Item Photo By OWEN O’ROURKE
Jennifer Migliore, who is runnning for state rep against Donald Wong, stops to chat with Sheri Habib, middle, and her mom, Sharmin Habib, in the children’s room at the Saugus Library.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — The race for the 9th Essex District is now officially set. Jennifer Migliore has stepped down as a district representative for Congressman Seth Moulton and is ready to face incumbent Donald Wong.
“I want to thank Congressman Seth Moulton for the opportunity to serve the constituents of the Sixth Congressional District, which includes the communities of my hometown of Saugus, as well as the communities of Lynn and Wakefield,” said Migliore, who officially stepped down from her job in Moulton’s office on Jan. 6.
Wong plans to announce his re-election bid within a month.
“I have just been too busy at the State House to go campaigning as of yet,” he said. “I look forward to running for re-election.” Wong said.
Migliore thanked Moulton for providing her with an opportunity to learn.
“It was an honor to work closely with the Congressman, who is an incredible leader and mentor to me,” she said. “He is the new generation of leadership on Capitol Hill and I will work tirelessly to become the new generation of leadership on Beacon Hill.”
“Jen has been a great part of my team over the past year and during my 2014 campaign,” Moulton said. “She also works hard every day, and I know she’ll continue to do so as she works to earn the votes of the constituents of the 9th Essex District.”
A lifelong resident of Saugus, Migliore attended high school at The Governor’s Academy. She graduated cum laude from Wellesley College with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and American Studies.
Wong says there is still much to do in Saugus.
““There are a lot of things I have started and not finished yet,” he said. “In Saugus, one of the main things is the high school (project),” Wong said. “I would like to see the money allocated for that. We’re still working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.”
Wong said he has been attending every meeting, talking with the treasurer and others on the board.
“I think I have accomplished a lot and have brought money and services to the community and across the state,” Wong said.
Wong said that among what he considers to be his accomplishments are that he was one of 30 to vote against the IT Tax last year. 130 voted in favor of the tax and it then became a bill, he said.
“Myself and the others (who voted against it) went across the state to say why it was bad,” he said. “Within 90 days we got a tax, that was on the books, taken off.”
“I work across the aisle,” Wong said. “When I came up the first time five years ago, I said I’m up here, not for the Republican race, not for the Democratic race.
I’m here for the human race. I work with both parties.”
Wong said he is also proud of his involvement in bringing $10 million to the Belmonte Middle School rehabilitation project, in addition to getting funds to fix a fence near Saugus High School on two separate occasions. He is also completing projects related to the $30,000 Saugus schools will receive for teaching robotics in the near future.
“I want to get Saugus involved,” Wong said. “Kids who get involved and excel in robotics, when they graduate, they are (prepared) for (more) jobs. The future is our kids.”
Over the next several weeks, Migliore will launch a listening tour during which she will hold events and visit with voters in the communities of Lynn, Saugus, and Wakefield.
“My team and I are working on launching a listening tour, which will include probably one- to two-hour office hours, essentially,” Migliore said.
The events will be held at popular places, such as the senior center or a local breakfast restaurant, she said.
“The purpose of the listening tour is for constituents to have their voices heard,” Migliore said. “I want them to know they can call me and talk to me about what really matters.”
Though she is getting an early jump, her campaign has already raised $22,000 in under 30 days, she said.
“It shows how excited people are for my candidacy and for a new generation of leadership on Beacon Hill,” Migliore said.
Migliore said she plans to be a vocal advocate for the district and will stand up for residents on key issues, including the potential closing of Union Hospital. She attended last Thursday’s public hearing to testify against the discontinuance of services, which she said could have devastating economic and public health consequences for North Shore residents.
“People should vote for me because I’m a dynamic young leader who is willing to work really hard for the constituents of the 9th Essex District,” Migliore said.