Meet Salem City Council Candidate Chris Malstrom

SALEM, MA — Former Salem Democratic Committee chairperson and vice chair of the city's Affordable Housing Trust Fund Chris Malstrom is one of three candidates running to replace outgoing Ward 1 Councilor Robert McCarthy on the City Council this fall.

The open Ward 1 seat — which McCarthy said in May he was not running for re-election for after serving as acting mayor for five months pending the special election earlier this year — is the only office requiring a preliminary election in September.

Armand Blanchette and Cynthia Jerzylo are the other two candidates vying for the two-year term. The top two vote-getters on Sept. 19 will advance to the citywide general election in November.

Patch reached out to all three candidates in the contested election with Malstrom saying that affordable housing and constituent services will be among his primary focuses should he be able to represent Ward 1.

"I love Salem, and was fortunate that when me and my partner moved here we were able to find a condo that I love and that was affordable," Malstrom said. "But if I wanted to move to Salem now I wouldn't be able to afford to buy a place. I wouldn't even be able to say confidently that I would be able to afford to rent a place."

Malstrom, who works as a private chef, said affordable housing is a prevalent concern of those in the city's booming service industry.

"Renters look at Salem as a place that has a lot of jobs but not a lot of places where people in that industry can stay and live anymore," Malstrom said.

He said his job gives him the flexibility to put in the time required to serve his Derby Street neighborhood and the rest of Ward 1 ahead of major projects involving Offshore Wind and Shetland Park. He has also served as the communication director for Historic Derby Street.

"I feel it's really important with someone as important as Bob stepping down we have someone willing to step up with the time and effort that is required," he said. "My biggest priority will be being a voice for the ward and someone who is willing and able to respond to constituent concerns.

"We have an incredibly diverse ward that includes so many people with different perspectives and lifestyles that live in it and we need someone who is invested and willing to listen to all perspectives."

More on Malstrom's candidacy and positions on issues can be found on his campaign website here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)