Moira Walsh
Moira Walsh | |
---|---|
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from the 3rd district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2017 | |
Preceded by | Thomas Palangio |
Personal details | |
Born |
Providence, Rhode Island | August 23, 1990
Political party | Democratic |
Children | One son |
Residence | Providence, Rhode Island |
Occupation |
Waitress Labor organizer |
Website |
www |
Moira Walsh (born August 23, 1990) is an American activist and politician who currently represents the 3rd district in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Walsh is a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life
Walsh was born August 23, 1990. She was raised in Smith Hill and attended Classical High School, a public magnet school in Providence.[1][2] After high school, she became a waitress. In 2014, she became involved with the Restaurant Opportunities Center after a coworker brought her to an organizing meeting and became involved in the movement to increase the tipped worker minimum wage from $2.89 per hour to $3.89 per hour.[3] During this period, she also attended Rhode Island College and Community College of Rhode Island.[2]
Rhode Island House of Representatives
Election
- 2016
Walsh chose to run against incumbent Democrat Thomas Palangio after speaking with the Rhode Island state chapter of Jobs with Justice.[1] During the election, she was endorsed by the Working Families Party.[4] She defeated Palangio, 51.80% to 48.20%,[5] in the Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election.[3]
- 2018
Walsh drew national attention when she and three other incumbent legislators did not receive the endorsement of the Rhode Island Democratic Party.[6][7] The Party initially endorsed her primary challenger, Michael Earnheart. They later withdrew the endorsement of Earnheart and decided to not endorse either candidate.[8] Walsh received the endorsement of Congressman David Cicilline, who represents Rhode Island's 1st congressional district.[9] Walsh went on to win the 2018 Democratic Primary against Earnheart. Walsh received 55% of the vote while Earnheart got 45%.[10] Walsh is running unopposed in the 2018 general election.[11]
Tenure
Walsh was sworn into office on January 3, 2017. She was assigned to the Committee on Health, Education and Welfare and Committee on Veterans' Affairs.[2] She has made improving working conditions for tipped workers as key part of her legislative agenda. She has also advocated for the liberalization of drug laws.[1] In March 2017, her criticism of legislators consuming alcohol on the House floor during session made national headlines.[12][13]
Committee Assignments
For the 2017 legislative session Walsh served on the following committees:
- Health, Education, and Welfare
- Veterans' Affairs
References
- 1 2 3 Pina, Alisha A. (December 11, 2016). "New faces in the General Assembly: Moira Walsh, Smith Hill". The Providence Journal. Providence, Rhode Island. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- 1 2 3 "Biography: Representative Moira J. Walsh".
- 1 2 Green, Adrienne (November 15, 2016). "From Waitress to State Representative". The Atlantic. Boston, Massachusetts. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- ↑ Anderson, Theo (September 16, 2016). "A Progressive Wave Rolls Through Rhode Island With 4 Working Families Party Wins". In These Times. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- ↑ "Moira Walsh". Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ↑ Nwanevu, Osita. "Why Did the Rhode Island Democratic Party Endorse an Alt-Right Supporter Over a Progressive Incumbent?". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ↑ Seitz-Wald, Alex. "Rhode Island Dems in uproar as party seeks to oust three progressive women". NBC News. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ↑ "Rhode Island Democrats rescind backing for Trump supporter". NewsOK.com. Associated Press. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ↑ Cicilline, David. "David Cicilline". Twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ↑ "Rhode Island Primary Election 2018". WPRI 12. WPRI. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ↑ Anderson, Patrick. "Walsh fends off challenge from Earnheart in Democratic House primary". providencejournal.com. The Providence Journal. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ↑ Conley, Morgan (March 9, 2017). "Shots Fired: Rhode Island Statehouse is Full of Drunk Legislators Doing Shots says a Newly Elected Lawmaker". Vice News. New York, New York. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- ↑ Binckes, Jeremy (March 8, 2017). "Animal House: Rhode Island". Salon. San Francisco, California. Retrieved March 11, 2017.