Mike Walsh challenges Rep. Mike Rush on lack of accessibility to voters

July 7, 2010 in Rush Williams Walsh by Massachusetts Election 2010 | View Comments

Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh is a candidate for the State Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Marian Walsh. His competitor for the Democratic primary is Rep. Mike Rush. In a message to us, Mr. Walsh notes the Mike Rush’s campaign web site doesn’t list any contact info, and questions if Mike Rush will be similarly inaccessible as a senator. Mike Walsh’s message follows:

Reach out to the People who want to be your next state Senator?

In the Democratic Primary on Tuesday September 14,  two individuals are seeking to replace Marian Walsh as your next state senator.  Mike Rush, an incumbent state representative for West Roxbury, and Michael Walsh an attorney representing injured workers and their families for 22 years.

Most people are just now starting to take a closer look at whom they’ll be casting his or her vote for come election day.  But, it has become clearly apparent who wants to be in contact with the voters.  On Michael Walsh ‘s website (www.mwalsh.com ) Michael lists his address, campaign headquarters phone #, email address and his cell phone # for concerned voters to contact him.

A thorough search of Mike Rush’s website, (www.electmikerush.com) lists nothing.  No way to contact him, not even an email address or even campaign headquarters address.

How can anyone running for office not list any way to contact him?  How can voters who care about issues find out?  Why should any voter have to look to “find” those who want to serve the public?  Shouldn’t they be accessible to everyone?  Even via an email?  No wonder voters are frustrated by incumbents, all incumbents.  They don’t stay in touch with the voters.

Walsh stated “My job representing people requires me to stay in contact with them all the time or else I would be fired and that’s what I intend to stay doing, when elected.  Most people are surprised to reach me, but personal contact is what has made me successful. “    We tried reaching Mike Rush for a comment, but were unable to find a way to reach him except at the state house phone # and the use of that number (a state resource) would not be allowed under ethics rules for campaign issues.

Michael F. Walsh, Esq
Law Offices of Michael F. Walsh, PC
9 Westwood Terrace
Westwood, MA 02090

781-251-0100
Fax# 781-251-2266

mike@mfwalsh.com

I did a quick check of the various campaign web sites. Mike Walsh’ contact is prominently shown on his site. Brad Williams is a the Republican candidate for this seat. He has contact information on his web site:

1864 Centre Street
West Roxbury, MA 02132
617-477-8664

We searched Mike Rush’s campaign web site. Although the contact information is not listed prominently like on Mike Walsh’s or Brad William’s site, it is on the site under a ‘contact us’ link.:

Friends of Mike Rush
PO Box 320275
West Roxbury, Massachussetts 02132-0003

rush@electmikerush.com
617-327-2847

As a state Representative Mike Rush lists his statehouse contact information on his official legislature page:

Telephone: 617-722-2637
Email: Rep.MikeRush@hou.state.ma.us

Accessibility of legislators is a legitimate election issue. But the contact information is out there if you look for it. The question is, how accessible are these candidates really?

Does anyone have experience calling the campaign offices?

Update: Brad Williams has commented on this article.

 
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  • James Garcia

    The Williams campaign is responsive. The office information is displayed on the front page of the website. There is also a large contact button on the front page. My phone call was returned within 48 hours and my email was returned sooner. I would encourage any media member or voter to test this for themselves.

    This is a nice change from Michael Rush. He is notorious for poor response to voter concerns. As I recall, this was one of the reasons Pam Julian ran against him in the primary when he was a state rep. He only returns calls from his friends. Mike Walsh is just saying what everybody in West Roxbury who isn’t part of Rush’s circle of friends already knows. Fair play for pointing it out.

  • James Garcia

    The Williams campaign is responsive. The office information is displayed on the front page of the website. There is also a large contact button on the front page. My phone call was returned within 48 hours and my email was returned sooner. I would encourage any media member or voter to test this for themselves.

    This is a nice change from Michael Rush. He is notorious for poor response to voter concerns. As I recall, this was one of the reasons Pam Julian ran against him in the primary when he was a state rep. He only returns calls from his friends. Mike Walsh is just saying what everybody in West Roxbury who isn’t part of Rush’s circle of friends already knows. Fair play for pointing it out.

  • http://massachusetts-election-2010.com Massachusetts Election 2010

    Thanks for posting that. Insight from people in the district who actually have to deal with the candidates is invaluable. I hope more people post their experiences.

  • http://massachusetts-election-2010.com Massachusetts Election 2010

    Thanks for posting that. Insight from people in the district who actually have to deal with the candidates is invaluable. I hope more people post their experiences.

  • http://massachusetts-election-2010.com/2010/07/12/brad-williams-comments-on-rep-mike-rushs-lack-of-accessiblity/ Brad Williams Comments on Rep. Mike Rush’s Lack of Accessiblity « Massachusetts Election 2010

    [...] Walsh recently criticized Rep. Mike Rush’s lack of responsiveness. We contacted the other candidates in this race, Brad Williams and Mike Rush for their reaction. [...]

  • Harry33

    Williams office is responsive because they are lucky if they get 2 calls a day.
    Funny how Rush gets re-elected every 2 years by an overwhelming amount of the people in his district . It ain’t by luck. It is hard work and dedication to his district. Even a guy like Williams must know that.

    Unresponsive?? Please. WR has the most voter turnout in the city and is considered to have the smartest voters in the city. Very engaged in their politics. Who is Mike Walsh?

    You know he is a great rep when he is criticized by the right and the left at the same time.

    75% of the voters is a pretty big circle of friends don’t you think?

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