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<h1>City Councillor</h1><img src="https://run.imgix.net/aa06cd45-0509-4536-9e64-e00c7f708253/2d97f7f9-9c36-4abf-aefd-30cc9b326177/2d97f7f9-9c36-4abf-aefd-30cc9b326177.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=211%2C1012%2C2451%2C2030&amp;w=1500" alt="Carey is standing at a rally for a community members' release from immigration detention, in front of a crowd holding signs" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"><h3>In 2021, I ran for office for the first time because I saw the need for values-driven, strong local leadership.</h3>I wanted to make sure our community remained a great place to raise my family. When I got elected, I got straight to work on the things I promised - climate action, road paving, racial equity, fiscal management, and more.I have chaired the Finance Committee for four years, giving me a deep understanding of the financial “perfect storm” facing our cities and towns. Like most communities in the 5th Middlesex District, Malden had to ask voters to pass an override. Unfortunately, Malden’s override failed 49/51% in March 2026, forcing the city to consider dozens of layoffs and cuts to nearly every city service. This showed how much the deck is stacked against local budgets. We need leaders who will fix the local budget crisis at the state level, including addressing the broken “local share” portion of the Chapter 70 school funding formula.

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<h1>Experienced Nonprofit Executive</h1><img src="https://run.imgix.net/aa06cd45-0509-4536-9e64-e00c7f708253/7430ed6d-957d-4a30-a50f-3c8d918f2138/7430ed6d-957d-4a30-a50f-3c8d918f2138.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C890%2C2998%2C2619&amp;w=1500" alt="Carey is smiling standing in a crowd, wearing a yellow Side With Love shirt under a black blazer" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"><h3>I've served as the Executive Vice President of a national faith-based nonprofit since 2017.</h3>As an executive officer of the Unitarian Universalist Association, I oversee day-to-day operations of 200+ staff and a budget of over $40 million.In my time as Executive VP,&nbsp; we have fought for our values in the courts, including by joining a lawsuit suing the Trump administration; converted unused office space to provide a temporary shelter to homeless families; restructured our internal voting and policy-making democratic process; and started a national, nonpartisan voter outreach campaign that now reaches 2 million voters every two years.My professional background is in education policy, youth programs and school funding.Before moving to the Boston area, I worked for the Ohio Department of Education as a budget and policy analyst on school funding and equity issues. I had started my career as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives. Then on the staff of the Speaker of the House, I helped pass a major education reform package, including a school funding overhaul.&nbsp;I have a BA in Economics from Pomona College in Claremont, CA, and a MS in Organizational Leadership from Wheelock College in Boston, MA.

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Join Team McDonald to fight for the kind of Massachusetts where working families can actually afford to stay, our neighbors are protected, and our cities finally get the partner we deserve.

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Our communities deserve a partner in the State Senate who will fight for the schools, housing, and opportunities our families need — and the courage to take on the structural problems holding us back.

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<h1>Parent &amp; Community Leader</h1><h3>Sarah and I are raising our family here because we love the people and the values of this community.</h3><img src="https://run.imgix.net/aa06cd45-0509-4536-9e64-e00c7f708253/9c1027b8-1181-4a47-a1d1-e709c071b9a5/9c1027b8-1181-4a47-a1d1-e709c071b9a5.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=434%2C0%2C4593%2C3634&amp;w=1500" alt="Carey, Sarah and their kids stand on the sidewalk holding Carey for City Council campaign signs, and waving to cars" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">We both grew up in Ohio, but moved to Massachusetts for jobs and school. My family also has deep roots in the North Shore, going back to Malden’s founding. Sarah is a leader who helped found Malden PorchFest and worked with Malden Neighbors Helping Neighbors. I volunteer with the Malden Warming Center. We want to give back with everything we can to help Malden continue to be a great place to raise a family.Grounded in my personal experience and identities, I put equity and accessibility at the heart of my leadership.I became one of the first multiracial city-wide elected officials, and have been a lifelong racial equity advocate. I’m also an out, non-binary transgender person who uses they/them pronouns. I became the first out transgender elected official in Malden history. Throughout my life, I have often been the first, the only, or the youngest person like me in my role, and I know how much representation matters.&nbsp;

<h2>To Contribute by Check:</h2>Please make checks out to "CTE Carey McDonald", and mail to:CTE Carey McDonaldPO Box 283Malden, MA 02148

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These are some of the top priorities our campaign is focused on.

Fighting for Our Community

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Sponsored the Malden Community Electricity program, which saved residents roughly $2 million in its first year. It also avoided adding 5 million pounds of CO2 to the atmosphere.

Malden Community Electricity

Advocated for millions for road paving and safer sidewalks and crosswalks. Supported speed bumps, bike paths and other improvements to get around safely.

Road &amp; Sidewalk Improvements

Led the process to create Malden's climate action plan. First city-wide plan to protect neighborhoods from rising temperatures and worsening storms, and reduce emissions to protect the planet.

Climate Action Plan

As Finance Committee chair, focused on fixing the school funding formula that strains local budgets. Proposed key changes to help Malden and Melrose stabilize their schools.

School Funding

Secured resources for translation and interpretation. Sponsored resolution against collaboration with ICE.

Parks &amp; Libraries

Strengthened Malden's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Supported key affordable housing projects and MBTA Communities housing zoning changes.

Affordable Housing

Passed a new rental registry, to ensure rental units are inspected and lead-free. Focused on outreach to renters and landlords for clean energy home conversions.

Support for Renters

Support for Immigrants

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Carey McDonald for State Senate

Dozens of local organizations and leaders are standing together!

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<a href="https://www.ufcwlocal1445.org/">United Food and Commercial Workers 1445</a>

UFCW Local 1445

<a href="http://www.maldenlocal902.org/?zone=/unionactive/contact.cfm">Malden Firefighters Local 902</a>

IAFF Local 902

Unions

<a href="https://workingfamilies.org/candidates/">Massachusetts Working Families Party</a>

MA Working Families Party

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<a href="https://www.massalliance.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Statewide progressive coalition</a>

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<h2>Why I'm running</h2><h3>We are at a critical point in our state and our country to decide - do we believe in fairness and opportunity for all?</h3>Growing up, my family didn't have much money.I went to inner city public schools, made it through college on a scholarship, and then went to night school while working full time to get my masters. I worked minimum wage jobs, starting at age 15. I struggled with student loans, and went without healthcare when we just couldn’t afford it. But my family taught me the importance of giving back to your community with whatever you have. I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today without supports like good public schools, a functioning student loan system, paid family leave, and a first time homebuyer program.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/aa06cd45-0509-4536-9e64-e00c7f708253/65913f79-4d75-40e1-992c-60916d13ef16/65913f79-4d75-40e1-992c-60916d13ef16.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=1083%2C615%2C3073%2C2481&amp;w=1500" alt="Carey's family - spouse and two young kids - crouch down while smiling for a photo in the park" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">Now, with kids of my own, the pathways that helped me find a decent job and a home for my family are already closing for their generation.The middle class has been eaten away by economic trends that individual hustle isn’t enough to overcome. I’m running to focus on the big picture, the structural problems we need to change to reopen those pathways. That includes bringing down the cost of housing, clean energy, child care, and basic health care. It means ensuring we don’t sacrifice decent jobs with benefits for the gig economy, or be replaced by AI. It means fixing the local budget crisis that is hollowing out our schools, parks, libraries and city services. And it means protecting our neighbors whose civil rights are under assault because of their immigration status or their identity. I’m running because I’m committed to building communities where everyone can thrive.&nbsp;

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Carey is running to make our district affordable for working families, push back against federal extremism, and give our cities the state partner they've never had.

Carey's Issues &amp; Priorities

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Carey McDonald for State Senate

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Our rights are under assault by an authoritarian Federal government. We need leaders who will ensure that Massachusetts doesn't back down, and that we do everything we can to ensure our neighbors and loved ones are safe.Immigrant rights<ul><li>Support the PROTECT Act; go further to restrict civil arrests at sensitive locations to include schools, hospitals and houses of worship</li><li>Expand legal aid fund for immigration cases</li><li>End all 287(g) agreements&nbsp;for transfers into ICE custody</li></ul>LGBTQ rights<ul><li>Support access to gender-affirming care in health insurance</li><li>Support laws to restrict book banning and removals in libraries and schools</li></ul>Reproductive rights<ul><li>Increase access to abortion care</li><li>Support full pregnancy coverage and care access</li></ul>Community safety<ul><li>Restrict the usage of license plate readers and data brokers selling personal info to law enforcement</li><li>Promote and fund alternative responders to non-violent 911 calls, such as those related to mental health and homelessness</li></ul>

Our rights are under assault. We need leaders who won't back down from protecting rights for immigrants and LGBTQ people, reproductive rights, community safety, data privacy and more.

Protect our rights

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Whether you rent or buy, stable and affordable housing is essential. The high cost of housing is making it impossible to get ahead in Massachusetts. The state needs to work better with local leaders to ensure more housing is built, that critical income-restricted housing gets prioritized, and that renters get a fair deal and responsible landlords are supported.<ul><li>Put more resources towards affordable housing projects, from innovative funding sources (e.g. deed transfers)</li><li>Streamline affordable housing permitting, since permitting delays raise the cost of construction</li><li>Allow cities and towns to opt into affordable housing tax exemptions</li><li>Stabilize the rental voucher program</li><li>Allow cities and towns to opt into rent stabilization (e.g. begin approving home rule petitions, or allow for local option)</li><li>Allow tenants to purchase buildings if owner is planning to sell</li><li>Encourage 2-3 family construction in every community</li><li>Explore regional housing trusts and land banks</li><li>Protect in-home care options for seniors</li></ul>

Whether you rent or buy, stable and affordable housing is essential. The high cost of housing is making it impossible to get ahead in Massachusetts.

Housing

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Schools are the hearts of our communities. Great schools require investment, to provide kids and teachers with the supports they need. And we celebrate that community college is now tuition-free!<ul><li>Support safe and high-quality schools for all students</li><li>Expand pre-K access and vouchers</li><li>Protect educators' rights</li><li>Maintain the charter school cap</li></ul>School Funding<ul><li>Fix the local share requirement for school funding so that it reflects a community's ability to pay (the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is currently studying this issue)</li><li>Support a commission to provide ongoing recommendations for changes to the Chapter 70 school funding formula</li><li>Overhaul the Mass School Building Authority's reimbursement model</li></ul>

Schools are the hearts of our communities. Great public schools require investment, to provide kids and teachers with the supports they need.

Schools

The pathways to a good and stable life are evaporating under the pressure of the affordability crisis. To restore those opportunities, we need urgent changes in multiple different areas:Housing - If you don't have stable housing, you can't hold down a job, recover from an illness, or invest in your community. <a href="/836181dd-f7a4-4ef2-bff8-87b5cb61e479/54a1d8d3-ba04-4121-ad89-00d3d6146fa8">Read Carey's housing priorities &gt;&gt;</a>Utility Bills - Electric and gas bills are out of control. We need immediate relief, and long-term solutions to ensure clean and low-cost energy for all. <a href="/836181dd-f7a4-4ef2-bff8-87b5cb61e479/c6853be0-1731-4c33-a6ef-9511e11992f1">Read Carey's utility bill priorities &gt;&gt;</a>Promote good jobs and union membership.Support local businesses through state economic development partnerships.Expand child care vouchers and promote early childhood workforce programs, to ensure every family can afford it.

The pathways to a good and stable life are evaporating under the pressure of the affordability crisis. We need urgent changes to reopen thes pathways for the next generation.

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Tackle affordability

As chair of the City Council's Finance Committee, I have a deep understanding of the financial “perfect storm” facing our cities and towns. Most communities in the 5th Middlesex District have had to ask voters for the difficult choice to pass an override in the past year, just to maintain basic city services. The deck is stacked against local government budgets, threatening our schools, parks, libraries, roads, sidewalks and first responders. We need leaders who will work fix the local budget crisis at the state level. That includes:<ul><li>Secure changes to the Chapter 70 school funding formula's broken local share requirement, so that it reflects a community's ability to pay</li><li>Advocate for local economic development support and grants for communities in the district, including leveraging state-owned property</li><li>Support the Mass Municipal Association's "Navigating the Storm" agenda for more financial tools for cities &amp; towns</li><li>Propose a commission to develop an equitable formula for unrestricted local aid</li><li>Close the charter school land grab loophole - in Malden, a charter school has purchased tens of millions of dollars in property not used for classrooms, decimating the tax base in a key commercial district</li></ul>

Our cities and towns are facing a financial "perfect storm." We need help at the state level to fix the problem and protect local quality of life.

Fix the local budget crisis

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The climate crisis is already here - we feel the extreme temperatures, worsening storms, and flooding risk. We feel the squeeze in our utility bills and insurance premiums. A future of clean energy for all is possible, where we generate electricity locally and are not dependent on importing fossil fuels. if we can work together to transition our communities and our economies away from fossil fuels, and protect those most vulnerable.Lower utility bills &amp; clean energy<ul><li>Protect the MassSave program from cuts, and ensure it is more user-friendly and prioritizes equitable electrification; the MA House has voted to cut this program, which directly puts money into the pockets of our residents to help them access affordable, clean energy</li><li>Utility companies are highly regulated by the state - push utility companies to avoid profiteering; restrict expensive capital recovery on gas pipelines, and oppose the GSEP program</li><li>Streamline solar panel and other renewable permitting for more local power generation which creates less need for costly, large electricity infrastructure</li><li>Explore multi-city cooperatives for buying electricity in bulk (e.g. scale up the impact of municipal aggregation)</li></ul>Protecting climate and environment goals<ul><li>Oppose any attempt to roll back state 2050 climate commitments</li><li>Find new funding sources for climate resilience projects, such as the Make Polluters Pay bill to create a climate superfund</li><li>Support the MBTA, shared use paths, and better bus service to create good alternatives for driving</li><li>Promote public data on building decarbonization and community-level emissions</li><li>Restrict use of PFAS chemicals</li><li>Monitor ultrafine air particle pollution</li><li>Support swift removal of all lead service lines for lead-free drinking water</li></ul>

The climate crisis is already here. Working together, we can ensure everyone has access to clean, lower-cost energy, and that our communities are ready for rising temperatures and worsening storms.

Climate & Environment

The Statehouse should be as transparent as town hall. In a time when our demodracy is under attack, our leaders need to build trust in the workings of government. In a democracy, it's essential that voters can see how decisions get made. That includes:<ul><li>Apply sunshine laws for public records and open meetings to the state legislature, just like local governments and most other states</li><li>Follow the will of the voters, who overwhelmingly supported the ability of the State Auditor to audit the state legislature; utilize a neutral and third-party expert as needed to resolve disputes on the issue and move forward</li><li>Record all committee and floor votes</li><li>Make committee meetings more accessible</li><li>Ensure bills and amendments are available with enough time before vote</li><li>Create a non-partisan legislative research agency</li><li>Shift key programs from temporary authorization to regular law, to avoid annual bottlenecking as part of the budget process</li></ul>

Democracy needs openness. Ensure our state elected leaders are making decisions with transparency, so voters can hold them accountable.

Open Government

Carey's running to build communities where everyone can thrive. The MA 5th Middlesex District includes Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield and parts of Winchester. 

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