Representative Tom Stanley announces he will not seek reelection to Waltham City Council

After serving the Waltham City Council for more than 20 years, Thomas M. Stanley, an at-large city councilor and state representative for the 9th Middlesex District, announced on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election for his city seat.

In a message to Waltham residents, Stanley cited budget concerns looming over the state as his reason for not seeking re-election, noting the impact of federal budget cuts to vital agencies, programs and services in Massachusetts.

“In order to meet these challenges, I have decided that I would be most effective concentrating on my legislative work at the State House for the next two critical years. Not campaigning for or serving on the City Council would free up time to increase my attention toward the budget crisis we are all about to face,” Stanley said in the message.

Stanley is chairperson of the Committee on Aging and Independence and raised concerns that proposed cuts to Medicaid and the Department of Health and Human Services could have “catastrophic consequences for Massachusetts seniors and vulnerable residents.”

Despite his lawmaking work continuing only at the state level, Stanley said he looks forward to working hand in hand with the City of Waltham and maintaining his strong relationship with the city’s government.

“As a state representative, I will of course continue to work in close contact with our Mayor and City Council on pertinent issues. That will not change,” Stanley said.