Boston Mayor Marty Walsh set an emotional tone as he delivered his state of the city address from an empty library in Roxbury yesterday, praising Boston’s resiliency in the face of COVID-19 and reflecting on his personal attachment to the city he has run for seven years. This was likely Walsh's final address as mayor, following president-elect Joe Biden's announcement last week tapping Walsh as his nominee for Secretary of Labor.

“This is the city that welcomed my immigrant parents,” Walsh said in his speech. “This is the city that picked me up when I needed second chances. We have faced down big challenges together, just as we are doing with COVID. We have always prevailed, and we’re not about to give up now.”

Peter Kadzis, GBH News political analyst, joined host Joe Mathieu on GBH's Morning Edition to reflect on Walsh's legacy and discuss his expected move to Washington.

Watch: Kadzis on the emotion behind Walsh's state of the city address

The announcement from the Biden administration came as a surprise for some in Boston, as ongoing fundraising efforts suggested that Walsh would seek another term as mayor this November. But Kadzis says that he wasn’t surprised, given Walsh’s growth during his time leading the city. “Marty Walsh has learned a lot in seven years and he has become a much more skillful politician than he was when he walked in the door,” Kadzis said. “Growth is an interesting thing in politics. We all expect it; we rarely see it."

Walsh kept the rumors that he would take a post in Washington at bay for many months — which was a smart move, according to Kadzis. “I think Walsh wanted this job so dearly that he used his now clearly political skills to just will away the rumors,” Kadzis said. “He convinced everyone that he was staying. That was a smart thing to do, because it’s not his choice to go there; it’s Joe Biden’s choice.”

Amid record unemployment and a historic economic crisis, Walsh would step into the Secretary of Labor job at a critical time, but Kadzis believes he’s up for the challenge. “He gets to play urban statesman, labor statesman. I think he’ll enjoy that," Kadzis said. "Let’s not forget, he labored for years away from cameras as a labor leader. In some ways, he's returning to his roots here."

Watch: Is Kadzis surprised Walsh is going to Washington?

If Walsh is confirmed and departs for Washington, as is expected, City Council president Kim Janey would assume the role of acting mayor, putting her in a powerful position if she decides to run for a permanent post in November's election.

"Janey may have a smaller base in Roxbury [and] may not be as well known, but she will have the power of the incumbency,” Kadzis said. "Every single day — or two or three times a week — she'll be standing in front of the cameras and giving the COVID report. That's a very powerful and convenient platform."