Your Local News, Sports & Information Online! Scan and Subscribe! Vol. 34, No. 45 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday Malden Councillor-at-Large race: Luong is in, Spadafora out in upset Record low turnout (just 15%) as all other incumbents turn back challengers; newcomer Piazza claims open Ward 6 School Committee seat By Steve Freker M alden political forecasters peering into their crystal balls expected something had to give in a closely watched Councillor-at-Large race on Election Day Tuesday. Few probably predicted what did actually happen. On a day when Malden saw a record low turnout for a municipal election at the polling places, the city’s political scene also witnessed a major upset as longtime Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora finished fourth and out of the running in the six-candidate race. Claiming the third seat for Councillor-at-Large in her first try in the City Council race was Michelle Luong, a former School Committee member from Ward 7. Finishing first and second and reelected to their third terms were fellow Councillor-at-Large incumbents Karen Colón Hayes and Carey McDonald. Hayes drew 3,236 votes for a first-place finish, the top vote-getter in 20 of 27 Malden precincts. McDonald received 3.052 votes for second place and reelection to a third term. Luong was third with 2,970 votes and was elected to the third Councillor-at-Large seat. Spadafora, who was first elected to the City Council in 2003 and was seeking a 12th consecutive term, finished fourth and out of the running with 2,272 votes. Rounding out the at-Large field, political newcomers Mohammad Abu-Taha (1,038 votes) and Solomon Davidoff (775 votes) finished fifth and sixth, respectively. Aside from the result of the Councillor-at-Large race, all of the other challenges to incumbent elected officials for City Council and School Committee were turned aside and all were reelected. In Ward 1, Councillor Peg Crowe prevailed to win her eighth two-year term, 354-233 votes over challenger and politRACE | SEE PAGE 11 City of Malden Veterans Day Ceremony at Forest Dale Cemetery Special to The Advocate M ayor Gary Christenson, Health and Human Services, and Veterans Services Officer Kevin Jarvis cordially invite all residents, veterans, community organizations and members of the public to attend the City of Malden’s Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The ceremony will take place at Forest Dale Cemetery, at the Veterans Monuments located just inside the main gate on Forest Street. This annual event honors the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces and recogT 617-387-2200 Friday, November 7, 2025 Malden Ward 2 School Committee member Robert S. McCarthy Jr. was reelected to another term Tuesday. He was campaigning from morning to dusk outside the 89 Pearl St. Senior Housing polling place. Supporters of Councillor-at-Large-Elect Michelle Luong were also there supporting their candidate, who won election to the City Council on her first try at that post. (Advocate Photo) ELECTION ROUNDUP: Historically low turnout for Malden city election Tuesday Municipal election draws merely 15%; only 5,800 voters of nearly 38,000 registered turned out at the polls By Steve Freker here have been low turnouts before, but never THIS nizes their unwavering dedication, sacrifice and commitment to protecting our nation. Veterans Day — originally known as Armistice Day — was established to commemorate CEREMONY | SEE PAGE 5 low. Not for a full municipal General Election. Malden’s voters made electoral history Tuesday and not for the most positive reason when a record low number of Maldonians turned out to perform their civic duty. A historic low turnout of merely 15% of Malden’s registered voters cast their ballots on Tuesday, the lowest number ever for a full municipal General Election. Only 5,798 voters came to the polls on Tuesday, with 37,854 Maldonians registered on the voting rolls. This was the first time in Malden’s history that voter turnout dipped below 20 percent in a General Election, the only time it has been in the teens and one of lowest turnouts — period — ever. Turnouts have dropped precipitously in successive elections in the last decade or so, despite the number of registered voters rising. The nearly 38,000 registered voters is the largest number in city history as well. There was a very low 21.8% turnout in ELECTION | SEE PAGE 5
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