's list of cabinet choices.
On Thursday, Biden announced he is nominating Walsh as labor secretary and Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo commerce secretary.
Walsh's name had been floated as a potential choice for the position since November. It is not yet known when Walsh could begin the confirmation process. The Democratic mayor is up for re-election in November.
Biden's transition team made the announcement official Thursday night in a statement.
Mayor Walsh has worked tirelessly to rebuild the middle class, create a more inclusive, resilient economy, and fight for workers in his hometown — including fighting for a $15 minimum wage and paid family leave. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Walsh is working to support frontline workers, including funding emergency child care and other resources essential workers need to weather the pandemic. As the current Chairman of Climate Mayors, a group of 470 mayors nationwide, Mayor Walsh knows that we can create good-paying union jobs by investing in clean energy. Having served as the head of both Laborers' Union Local 223 and the Boston Metropolitan District Building Trades Council, Mayor Walsh has the necessary experience, relationships, and the trust of the President-elect to help workers recover from this historic economic downturn and usher in a new era of worker power.
If Walsh leaves office, Boston City Council President Kim Janey would become acting mayor.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker was asked about the news Thursday and said he had not spoken to Walsh about the report.
"We obviously have had, for the past six years now, a really positive collaborative working relationship with Mayor Walsh and his team… Our ability to work together has made a big difference for the city," said Baker. "If he does take this job, obviously we'll wish him well and do everything we can to make sure that, in the midst of this difficult time, that we transition effectively and quickly and collaboratively."
