2nd Malden City Councilor Making Run For State Senate

MALDEN, MA — A second Malden City Councilor has announced a campaign for State Senate in the fifth Middlesex District.

Carey McDonald was first elected to an At-Large position on the Council in 2021. The Columbus, Ohio native earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Pomona College in California before getting acquainted with the Boston area to study Organizational Leadership at Wheelock College, located on Boston University’s campus.

“I went to inner city public schools, made it through college on a scholarship, and then went to night school while working full time to get my masters. I worked minimum wage jobs, starting at age 15. I struggled with student loans, and went without healthcare when we just couldn’t afford it,” McDonald said. “But my family taught me the importance of giving back to your community with whatever you have. I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today without supports like good public schools, a functioning student loan system, paid family leave, and a first time homebuyer program.”

McDonald’s political involvement dates back to their time as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives. If elected, McDonald said they aim to focus on the “big picture” and fix structural issues that negatively impact the middle class such as affordability of housing, clean energy, child care, and health care.

“The big picture means ensuring we don’t sacrifice decent jobs with benefits for the gig economy, or be replaced by AI. It means fixing the local budget crisis that is hollowing out our schools, parks, libraries and city services,’ McDonald said. “And it means protecting our neighbors whose civil rights are under assault because of their immigration status or their identity.”

McDonald named some of the most notable accomplishments throughout their five-year tenure on the Council as being a driving force behind the creation of the city’s Climate Action Plan, improving Malden’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and sponsored its Community Electricity program. McDonald is also the Chair of the Finance Committee.

“I became one of the first multiracial city-wide elected officials and have been a lifelong racial equity advocate. I’m also an out, non-binary transgender person who uses they/them pronouns. I became the first out transgender elected official in Malden history.”

McDonald lives in the city with their spouse, Sarah, and their two children. They are joining a race that includes fellow Malden City Councilor Ryan O’Malley and State Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose. All three of the candidates’ campaign announcements came on the heels of incumbent Jason Lewis announcing he will not be running for re-election. The fifth Middlesex District includes the communities of Melrose, Malden, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and Winchester. The state primary election is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 1.

See Also:

Protestors Gather Outside Of Congresswoman's Malden Office

Malden Salon Says Goodbye After 50 Years Of Styling

Override Fails: Malden Special Election

Malden Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Overtime Fraud Charge

Malden Teenager 1 Of 5 Juveniles Arrested At Panera Bread In Boston

New Principal Named For Malden High School

Malden City Councilor Announces State Senate Campaign

Malden Settles Multi-year Lawsuit With Construction Company

Malden Police Make Drug-related Arrest

Malden Teacher And Coach Charged With Rape Pleads Not Guilty