Six years ago, with experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, I decided to run for elected office to represent the citizens of Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland in the Massachusetts legislature. Public service is my passion. I want to enhance the public’s trust in elected officials and government. I want to use my abilities to strengthen our economy, help create new jobs, and preserve the American dream for generations to come.
Earlier this year, I entered the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate for these same reasons, confident that my broad background prepared me for all aspects of this job, certain that I could better represent the values and aspirations of Massachusetts voters than a conservative Republican, and sure that I could offer practical solutions to the economic challenges facing the people of Massachusetts and our great nation.
Indeed, I have offered a five-point jobs plan that would put people back to work and strengthen our economy by investing in infrastructure, creating clean energy jobs, and bringing the high tech and manufacturing industries together. Scott Brown has not offered any jobs plan.
The Campaign
As you may know, I spent this past summer walking 650 miles throughout the great state of Massachusetts, talking with thousands of voters, learning about their challenges and their hopes. I began “traditional campaigning” in September, just as Elizabeth Warren entered the race.
Through October and November, I delivered a strong and clear message about who I am, why I was running, and why I could win. I continued to learn about the concerns and hopes of voters throughout Massachusetts. Your stories, ideas and suggestions inspired me. Your generous contributions of time, talent and treasure empowered our team to continue efforts to win back the US Senate seat for the future of Massachusetts.
However, after much reflection, it is clear that, while support for my candidacy has been generous, we could not run the kind of campaign we needed to run throughout next year.
With deep gratitude and a still strong commitment to a winning path forward for all, I am withdrawing from the race for U.S. Senate.
Thank you
I would like to thank all those who supported me throughout my candidacy: donors, campaign staff, volunteers, friends, and family. Your contributions gave life to this campaign. Your encouragement provided me energy. Your wisdom gave this campaign strength. And I want to thank particularly the campaign team that dedicated so much of their time, enthusiasm, intellect and faith in me. I am forever grateful and indebted to all of you.
Next Steps
I remain a dedicated public servant, honored and privileged to represent the 40,000 people of Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland. I will continue to serve my third term through the end of 2012. As in the past, my focus will be on helping citizens in the district obtain assistance from their state government, introducing and supporting bills that constituents would like to become laws, voting in the interests of Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland, and offering leadership by example. I will continue working to implement ideas from my recent jobs plan. As vice-chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, I will also be working to lower health care costs and improve the quality of health care services. There is an enormous amount of work to be done right here in Massachusetts, and that will be my focus going forward.
I will seek re-election as state representative in the newly configured 13th Middlesex district. My passion for public service remains strong and true. It is the motivating force in my professional life and I hope to continue serving the people of this great Commonwealth in the years to come.
I already face competition in this race for re-election, and I ask for your support in my effort, so that I may continue to serve you, all the people of the 13th Middlesex district, and the citizens of our Commonwealth. www.reptomconroy.org
Again, I am very grateful for your help this year, and hope we can continue to work together in the years to come.
Cheers,
Tom