Snowstorm Did Not Stop Walker's Campaign Kickoff Event

Submitted by Gloria VanBuskirk

Despite the sudden impact of the season’s most severe winter storm, Brett Walker’s state representative campaign kick-off party drew more than 70 people on Friday night.

Heavy snow fall throughout the day on Friday prompted school closures, loss of electricity, road blocks for downed trees and the accumulation of more than 7 inches of snow.

Nevertheless, a sizeable group gathered at John Harvard’s Brewery & Ale House in Framingham in support of Brett Walker’s candidacy for the State Representative of the 7th Middlesex District; many others sent correspondence stating their desire to attend, but their inability to do so because of road conditions.

“This storm may have been a great blessing in disguise,” said Brett Walker – candidate for State Representative for the 7th Middlesex District which covers Ashland and one-third of Framingham. “We were crowded pretty tight in that function room and we ran out of food as it was. Even with the bad weather, a lot more people attended than we anticipated.”

Dinner and brewery tours were provided compliments of the Committee to Elect Brett Walker.

There was also a children’s activity area featuring supervised games, drawing, and Play-Doh stations. Approximately ten children participated.

“The party itself also highlighted what a family man Brett is and demonstrated his drive to work for a better future,” said Kim Hokanson, a volunteer policy-advisor on Walker’s campaign committee. “The kids were as much a part of the event as everyone else.”

The event was advertised as a campaign kick-off party.

True to the theme, the formal remarks from Walker and two women from his campaign committee focused on opportunities to participate in the novel and exciting campaign that lies ahead. Walker invited attendees to join him in traditional campaign practices like canvassing neighborhoods as well as some less traditional practices such as walking from one end of the district to the other.

“With a name like ‘Walker’ and a background in the light infantry, I have to do at least one walking-themed event,” said Walker.

Walker promised the attendees that he will exercise his “unique worldly perspective and problem-solving skills” to reinvent the role of a state representative.

“I will be a legislator; yes,” said Walker. “But I will also be more than that. I will be an advocate, a mediator, a problem-solver and a leader. Not all problems are solved by money and statutes.”

Dan Costello, a student at Framingham State University and Walker’s campaign manager tracked the attendance numbers and distributed swag, including “Brett Walker – Courage, Character, Commitment” beer cozies.

“We had quite a successful event . . . Brett’s energy and enthusiasm radiated in the room as we move forward to the campaign ahead,” said Costello. According to Costello, more information about the campaign can be found at the campaign website: www.ElectBrett.us.

The Committee to Elect Brett Walker reports that as the snow storm intensified throughout the day on Fridaypeople inquired if the event would still take place. Walker’s response to all the inquiring parties via email read, “My committee and I intend to go forward with the Campaign Kick-Off Party.” Walker then listed five reasons why he will not cancel the event. Reason number one listed in the email: “I am NOT a quitter.”

Gloria VanBuskirk is the Chair of the Committee to Elect Brett Walker and a resident of Ashland. For more information about Brett Walker and his campaign, please visit the website at www.ElectBrett.us or send an email to ElectBrett2016@Gmail.com.