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Portrait of Paul DonatoPhoto: malegislature.gov

MA · Officeholder

Paul Donato

DState Representative · District 35th Middlesex

On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: Massachusetts House 35th Middlesex

Biography

Paul Donato is a Democratic state representative from Medford who has represented the 35th Middlesex District since 2001 and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2][3] Before joining the House he served as mayor of Medford from 1980 to 1985.[4]

Donato attended Medford High School and the University of Massachusetts at Boston, according to his legislative biography.[4] He served on the Medford School Committee from 1972 to 1975 and on the Medford City Council from 1976 to 1985 and again from 1996 to 2001, serving as council president in 1999-2000.[4] He was Medford's deputy mayor in 1978-1979 and its mayor from 1980 to 1985.[4] Ballotpedia says he also chaired the Medford Democratic City Committee.[1]

Donato has served in the Massachusetts House since 2001 and lists his profession as legislator and manufacturers' representative.[4] He serves on the House Committee on Rules and the Joint Committees on Revenue and on Rules.[5] His biography lists him as the author of the state's bullying bill and as a member of the Special Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and the Special Commission on Municipal Relief.[4]

  1. 1.Paul Donato Sr. - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
  2. 2.Massachusetts House of Representatives elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
  3. 3.Representative Paul J. Donato - Massachusetts Legislature · Massachusetts Legislature Official record
  4. 4.Representative Paul J. Donato - Biography - Massachusetts Legislature · Massachusetts Legislature Official record
  5. 5.Representative Paul J. Donato - Committees - Massachusetts Legislature · Massachusetts Legislature Official record

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.

Massachusetts House 35th Middlesex

Paul Donato is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Massachusetts House 35th Middlesex as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.

Ballotpedia ↗

Other candidates for this seat

James SeibelCandidateRMassachusetts House 35th MiddlesexMassachusetts

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted with most of their party on all 107 party-divided votes on file.

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

H5595 · MA HOUSE

An Act prioritizing patient access to care

YesVOTED

Motion: On Engrossment

Passed 119–33·Substantive·Jul 22, 2026Roll call ↗
H5562 · MA HOUSE

An Act relative to economic development in the commonwealth

YesVOTED

Motion: On passing to be engrossed as amended

Passed 148–2·Substantive·Jul 8, 2026Roll call ↗
H5562 · MA HOUSE

An Act relative to economic development in the commonwealth

YesVOTED

Motion: On adoption of consolidated amendment A

Passed 145–6·Substantive·Jul 8, 2026Roll call ↗
H5555 · MA HOUSE

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements

YesVOTED

Motion: On Enactment Land Taking

Passed 142–6·Substantive·Jul 1, 2026Roll call ↗
H5555 · MA HOUSE

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements

YesVOTED

Motion: On acceptance of conference report

Passed 142–6·Substantive·Jul 1, 2026Roll call ↗
H5493 · MA HOUSE

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

YesVOTED

Motion: On passing to be engrossed

Passed 154–2·Substantive·Jun 10, 2026Roll call ↗
H5493 · MA HOUSE

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

NoVOTED

Motion: On adoption of amendment #12

Amends the bill to bar distribution of the $22.5 million No Cost Call Trust Fund transfer until the budget secretary presents a plan to keep annual spending from the item under $10 million. (AI-written)

Failed 28–128·Substantive·Jun 10, 2026Roll call ↗
S2726 · MA HOUSE

An Act regarding free expression

YesVOTED

Motion: On passing to be engrossed, as amended

Passed 153–3·Substantive·Jun 10, 2026Roll call ↗
S2726 · MA HOUSE

An Act regarding free expression

NoVOTED

Motion: On adoption of amendment #4

Amends the bill to let school committees remove school library materials only after a public hearing and a finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that the material has no educational, literary, artistic, personal or social value or is not age appropriate for any student. (AI-written)

Failed 23–133·Substantive·Jun 10, 2026Roll call ↗
S2726 · MA HOUSE

An Act regarding free expression

NoVOTED

Motion: On adoption of amendment #3

Failed 2–154·Substantive·Jun 10, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 165 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.