Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 16, 2026 DEBATE | FROM PAGE 1 er John Deaton in the one-andonly debate scheduled before the November general election. Both candidates used some familiar talking points for this particular election, with Markey calling Deaton a future rubber stamp for President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda if elected and Deaton questioning whether Markey would be able to serve out his full six-year term if he is victorious. Markey, who turned 80 on the campaign trail this past summer, was strongly challenged on his age by his former Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, who made it a focal issue of his run. Markey would be 86 years old at the end of the six-year term he seeks on Nov. 3. Voters apparently did not buy Moulton’s argument on age in September, as the Malden native crushed Moulton, 65%35%, in the primary, advancing to face Deaton in the November election. Markey went right for the partisan jugular in Tuesday’s debate, linking Deaton with President Trump in his very first statement and then continuing it throughout, invoking Trump’s name nearly 40 times by count, in the course of the 60-minute debate. Deaton is in a Senate race for a second time as a Republican challenger — falling to the other Mass. Senator, Elizabeth Warren, in 2024 — but consistently has shunned the label as a Trump/ MAGA backer. “I’m the one that is debating you, not Donald Trump,” Deaton said at Tuesday’s debate, hosted by WBZ-TV, after one of Markey’s statements attempting to link Deaton to the President. “You know I never voted for President Trump.” Deaton dismissed Markey’s nearly 50-year record in Washington and questioned whether he would be able to serve another six years in office. Markey, in the campaign against Moulton, continually brushed aside references to his age and longevity, saying he has more energy and motivation now than even at other points in his life. In one of his first statements at Tuesday’s debate, Markey made the Deaton-Trump connection reference. “He [Deaton] is going to Washington to be a blank check for Donald Trump. He’ll continue the majority for the Republicans,” Markey asserted. Throughout the debate Deaton, an attorney and former U.S. Marine, 59, continued to disavow the party label and pushed back that he had his own brand of political motivation. “The Democrats are going to win the House, and the Democrats are going to win the Senate,” Deaton said. “You have a chance to send a nonpartisan person like me, who will really put America first and decide, ‘Is it good for Massachusetts and America?’ And if it is, I’ll support it.” “He’s trying to pretend that he’s an independent and that he’s a Republican at the same time. That’s an oxymoron,” said Markey. “It’s like trying to be a carnivorous vegetarian,” the Senator quipped. On Markey’s longevity, Deaton predicted the Senator has “run out of time to get his priorities accomplished.” “Senator Markey will be ignored. He’ll be relegated to the corner of the Senate with his little slogans,” Deaton said. “Even with his party in control, he’s never going to be heard from again — if you make it that long.” *** In the November 3 general election, the polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Malden and in every community across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Early voting and mailin balloting has also been going on this month. Longtime school paraprofessional retires Special to The Advocate M ayor Gary Christenson recently thanked Malden Public Schools Paraprofessional Margie Drummey for her 20 years of assisting Ferryway kindergartners. Margie has been an invaluable member of the Ferryway team and will be remembered for making a difference in the lives of so many students. Mayor Christenson presented Margie with a citation and wished her all the best in her retirement. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 orInfo@advocatenews.net Margie Drummey and Mayor Gary Christenson (Courtesy photo) Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured Everett Aluminum Supplies Celebrating 67 Years in Business Since 1958! ws
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