US Senate Hopeful Conroy Hits Dedham

State representative Tom Conroy showed Dedham residents he could walk the walk Saturday afternoon.

Conroy brought his "Walk With Tom" tour to Dedham Square to share his goals and aspirations as he begins his campaign for a U.S. Senate seat.

Elections to the U.S. Senate will take place Nov. 6, 2012, but Conroy has engaged Massachusetts communities by taking his message to the streets this summer. Conroy so far has spent 26 days visiting towns and cities across Massachusetts, starting with his hometown of Wayland.

"I want to be the people's voice in Washington," Conroy said. "That is what this walk is all about."

Conroy announced his candidacy last month, joining the pool of Democratic candidates vying for Republican Scott Brown's Senate seat. The Wayland resident earned his first State House term in 2006. 

Conroy said his campaign has helped him reach more than 1,200 people in Massachusetts. The Wayland resident has traveled roughly 300 miles, and will finish the walk in Boston on Sept. 3.

Conroy visited the Square's landmarks while speaking with local business owners. The Senate candidate acknowledged he wanted to see how Dedham business owners operated and thrived in the Square during his visit.  

"I was impressed with his 600-mile walk across the state," owner Peter H. Reynolds said. "It's an honor to have him in Dedham Square."

Conroy's campaign emphasizes solutions to America's job crisis. Conroy has earned support for his efforts by focusing on job creation, investing in local communities and providing people with a voice in the government.

Volunteers and interns have supported Conroy in his walk, providing support as he faces a long campaign drive.

"Seeing different parts of Massachusetts and the people who make up Massachusetts has been really interesting," Conroy campaign intern Ariana Gunderson said.

Gunderson, a Sudbury resident, said she has supported Conroy since he first ran for the House five years ago. Gunderson's mother, Robyn, helped Conroy plan his summer walking tour of Massachusetts.

"We're a Conroy family," Gunderson said. 

Conroy said their efforts will continue Monday as the group continues its journey across the Commonwealth. The Senate candidate emphasized he feels he has the right experience to get the job done for Bay State citizens.

"I'm the right guy," Conroy said. "I feel I have the best experience. No one's going to work harder."