Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 30, 2026 State Election 2026 in the fi nal push for the State House seat, Meaney promises lower costs and more accessible government By Aidan DeLange W ith Election Day just 10 days away, Pete Meaney traded his campaign attire for a powdered white wig and a George Washington costume, greeting families at a trunkor-treat event where he had set up a booth. Music played from a DJ booth as an estimated 400 people gathered over the weekend at Saugus High School for the seventh annual event, where local organizations and sports teams transformed car trunks into Halloween displays. At Meaney’s red, white and blue booth, children received voting tickets to choose their candy of choice from six chocolate options before collecting their treats. While the children cast their votes, the 41-year-old Lynn city councilor and Democratic candidate made his fi nal appeal to the adults for why they should choose him over eightterm Republican incumbent Donald Wong to be the 9th Essex District’s next representative in the State House. With a promise to tackle rising living costs, aff ordability is a central campaign issue for the Meaney camp. “People can’t aff ord to live here,” Meaney said. “People can’t afford to have anyone watch their kids.” Meaney argues that rising housing, utility and childcare costs are driving young professionals and families out of Massachusetts, weakening the state’s economic future. A survey published earlier this year by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce found that a quarter of the 20-30-year-olds included in the survey said they plan to leave the Greater Boston area within the next fi ve years. Job availability and rising costs emerged as the top Welcome Home to 588 Lincoln Avenue Offered at $699,900 Home of the Week SAUGUS – 1st AD - AFFORDABLE Two Family! First floor offers 4 rooms, 2 bedrooms, eat-in kitchen, full bath. Second floor offers townhouse style living on two levels featuring 7 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 1 ½ baths, eat-in kitchen, dining room, enclosed second floor porch. Separate gas heat and electric, level yard, off street, double width driveway. Located just outside of Cliftondale Square on bus line. Needs TLC. Great opportunity - Great investment! Come make this one your own! Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate Formerly Carpenito Real Estate (781) 233-7300 335 Central St. Saugus commonmoves.com ©2024 BHH Affiliates, LLC, An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity. Pete Meaney, the Democratic candidate for state representative in the 9th Essex District, handed out candy to “trick or treaters” while dressed as George Washington at Saugus High School’s Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 24. (Photo to The Saugus Advocate by Aidan DeLange) reasons why, while 60% also considered availability and affordability of childcare to be an important factor. His fi rst legislative priority, if elected, would be expanding access to universal prekindergarten, which would provide publicly funded preschool education for children ages three to fi ve, reducing what working parents have to pay for early education. “We need to give working families some relief,” Meaney said. Rather than building an entirely new program, Meaney wants to expand existing state-supported early education initiatives that would make pre-K available to those communities where access is limited or determined by lottery. He believes revenue from the state’s tax on income above $1 million could help fi - nance the expansion. The issue is personal for Meaney, a father of three, who said his family was quoted $700 a week for childcare for their twins alone. With a third child also needing care, Meaney said the expense led his wife, a nurse educator, to stay home with their children. For campaign treasurer Robyn Bragan-Smith, the problem is familiar. A dental hygienist at Meaney’s practice, Bragan-Smith said her family was unsuccessful in Lynn’s preschool lottery, which used to have fewer than 500 seats MEANEY | SEE PAGE 6 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 pp Celebrating 67 Years in Business Since 1958! ws
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