Malden School Committee Member Making Mayoral Run

The candidate is launching her first mayoral campaign after nine years on the School Committee.

Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Posted Mon, May 4, 2026 at 3:35 pm ET|Updated Mon, May 4, 2026 at 3:40 pm ET

MALDEN, MA — A School Committee member announced she is making a run for Mayor in 2027.

Jenn Spadafora was first elected to represent Ward 3 on the School Committee in 2017 and has since been re-elected four additional consecutive times. She is credited with being a driving force behind the appointment of two Superintendents of Schools in the past five years, including current Superintendent Dr. Timothy Sippel. Spadafora is also the Chair of the School Committee’s Negotiations Subcommittee, which handles contracts and compensation for district employees.

“I am running for Mayor because I believe Malden deserves leadership that is present, honest, and responsive. I have heard directly from residents who feel disconnected from City Hall and frustrated by a lack of clarity around key decisions,” Spadafora said in a statement. “I am committed to changing that by building a culture of openness, collaboration, and trust. My campaign is focused on uniting the community, strengthening fiscal responsibility, and ensuring every resident feels informed, respected, and heard.”

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In early March, Spadafora stepped down from her position as Vice Chair of the School Committee, which she was re-appointed to by her peers in January. The Spadafora name is one well-known to Malden, as the family has an extensive local government and business history in the city. Spadafora joined a family with multiple former State Reps, City Councilors, School Committee members, and police commissioners when she married Anthony Spadafora. The mother of three is running against current Councilor-at-Large Karen Colón Hayes. Incumbent Gary Christenson has not yet announced if he plans to run for reelection when his current term expires in 2027.

“Jenn (Spadafora) is a dedicated public servant, parent, and community advocate who has built her career around standing up for Malden residents and making local government more transparent and accessible,” Jenn Spadafora’s campaign said in a statement. “Jenn believes that local government should work for the people it serves. She is ready to lead with integrity, accountability, and a deep commitment to the community she calls home.”