Party: RepublicanAge: 32Family: UnmarriedProfession: Owner and creative director of Medley Creative Group, a digital marketing and design firmEducation: Beverly High SchoolElected office experience: NoneCommunity leadership experience: President of the Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce, president of Beverly Homecoming, vice president of Beverly 400+, vice president of Beverly Farms Improvement Society, director of the West Beach Corporation, president of the Scholarship Trust For Addiction Recovery Services, vice president of the North of Boston Arts Center, Advisory Committee member for The Cabot Theatre
Medley Long III said his extensive list of community service roles and leadership positions has made him a proven advocate for small businesses and voters.
“Bringing back to what Jerry Parisella offered when he was state rep, that compassionate, pragmatic leadership that he always provided with everyone in Beverly and Wenham, I want to carry that forward,” Long told The Salem News. “I think I have already done it.”
Long said he is the only candidate in the special election for the 6th Essex District who has advocated for small businesses on Beacon Hill already, noting he spoke before the Joint Committee on Workforce and Labor as president of the Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce.
He was named the youngest business owner in Beverly when he began his web design and marketing company Medley Creative Group at age 18, a week after he graduated from Beverly High School.
He plans to help bring down the cost of living without raising taxes, noting affordability is the issue voters lament about the most when he speaks to them.
“It’s driving businesses out. It’s driving people out. Businesses would rather go 20 miles north to New Hampshire or states that are not taxing the way we are here,” Long said. “My main focus is affordability, small business-friendly practices and affordable taxes.”
Long also aims to improve transparency and supports auditing the legislature, in line with the 71% of voters who voted in favor of granting the State Auditor this power in November.
He said growing up in Beverly gives him a unique perspective not shared by the other two candidates.
“I’m the only one that knows what it’s like to go to Beverly Public Schools and to truly grow up here as a child,” he said. “That sense of pride (of growing up here), I think that does matter to people.”
Long is the sole Republican candidate in the race and won’t have to face a primary, unlike Democrats Todd Rotondo and Hannah Bowen.
Contact Caroline Enos at CEnos@northofboston.com.