By Thor Jourgensen
SAUGUS — State Rep. Donald Wong and Democrat challenger Jennifer Migliore are staking out their policy positions and amassing endorsements as the Nov. 8 election draws nearer.
Wong unveiled his “Children First” initiatives aimed at improving education, saying, “When my family emigrated to Massachusetts, they did so with a firm belief in the fundamental power of education as an equal opportunity institution.”
Wong, a Republican, cited his work on helping local public school projects move forward. He lobbied to secure 53 percent, or $10 million, of total project funding from the MSBA for extensive refurbishments to the 47-year-old Augustine J. Belmonte Middle School in Saugus, including the painting of all walls and ceilings, the addition of new security devices, fire sprinklers and alarms, and the installation of energy-efficient windows to promote conservation heating.
Migliore this week announced her advocacy plans on behalf of women if she is elected to the Legislature. She said will create a women’s working group to discuss current legislation and how it will impact women in the 9th Essex District.
“Fighting for women’s rights is deeply personal to me. I will not take a backseat to pay equity legislation. I will take a lead role in fighting for the women and families in my district by advocating for equal pay for equal work and paid family medical leave,” Migliore said.
She vowed to take the lead on seeking state money to pay for all-day free kindergarten and
pre-kindergarten for municipalities.
Migliore, a ‘cum laude’ graduate of Wellesley College, has mentored young girls at Girls Inc., a nonprofit in Lynn.
Wong is a three-term legislator and 41-year town resident as well as a third-generation business owner of the Kowloon Restaurant on Route 1.
Gina Pires, president of the Lynnhurst PTO in Saugus, praised Wong’s efforts since 2010 working in the Legislature to secure $60,000 to fund the FIRST Robotics program and a district-wide enrichment initiative for young engineers; $150,000 in philanthropic donations for Saugus schools and he chaired the Saugus Business Education Collaborative’s (SBEC) Adopt-a-School program.
Wong has been endorsed by the Saugus Republican Town Committee, with the committee citing his perfect voting record in the Legislature. The committee also endorsed Essex County Sheriff’s candidate Anne Manning-Martin, a Peabody Republican, citing her work with substance abuse treatment programs as Deputy Superintendent with the Massachusetts Department of Correction.
During her tenure in U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton’s office, Migliore served as a liaison to the Department of Labor and helped ensure that women in the 6th Congressional District were treated equally and paid fairly.
Her recent endorsements include the Massachusetts chapter of the National Organization for Women), NARAL Pro Choice, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus. She also enjoys the support of local Democrats.
“I’m glad to have the support of Sen. (Thomas M.) McGee and state Reps Brendan Crighton and Dan Cahill. They are amazing leaders for the city of Lynn and I look forward to working with them to improve Lynnfield Street, maintain vital medical services at the site of Union Hospital and preserve our ponds and our woods, ”said Migliore.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at tjourgensen@itemlive.com.