Donaghue To Seek 19th Worcester, Framingham's New District

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The newly created 19th Worcester state House district has its first ever candidate.

Westborough's Kate Donaghue on Jan. 7 formally organized a campaign committee and officially announced her run on Thursday. The longtime Democratic activist said public health will be a main focus — her son, Brian, died of an opioid overdose in 2018, and her husband, Kimball, died of cancer late in 2021.

Donaghue also said she'll focus on education and the environment, items she's worked on as a member of the Westborough Open Space Committee and the state Family Advisory Council.

"I'm running for State Representative to make a difference on issues that impact my neighbors," she said in a news release. "For almost 50 years, I have been an active member of the Westborough community. As a mother to a son who died of an overdose, and a caregiving spouse who recently lost my husband to cancer, I have experience and insights into the challenges with our healthcare system that plague too many families in Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, and Framingham."

Lawmakers created the 19th Worcester district following the release of 2020 Census figures. Following the upcoming November election, Framingham will have four members in the state House including the 19th Worcester district: the 4th Middlesex District held by state Rep. Danielle Gregoire, state Rep. Jack Lewis' 7th Middlesex District and the 6th Middlesex District, which state Rep. Maria Robinson is expected to give up for a role at the U.S. Department of Energy.

The 19th Worcester District mostly encompasses Westborough, Southborough and Northborough, but includes the portion of Framingham along the Southborough line between approximately Edmands Road and Route 30.