Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 30, 2026 State Election 2026 With a safer Route 1 and lower cost of living, state Rep. Donald Wong makes his final pitch to voters By Siena Gleason D “WE’RE STILL HERE!” Since 1947 MALDEN AUTO BODY Book online: Maldenauto.com 49 Robin St., Everett, MA 617-389-3030 * Maldenab@yahoo.com Over 79 years of exceptional service! Massone Family Owned & Operated onald Wong is a Republican who says he’d rather not talk about parties at all. After more than a decade on Beacon Hill, the 9th Essex District representative is asking voters for a 9th term with a simple pitch: “I don’t care what party you’re in. I’ll work with you.” Wong, who represents Saugus, Wakefield, and a part of Lynn, is running against Democrat Peter Meaney. If reelected, he says, he will push to bring more businesses to the district, lower the cost of living, and make Route 1 safer. Wong said what sets him apart from his opponent is that he can back up everything he says with action he has taken. Wong’s campaign manager, Corinne Riley, urged voters who usually choose Democrats to look past the “R” next to his name, saying voters should look at the person, not the party. “I’m a Republican, but I cross the aisle,” said Wong, adding that he has built workState Rep. Donald Wong spoke to a crowd at the Saugus Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2346 during a surprise celebration for him on Sept. 19. (Photo to The Saugus Advocate by Siena Gleason) ing relationships with both sides during his time in office. He mentioned working with House Republican Leader Bradley Jones and Speaker Ron Mariano, a Democrat. “You can get approval from one, but if you don’t get approval from the other, it makes it harder to work things out,” Wong said. He points to his work on Route 1 as proof. Soon after taking office in 2011, frequent water main breaks on the highway were a pressing issue. When Route 1 was widened in 1937, the water main and sewage pipes stayed in the passing lane instead of moving WONG | SEE PAGE 3 ELECTION | FROM PAGE 1 will be decided. There are also nine ballot questions. But the main political contest to be decided by Saugus voters will be for the 9th Essex District House seat where eight-term incumbent Donald Wong (R-Saugus) faces his first opponent in four elections – Democrat Pete Meaney, who is serving his second term as a Lynn city councilor. The district includes parts of Saugus, Lynn and Wakefield. But the election really runs through Saugus, which constitutes about 60 percent of the vote. The 74-yearold Wong has been unbeatable since defeating five-term Democratic incumbent Mark Falzone by 382 votes in the 2010 election. He won three other elections by wide margins and was reelected four other times without facing an opponent. Please see inside for stories about the Wong-Meaney race and other election coverage.
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