2026 Elections for 5th Middlesex District - Carey McDonald

This was a political candidate interview hosted by WCAT Wakefield on August 12, 2026, featuring Katherine McDonald, a Malden City Councilor and candidate for the open 5th Middlesex State Senate seat. The discussion focused on key community issues including municipal budget shortfalls, local government funding challenges, and the need for state support to address these fiscal gaps. McDonald emphasized the importance of revising the Chapter 70 school funding formula to better support local districts and advocated for regional educational service centers to achieve cost savings through shared services such as transportation and special education. She also discussed housing policy, supporting affordable housing development and streamlined permitting processes, and addressed concerns about rising energy costs and the promotion of clean energy programs. While the meeting did not include specific contract awards or procurement decisions, it highlighted policy priorities that could influence future state funding allocations and procurement opportunities in education, housing, and energy sectors.