Ashland Attorney Seeking Sannicandro Seat

Ashland resident Brett Walker announced he is running for the Democratic nomination for State Representative from the 7th Middlesex District.

Walker, an attorney, is the fourth candidate to declare his interest in the seat currently held by State Rep. Tom Sannicandro.

Sannicandro, Democrat from Ashland, announced in November that he would not seek re-election this year after serving the district for over a decade.

The 7th Middlesex District includes Ashland and a third of Framingham’s 18 precincts (8, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18).

Walker, also a Major in the Army National Guard, said he is a a strong leader with experience leading soldiers in combat, local committees and political organizations.

In a press release, he said he offers the people of Ashland and Framingham extensive expertise in the fields of criminal justice reform, substance abuse policy, veteran advocacy and community collaboration.

“I am running as a person with a unique perspective on some of today’s most critical issues,” said Walker. “This campaign will be about passion and plans. I’ve got them both. I will employ that passion and those plans to advocate for the people of Ashland and Framingham as an advocate, a leader, and a liaison. As State Representative, I will create the connections people need to live happy, safe and productive lives in Massachusetts.”

Walker currently works as a prosecutor where he focuses on counter­narcotic cases. As a result of his involvement with narcotic intervention and deterrence, Walker is knowledgeable on the causes of drug dependence and opioid abuse, as well as the best methods of addressing them.

He is also a founding member of a specialty court in Boston focused on the rehabilitation of military veterans.

The military community is of great importance to Walker who attended the United States Military Academy and served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army before transitioning to the Massachusetts Army National Guard where he continues to serve. He deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq, and also served in Germany and Paraguay.

Community involvement is a defining aspect of Walker’s life. He is the Chair of the the Ashland Democratic Town Committee. In recent years he has served on many volunteer boards and committees ranging from a rugby club executive board to municipal policy boards to his church’s board of deacons.

“A good leader is flexible,” said Walker. “A good leader is a person familiar with many different techniques for pursuing goals and is always capable of adapting based on the situation. It is clear from my resume that I am a dynamic person with a wide field of abilities and experiences.”

Walker’s involvement with government administration demonstrates that dynamism. It spans from serving as an appointed mentor to the newly reconstituted Baghdad municipal government to being a Rappaport Fellow in Law and Public Policy.

Walker is married to elementary school teacher Amanda Walker. They have two children ages 3 & 6.

The Democratic primary is scheduled for Sept 8, with the general election taking place on November 8.

Republican and former Ashland Selectman Jon Fetherston was the first to announce his candidacy, after Sannicanndro announced he would not seek re-election.

Democrat and former Ashland Selectman Phil Jack has also announced his campaign.

Yesterday, Jan. 19, Framingham resident Jack Patrick Lewis, the Executive Director of Out MetroWest, announced his campaign for the seat.

For more information on Walker’s campaign, please email ElectBrett2016@Gmail.com.