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University of Massachusetts Amherst graduate Pat Malone, won the Democratic primary for state representative in the 8th Worcester District on Sept. 4, 2018
By DUSTY CHRISTENSEN - Staff Writer
On Tuesday, Malone came a step closer to fulfilling those plans when he won the Democratic nomination in a two-way race in the 8th Worcester District, which includes the Worcester County towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Millville and Uxbridge. The seat has been held since 2010 by Republican Kevin Kuros, who did not seek re-election this year.
Malone studied economics and political science at UMass Amherst and said he began seeing the needs of his district during trips home to Uxbridge. He said the state’s underfunding of public schools was hurting his hometown district’s small towns, and so he decided to graduate early this winter to join the race for state representative.
“I figured there is some common sense solutions to address these issues,” he said. “I figured I would throw my hat in and be the guy to solve them.”
In addition to fixing the state's school funding formula, Malone is running on a platform of improving infrastructure and protecting the environment.
This is Malone’s first time running for political office, though oddly it is not the first time he has won an election.
“I was elected to the Student Government Association Senate,” Malone said of his time at UMass Amherst. “But that doesn’t really count because I received two write-ins without my knowledge.”
In November’s general election, Malone will face Michael Soter, a Republican businessman who currently serves as the chairman of the Bellingham Select Board.
Asked what his pitch is to voters, Malone said that plenty of lawmakers on Beacon Hill have years of experience but have yet to solve problems like the underfunding of public schools.
“I think people are very ready for a change, they’re ready for new blood,” Malone said. “Sometimes an old house needs a new coat of paint.”
Dusty Christensen can be reached at dchristensen@gazettenet.com [1].
News Type:
- Alumni News