Ryan O’Malley for State Senate Candidate Statement

Voluteers and supporters, including members of the MTA and NEA, canvass for Ryan O’Malley’s State Senate campaign. Photo provided by the O’Malley campaign.

The common theme throughout the conversations State Senate Candidate Ryan O’Malley has had with voters, is that we need a better, common sense government. Families are struggling to afford health and child care, cost of food and utilities is sky high, and the cost of housing is weakening a once solid foundation for the future. O’Malley is committed to creating real solutions to these issues, which is why the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) has proudly endorsed him in the race for the open 5th Middlesex seat representing Malden, Melrose, Wakefield, Stoneham, Reading, and Winchester. He is the only candidate in the race for State Senate to attend public school in the district and has made education funding reform a cornerstone of his campaign, focusing on how Massachusetts can support its educators and students, while reducing costs and political division for residents.

“Zip codes should not dictate the quality of your education,” says O’Malley. “As a municipal official, I have seen the impact of dwindling state aid on our communities. Overly relying on local property taxes to fund education forces cities and towns to do property tax overrides, which are divisive even when necessary. The state needs to do more.” O’Malley, who is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and Boston College Law School, attributes his success to the educators who helped him overcome challenges reading when he was in school. “As our State Senator, Ryan O’Malley will fight to make sure Beacon Hill works for everyone - stronger schools, affordable housing, and lower costs for working families,” said the MTA. Professionally, O’Malley is an attorney focused on creating high-quality affordable housing to help seniors age in place and families thrive.

Ryan O’Malley waters a young tree while campaigning at a community event. Photo provided by the O’Malley campaign.

As a former MDC/DCR park ranger in the Middlesex Fells and Breakheart Reservations, he highlighted his extensive public service experience when he marched with trees in the Wakefield Independence Day Parade. “Protecting the environment and our shared public assets is so important to me. Whether it’s our parks, schools, public libraries, or public finances, I have the experience and track record of being a dedicated steward of our public assets,” said O’Malley.

Throughout his six terms on the Malden City Council, O’Malley has a long track record of fighting for government accountability and compliance with the public record and open meeting laws, which informs his state level positions. “I fully support State Auditor Diana DiZoglio's effort to audit the Massachusetts legislature and support the current ballot question to apply the public record law to the legislature,” says O’Malley. He has taken the Act on Mass Good Government Pledge which calls for term limits for legislative leadership positions. “Leadership currently uses financial incentives, like stipends and committee assignments, to coerce legislators into compliance with their policy goals,” O’Malley said. “The State Ethics Law should be amended to prohibit this type of unethical behavior.”

“If you’d like to bring common sense to Beacon Hill, then I humbly ask for your vote on or before the Sep 1 Democratic Primary,” O’Malley said. The Democratic Primary will be held in person on Tuesday, September 1. Early and mail in voting are also an option because the election will be held prior to Labor Day and associated vacations.

Graphic provided by the O’Malley campaign.