THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 23, 2026 ~ OP-ED ~ Page 9 Vote No on 3: Keep working people in office By Amanda Linehan President, Malden City Council n 2019, with the support of my friends and family and the idealism shared by so many firsttime candidates, I took the leap to run for political office in Malden, when my local City Council seat opened up. It was grueling: working all I day at my full-time job before grabbing a granola bar on my way out the door to canvass until dark, then coming home to read my 5-year-old a bedtime story, followed by staying up late to polish my stump speech and make fundraising calls. The to-do list was long and my sleep short, but it was worth it to join the Council as a working mom, backed by small grassroots donors, who understood the dayto-day life of my constituents who were also raising children, paying bills, commuting and caring for aging parents. I believe public service works best when elected officials represent their communities and share their lived experience. With better representation comes greater innovation and community engagement, and the kind of positive impact most of us hope to see when we enter politics. I have used my time to expand after-school programming, build more affordable housing, prevent MBTA bus cuts and create a new behavioral health center in our neighborhood. Unfortunately, a proposed ballot question before Massachusetts voters this Election Day could make it harder for firsttime candidates and their fresh ideas to make a run for office, by upending our existing primary system in favor of an expensive “top two” approach for state races. Under Question 3, future primaries would place all candidates onto one ballot, sending only the top pair of vote-getters onto the November election regardless of affiliation. Such an all-party system would heavily favor incumbents as well as those with the backing of ultra-wealthy donors, all but blocking lesser-known candidates from having the runway to develop viability. While all campaigns require money and fundraising prowess, Question 3 would result in a race to reach those with the deepest pockets and the strings that come attached. It’s no surprise that financial disclosures show this ballot question has been bankrolled by just a few dozen private equity executives, to the tune of $7 million so far. This is exactly what future elections would look like, and why newcomers wouldn’t stand a chance. When a top-two system replaces a true primary, it’s not the voters who narrow the field — it’s big donors, strategizing behind the scenes who they want to advance at the outset. Outside money, not your vote, will decide who represents you, because nobody else will be able to get into the race. If big-money donors decide every race statewide, the candidates who end up in the top two will resemble the donors and their priorities, not you or me. They may even be indistinguishable from each other, because the 1% will want to make sure the winner is always one of their picks. And in a city like Malden, where 66% of voters are independent, Question 3 would do little to improve the experience or outcomes. Voters would still pick whichever ballot they want on Election Day without having to enroll in a party; the dif~ Political Announcement ~ Maria D’Esposito Announces Candidacy For City Councilor-At-Large D ear Malden Residents, Friends, and Neighbors, It is with great pride and a deep sense of responsibility that I announce my candidacy for Malden City Councilor-at-Large. Malden is more than the city where I live. It is my home, my foundation, and the community that has shaped my life. With the exception of four years, I have spent my entire life in Malden. I have been married to my husband for over 35 years, and together we raised our daughter in Malden. Like so many families, we built our lives in this community, and I care deeply about preserving the qualities that make Malden such a special place to live, work and raise a family. My family's roots in Malden run deep. For more than 35 years, my parents owned and operated a business in our city. Watching their dedication and hard work taught me the importance of supporting local businesses, building relationships, and the responsibility we all share to give back to the community that supports us. Throughout my career, I have gained 40 years of financial experience and 15 years of project planning experience. These roles have taught me the importance of financial responsibility, careful planning, accountability, and making informed decisions. I believe these skills are essential to responsible city government, particularly when managing taxpayer dollars and planning for Malden's future. My commitment to Malden also extends beyond my professional life. As a proud member of the Zonta Club of Malden, I have had the opportunity to participate in community service projects and support initiatives that make a difference in people's lives. I am particularly proud of the club's scholarship program, which recognizes and supports young women pursuing higher education. Supporting these students reminds us of the importance of investing in the next generation and creating opportunities for future leaders. I am running for City Councilor-at-Large because Malden Maria D'Esposito City Council Candidate is my home, and I want to help ensure that our city continues to be a place where residents feel heard, valued, and represented. IF ELECTED, I WILL WORK TO PROMOTE: • Fiscal Responsibility: Promoting responsible budgeting, transparency, and accountability to taxpayers. • Thoughtful Planning and Development: Considering the long-term effects of decisions on our neighborhood’s infrastructure and quality of life.. • Strong Neighborhoods: Preserving the character of our neighborhoods and maintaining a safe, welcoming community we all value. • Support for Local Businesses: Recognizing the vital role small businesses play in Malden's economy and community. • Community and Education: Supporting opportunities that help our residents and future generations succeed. • Responsive Government: Listening to residents, respecting their concerns, and ensuring their voices are heard. For me, this campaign is personal. Malden is where I grew up, where my husband and I built our life together and raised our daughter, and where my family built its livelihood. My lifelong connection to this city, combined with my professional experience and community involvement, has strengthened my belief that good government begins with listening, planning responsibly, and always putting residents first. My commitment is simple: I will listen, I will work hard, and I will always put Malden residents first. This campaign is about all of us—our families, our neighborhoods, our local businesses, and the future we want to build together. I welcome the opportunity to hear your concerns, learn your priorities, and work alongside you to make Malden an even stronger community. I would be honored to earn your support and your vote. Together, we can work towards a city that respects its traditions, plans responsibly for its future, and continues to provide opportunities for everyone who calls Malden home. Thank you for your support and for allowing me the opportunity to share my vision for the city that has been my home for nearly my entire life. With gratitude and commitment, Maria D'Esposito Candidate for Malden City Councilor-at-Large ference is that, if this question passes, there’s likely to be even fewer compelling state candidates to choose from, with incumbents, the self-funded, and the ultra-wealthy disproportionately represented. It’s hard to see how this would increase transparency, break logjams, or introduce much-needed new faces or ideas. We have a long way to go before our elected bodies statewide truly reflect the makeup of our communities. Changing our primary system will only put us further away from that goal. If we want to explore meaningful reform, public financing and ranked-choice voting would be better fixes for what ails our current system, like the already high cost of running and the risk of vote-splitting in a crowded field. Until that time comes, I encourage Malden voters to join me in opposing Question 3.
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