Photo courtesy City of Boston.
Following Representative Niki Tsongas’ announcement that she is retiring at the end of her term, several public figures have been mentioned as potential replacements for the Boston-area seat.
Many insiders mention Daniel Koh, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh’s chief of staff, as a likely candidate in the upcoming Democratic primary. The Andover native and Harvard alum has long been suspected of eyeing a congressional run.
The 32-year-old recently commented on his plans to run for federal office: “I’d be disingenuous if I said I never thought about it.”
Mayor Walsh explained he and Koh have grown close as a team during his term for the better. “We’ve really learned off each other. I’m certainly more analytical now… [Koh] has picked up a lot of my passion for politics.”
Real victories in the political arena, according to Koh, are assisting constituents. He says helping a Roxbury senior citizen fix a ramp was his most gratifying accomplishment of his career. Koh has also played a critical hand in streamlining city permits, overhauling the Cabinet structure, and helping close the deal on General Electric’s recent decision to relocate to Boston.
Asked to comment on Koh and the open congressional seat, City Hall spokeswoman Laura Oggeri declined to comment.
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