Donato Wins State Rep. Primary For 35th Middlesex District

MEDFORD, MA — Incumbent Paul Donato has won the Democratic primary for state representative in the 35th Middlesex District.

Donato received 5,221 votes to challenger Nichole Mossalam's 4,149, according to the unofficial results. He was carried by Medford, which makes up the bulk of the district, and where he received 57 percent of the vote to Mossalam's 40 percent.

Mossalam won Malden's four precincts, receiving 1,495 votes to Donato's 1,394.

Donato, a Medford native, has represented Medford and Malden for nearly 20 years. He previously served as a Medford city councilor and member of the School Committee. Mossalam, of Malden, is the director of the Islamic Cultural Center of Medford and previously headed up the Malden Islamic Center. She is also the chair of the Malden Disability Commission.

There are no Republican candidates for the seat, meaning Donato has effectively won re-election.

Here are the early primary results in the 35th Middlesex District.

Democratic Primary

• Paul Donato (incumbent) - 5,221
• Nichole Mossalam - 4,149