Speaking between bites of a Moose Tracks ice cream cone at Kool Kone on Saturday afternoon, U.S. Senate hopeful Tom Conroy spoke of his run for Senator Scott Brown's seat, his 600-mile trek across Massachusetts, and his priorities if elected.

The 49-year-old Wayland resident is one of a handful of Democrats vying for Brown's (R-Mass.) seat, which is up in 2012. The Democratic primary will be held Sept. 18, 2012.

"I think I have a lot to offer," said Conroy, who currently serves as state representative for the 13th Middlesex district, which includes Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland. "To me, it's about service ... [and] helping others."

A Massachusetts resident since 1995, Conroy spent 16 years working at small and large businesses across the state and has experience working with nonprofits. He says he blends business and governmental experience like few others.

Conroy began his walk across Massachusetts from his Wayland home in early July. He has stopped by restaurants, businesses, and events to chat with residents. He returns to the State House by car when he needs to work and then continues the walk from where he left off.

Conroy said some politicians are not focused on the "priorities of the people." The trip is an effort to get to know "real people" and "what their priorities are," he said.

Conroy broke the 400-mile mark last weekend, which brought him through Marion and Mattapoisett and to Marion Road here in Wareham for an ice cream break at Kool Kone.

Conroy estimates he's spoken to nearly 1,600 people about everything from the nation's debt problems to the increasing cost of higher education to unemployment. He's been staying with friends or renting rooms along the way.

"I met a whole bunch of 50-somethings who are out of work, struggling day-to-day to pay the bills," Conroy said. He says a top priority of his is to contribute to the rebuilding of the economy and create middle-class jobs.

During the walk, Conroy said he's noticed first-hand the state's "crumbling infrastructure."

"You notice things when you're walking that you don't when you're driving," he explained, adding that Massachusetts has "tens of billions of dollars" of infrastructure needs, such as repairs to bridges. He said he will work to secure funding for that cause if elected.

Conroy is no stranger to miles-long excursions in his political campaigns.

"When I ran for state representative I literally ran," Conroy said. He ran to 4,000 homes and covered 300 miles to speak to voters.

Though some have likened Conroy's walk across Massachusetts to Brown's trip in his pick-up truck, Conroy said he got the idea from former U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles, a Democrat from Florida who walked across that state in three months to a successful election to the Senate.

The walk has been "a very grounding experience," Conroy said. "It's been fun!"

Conroy is the father of 15-year-old triplets Madeline, Cashen, and Emma and 10-year-old Sophia. He will end his walk with a celebration at the Boston Common on Sept. 3 at 12 p.m., the date of his 17th wedding anniversary with his wife, Sarah Sewall. The public is invited to attend.

Conroy's walk continues. It can be tracked on his website, www.tomconroy.org.