Jennifer Migliore, district representative for Congressman Seth Moulton
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — Jennifer Migliore, district representative for Congressman Seth Moulton, has announced her candidacy for State Representative for the Ninth Essex District in next year’s election.
Migliore, a Saugus native, will run against current Rep. Donald Wong, also a Saugus resident. She made the announcement Sunday on the Blue Mass Group website and on Facebook. She plans to make a more official announcement in January, she said.
“I’m scheduled to resign (from her position working with Moulton) the first week in January,” Migliore said. “Right now I’m concentrating on doing a lot to make sure that my role is fully transitioned.
“My No. 1 focus is trying to transition all that I do for the congressman,” she said.
In her announcement to Blue Mass Group members, she attributed her “deep and abiding love of community” to her Saugus upbringing, time spent in public elementary schools, and role as the daughter of a union plumber and nursing aide.
“I am proud to announce to the Blue Mass Group liberal community that I am a Democratic candidate for Ninth Essex District (Lynn, Saugus, Wakefield) State Representative,” Migliore wrote in the announcement.
“Over the course of the next 12 months, I pledge to knock on every door in the district to listen and learn the concerns of every voter,” she wrote. “My issues-based platform will address those concerns. “
Migliore said her job as district representative involves helping constituents resolve problems with government every day.
Her campaign page, jenmiglioreforrep.com, also mentions her experience working for several established Massachusetts Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Moulton.
According to the her support page, Migliore believes in supporting the Town Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Committee’s efforts to promote business expansion. She supports efforts to revitalize downtown Lynn. She is opposed to the adoption of the Common Core standards in public schools.
Migliore believes in supporting those suffering from addiction with public health programs and supports the adoption of Gloucester’s ANGEL program.
She sees the importance of the recent grease trap regulation in Saugus, supports efforts to provide more funding to parks and playgrounds, is “adamantly opposed” to the expansion of Wheelabrator, and believes in the equal treatment of all people, it says.
“My mission is to bring youthful enthusiasm and a fresh, new perspective as a vocal advocate and fighter for hardworking families to Beacon Hill,” she said.
Migliore will hold a reception to support her campaign on Dec. 27 at 6 p.m. The event will be hosted by Al DiNardo at 199 Essex St.
Wong, a Republican, said he is aware Migliore has a Dec. 27 event planned and said he has spoken to her in the past in her capacity as a Moulton staff member.
“I like seeing young people involved. I think it is good people get involved,” he said.
Wong formerly served as a Saugus Town Meeting member from 2005 to 2007. He was on the Board of Selectmen from 2007 until 2011, when he went to the State Legislature.
He said he has worked with Democratic legislators to get Route 1 sewage projects completed in the past. He also said he has opposed information technology taxes.
“I am proud to say I was the first to support people fighting to keep Union Hospital open,” Wong said.
“I have so much more I want to finish,” he said. “I am proud of what I have accomplished.”
Migliore said she is trying to be respectful to her current position and will speak more on her campaign after resigning in January.
“Some of it could be a conflict of interest,” she said. “There’s a lot of work that goes into running a campaign. I’m doing that work and making sure that I appropriately transition all of my roles.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]
