Senate Candidate's Walking Tour Stops In Tewksbury

Tom Conroy walked into  on early Wednesday afternoon. With sweat running down his face, he introduced himself to Christopher Jenkins, the only constituent there to greet him.

A democratic candidate vying for Scott Brown's senate seat in the 2012 election, Conroy is walking across Massachusetts in an attempt to meet as many voters as possible. He started on July 2, from his home in Wayland and plans to walk to town-to-town throughout the state before September. 

Wednesday marked the completion of his 530th mile. He started off in North Andover and ended his day in Lowell. Conroy will end his walk on the Boston Common in early September.

He isn't followed by an entourage, but instead by an intern, Drew Kirstein, who carries a backpack and helps him along the way of his route.

Despite the low attendance at Wednesday's lunch, Conroy is excited to be walking across the state.

Conroy said that even when not many people show up, a lot of time goes into making phone calls. Even though people couldn't make it, it's possible he is now on their radar. 

"This is a tough time of the year, we sort of expected that a lot of people are on vacation," Conroy said. "It's a type of campaigning that is a worthwhile thing to do as I learn about the state."

Currently, Conroy is the state representative for Middlesex's 13th District in Massachusetts. He represents Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland.

"He wanted to do it on his own," said Dan Minty of the 600-mile walk Conroy began on July 2. Minty is another intern, out of eight, who is helping Conroy with his campaign.

"Some people are worried it's a gimmick," Minty said, "but, he's doing it from the heart."

Conroy said the most interesting part about his walk is that he gets to learn about what people in the Commonwealth are worried about. 

The biggest worry on everybody's mind, he said, is the economy and job growth. 

"I've heard this from folks along the whole walk and I believe it myself. We're spending a lot of money on Iraq and Afghanistan and on military bases all around the world," Conroy said. "We have to bring that money home and invest it here in our infrastructure."