Medford, Malden State Rep. Paul Donato Running For Re-Election

MEDFORD, MA — Longtime state representative Paul Donato is running for re-election this year, he announced Monday.

Donato, first elected to the Legislature in 2000, represents Medford and Malden in the 35th Middlesex District. He has served in numerous leadership roles over the past two decades and currently is the assistant vice chairman of the Ways & Means Committee, the top committee assignment in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Read Donato's campaign announcement below:

"Again I have been honored to serve the people of Medford and Malden over the last 20 years, and I am invigorated by their continued support and confidence in me, fighting for our many diverse priorities, concerns, and issues of importance. I have been inundated by so many of my constituents urging me to run for another term in office, and I am flattered and humbled by such a strong show of support in my record of achievement and constituent service. I am bolstered by this support, and today I enthusiastically announce my campaign for re-election as your state representative for my Medford and Malden communities.

As a child, I grew up in foster care at the Nazareth Home for Catholic Children, and then moved to a foster home in Medford. I immediately found a community in Medford that I felt was home, that I wanted to be a part, and strongly wanted to give back. To me, there’s no better place in the world! I’ve said this many times and it remains as true today; I am as energized and committed as my first day in office, and I’ll continue to work hard every day, representing your interests at the Massachusetts State House. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ll fight to ensure that all individuals, working families, and small businesses receive the resources necessary to get back on their feet and see our impacted community return to normalcy."

Donato has had a hand in historic and precedent-setting legislation on education, family rights, climate change and an overhaul of public health and mental health safety nets. He has worked to empower disenfranchised and marginalized communities and was instrumental in the ballot placement of the Fair Share Amendment, which provided critical resources to the state's education and transportation infrastructure, according to a statement from his campaign.

"The best part of my job is connecting with new people every day and figuring out how I can best help their lives," Donato said. "This is what I want to do for another two years. I hope you'll join me!"