Kate Donaghue: 2022 State Representative Candidate Profile

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Democrat Kate Donaghue is one of two candidates on the general election ballot this year in the newly-formed 19th Worcester State House of Representatives district.

She is facing Republican Jonathan Hostage in the district, which includes all of Southborough and parts of Westborough, Northborough and Framingham.

Donaghue spent most of her career working in software development prior to her retirement in 2019. Within that, she spent 10 years of her career as vice president of the Framingham-based TCN.

Donaghue holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in medical technology, as well as a master’s degree in computer science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She is also a former member of the Westborough Open Space Preservation Committee.

The 19th Worcester District was created through recent state legislature redistricting following the 2020 census.

Patch sent candidate questionnaires to each of the candidates running in this year's 19th Worcester District House of Representatives race.

Here's how Donaghue responded:

Campaign website

www.katedonaghue.org

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’m running for State Representative to make a difference on issues that impact my neighbors. For almost 50 years, I have been an active member of the Westborough community.

As a mother to a son who died of an overdose, and a caregiving spouse who recently lost my husband to cancer, I have experience and insights into the challenges with our healthcare system that plague too many families in Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, and Framingham.

I intend to use my voice to fight for our communities on healthcare, tackling climate change, and supporting public education.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There are many issues confronting families in Framingham, Westborough, Northborough, and Southborough, but I would cite family caregiving as a particular challenge confronting many families in a number of ways. Whether it is caring for our seniors as we age, providing adequate child care to keep our kids safe and enable parents to go to work, or supporting loved ones struggling with addiction, family caregiving is a common theme I hear as I talk to our neighbors at their doors. I intend to use my personal experience as a mother who lost a son to addiction, and a caregiving spouse who spent countless hours on the phone with insurance companies while caring for my husband before he passed away, to ensure that our policy making in healthcare, economic development, and infrastructure investment reflect these growing needs.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I'm running a positive campaign focused on the issues I know are important to families in the district. What I bring to the role will be my lifetime of volunteering and advocacy, and my experience bringing the concerns of neighbors before policymakers. I am committed to addressing the challenges in our health care system, protecting a woman's right to choose, supporting our K-12 schools, and tackling climate change.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As your next State Representative, I will:

• Work to improve our healthcare system, with a focus on substance use disorder and supporting family caregivers.
• Fight climate change and protect our environment. Massachusetts must be a leader as long as the federal government fails to take action.
• Support public education, including universal Pre-K. Our public schools are the cornerstones of our communities.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have a record of success in a range of areas. I've protected public lands to preserve open space and protect our environment, and I've been a business leader as Vice President of a regional employer bringing jobs and revenue to our area. What I am most proud of is having brought families and advocates to Beacon Hill to speak on the experiences of families that have struggled with substance use disorder; it is a deeply personal matter for so many families, and it is important to have their – our – voices heard in the policymaking process.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I have a record of success in a range of areas. I've protected public lands to preserve open space and protect our environment, and I've been a business leader as Vice President of a regional employer bringing jobs and revenue to our area. What I am most proud of is having brought families and advocates to Beacon Hill to speak on the experiences of families that have struggled with substance use disorder; it is a deeply personal matter for so many families, and it is important to have their – our – voices heard in the policymaking process.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Just as I'm committed to walking our neighborhoods and knocking on doors of residents across Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, and Framingham during the campaign, I plan to be a full time State Representative who is accessible to residents of our district. I pledge to be a Representative who listens, who is available, and who will use my voice to speak for my neighbors on Beacon Hill.