Senate Candidates Cast Different Votes On Legislative Audit

MALDEN, MA — Candidates running for the open 5th Middlesex State Senate seat cast different votes in recent days related to a voter-approved audit of the Massachusetts Legislature.

State Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian voted earlier this month in favor of a House of Representatives bill addressing implementation of a 2024 ballot question authorizing State Auditor Diana DiZoglio to audit the Legislature. However, the bill would reportedly limit the scope of the audit to only select records chosen by the Legislature.

One week later, Malden City Councilors Carey McDonald and Ryan O'Malley, both candidates for the State Senate seat, voted in favor of a Malden City Council resolution calling on the Legislature to implement the ballot initiative approved by voters last year without the limitations proposed by the House. The resolution passed unanimously.

Massachusetts voters approved Question 1 in November 2024 with more than 71 percent support. The ballot measure authorized the state auditor to conduct an audit of the Legislature without inhibition.

Since then, DiZoglio and legislative leaders have disagreed over how the measure should be implemented, with the dispute now before the courts.

The Malden City Council and Reading Select Board have approved resolutions supporting implementation of the ballot question. The Melrose City Council is expected to consider a similar resolution Monday night.

Lipper-Garabedian announced her candidacy for the open Senate seat in February. The Melrose Democrat has represented the 32nd Middlesex District in the Massachusetts House since 2020 and previously served on the Melrose City Council.

McDonald entered the race in April. The nonprofit executive is serving their second term as a Malden City Councillor-at-Large after first being elected in 2021.

O'Malley announced his candidacy in May. He is serving his second term as a Malden City Councillor and previously worked as a legislative aide in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

The candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination for the 5th Middlesex District seat currently held by State Sen. Jason Lewis, who announced he will not seek reelection. The district includes Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield and Winchester.

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