During his campaign, Silva emphasized Harrison's absentee record and his opposition to cutting the number of representatives in the Massachusetts House from 240 to 160, a proposal that Gloucester voters overwhelmingly supported.

[4] During his tenure, Silva including established and chaired of the New England Committee for the 200-mile limit, filed legislation which established two ocean sanctuaries, filed legislation for the development of Gloucester Harbor, co-sponsored the "Bottle Bill," proposed the Commonwealth obtain a decommissioned US Navy ship and convert it into a minimum security prison, and introduced a bill that would make the Right whale Massachusetts' official marine mammal.

[2][5][6] While serving in the House, Silva was a director of the Gloucester Little League, Addison Gilbert Hospital, and Sawyer Free Library.

During his tenure he budgeted funds for the refurbishment of Newell Stadium and reached a deal to the keep the National Marine Fisheries Service office in Gloucester.

[2] After leaving office, Silva served chairman of the Gloucester Fisheries Commission, was a director of the Sawyer Free Library, and was appointed by the Speaker of the House to study hazardous waste facing the shellfish industry.