Moira Walsh


Moira Walsh is an American activist and politician who currently represents the 3rd district in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Walsh is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life

Walsh was born August 23, 1990. She was raised in Smith Hill and attended Classical High School, a public magnet school in Providence. After high school, she became a waitress. In 2014, she became involved with the Restaurant Opportunities Center after a coworker brought her to an organizing meeting and became involved in the movement to increase the tipped worker minimum wage from $2.89 per hour to $3.89 per hour. During this period, she also attended Rhode Island College and Community College of Rhode Island.

Rhode Island House of Representatives

Election

;2016
Walsh chose to run against incumbent Democrat Thomas Palangio after speaking with the Rhode Island state chapter of Jobs with Justice. During the election, she was endorsed by the Working Families Party. She defeated Palangio, 51.80% to 48.20%, in the Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election.
;2018
Walsh drew national attention when she and three other incumbent legislators did not receive the endorsement of the Rhode Island Democratic Party. The Party initially endorsed her primary challenger, Michael Earnheart, who was revealed to have supported Republican Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. They later withdrew the endorsement of Earnheart and decided to not endorse either candidate. Walsh received the endorsement of Congressman David Cicilline, who represents Rhode Island's 1st congressional district. Walsh went on to win the 2018 Democratic Primary against Earnheart. Walsh received 55% of the vote while Earnheart got 45%. Walsh ran unopposed in the 2018 general election.

Tenure

Walsh was sworn into office on January 3, 2017. She was assigned to the Committee on Health, Education and Welfare and Committee on Veterans' Affairs. She has made improving working conditions for tipped workers as key part of her legislative agenda. She has also advocated for the liberalization of drug laws. In March 2017, her criticism of legislators consuming alcohol on the House floor during session made national headlines.

Committee Assignments

For the 2017 legislative session Walsh served on the following committees: