Labor Secretary Pick Walsh Is ‘Biden-esque’ Consensus-Builder

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s selection for labor secretary excites unions due to his organized labor roots, but his rise in politics demonstrates a knack for finding common ground with constituencies beyond his blue-collar base, including employers.

The two-term Democratic mayor’s origins as a Boston construction-union leader, friendship with President-elect Joe Biden, and history of advocating for working families as a state legislator helped make him Biden’s choice to helm the U.S. Labor Department. Yet Walsh’s personal background and governance style are also strikingly similar to the deal-making consensus-builder who could soon be his boss.

“He’s sort of Joe ...