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Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 21, 2026 State Primary Election 2026: Democratic challengers outspend state Rep. Wong in their quest for his Ninth Essex House District seat By Mark E. Vogler T he two Democratic candidates from Lynn who face each other in the Sept. 1 State Primary have both spent more on their respective campaigns to dethrone longtime state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) in the race for the Ninth Essex House District seat than the incumbent. Peter Meaney has already spent $157,512.34 and has $110,840.22 in cash on hand, according to documents filed through July 31 SCHOOL | FROM PAGE 3 11 years as a teacher employed by Lynn Public Schools. “Amanda is very capable and she’s learning very quickly,” Blair said of the number three person in charge at the school. The principal said he was impressed with her “the second she sat down” for the job interview. “She had read our student handbook. One of the things I had put in last year was the disciplinary plan. She had read it and spoke intelligently about the disciplinary plan,” Blair said. “She had the presence of mind to read that handbook with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF). Meaney is a Lynn dentist who was elected to a second term representing Ward 1 on the Lynn City Council last fall. Meanwhile, Zosia VanMeter has spent $14,926.84 and has $15,311.23 in cash on hand, according to the OCPF. VanMeter has worked the last four and a half years in Lynn city government – including the last three years as acting and later permanent director of the Inspectional Division. in advance of the interview. I was impressed, and she’s been that good since we hired her,” he said. O’Brien’s primary role will be as the new Assistant Principal for Grades 2 and 4 at the Belmonte STEAM Academy. Hiring O’Brien was crucial to being able to maintain a safe and well-run school, according to Blair. “My number one responsibility as an administrator is safety. We have a total of 850 kids coming into the building every day, and 850 have to go home,” he said. “Once I know that number [number of students enrolled], if I have two great assistant Aluminum Aluminum Everett Everett Aluminum Supplies Celebrating 66 Years in Business! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Vinyl Siding Decks • •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Free Estimates • • Replacement Windows • Carpentry Work • Roong • Fully Insured• Fully Insured Fully Insured Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com • Replacement Windows •Roong Free Estimates Fully Licensed • Roong 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! Everett Aluminum Supplies Rep. Wong, 74, who has no Republican competition in the primary, has spent $11,726.71 so far this year and has $22,820.21 left to spend on his campaign. Collectively, the three candidates have spent more than $184,000 and have close to $149,000 in cash on hand, according to the OCPF. He has been a community leader in Saugus for more than two decades. And since his election to the Legislature in 2010, he’s been a local leader for three communities. principals, I know the school is that much safer. You’re going to have better teachers, better supervision and better visibility for us,” Blair said. “And if you are better organized, you are going to have more ways to help students who are having a bad day,” he said. O’Brien is a passionate educator, who walks around with a big smile, exuding great love for her profession. “I knew I wanted to be a teacher as early as I can remember,” said O’Brien, who lives in Salem with her husband Sean and SCHOOL | SEE PAGE 5 Summer is Here! Wong, who has faced no opposition during the last three (2020, 2022 and 2024) elections, seeks his 9th two-year term representing the voters of the Ninth Essex House District. Precincts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in Saugus make up the core of the district, which also includes parts of Lynn and Wakefield. Before getting elected to the State House, Wong served as chairman of the Saugus Board of Selectmen (20072011) and was a member of the Saugus Annual Town Meeting (2005-2007). He is a third-generation Chinese American. He, along with state Rep. Tackey Chan (D-Quincy), were the first Asian Americans elected to the state Legislature in 2010. Wong and his wife Jeannie have three grown children. He is a businessman and president of Kowloon Group, Inc. which manages the Kowloon Restaurant – a popular Route 1 restaurant owned by three generations of his family at the same location for more than 75 years. THIRD IN COMMAND: Amanda O’Brien is one of two new assistant principals hired by Saugus Public Schools this summer. She will be the third ranking administrator at Belmonte STEAM Academy. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler)

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