Gary Christenson

Gary Christenson
Birthplace	Malden, Massachusetts, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, public servant
Title	Mayor of Malden, Massachusetts
Known for	Mayor of Malden, Massachusetts

Gary Christenson is an American politician who has served as the mayor of Malden, Massachusetts, since first winning election to the office. A fixture of municipal governance in the greater Boston area, Christenson has been elected to four consecutive four-year terms as mayor, most recently winning reelection in November 2023. His tenure has been marked by engagement with federal environmental initiatives, regional community-building efforts, and sustained electoral support from Malden's residents. Christenson has collaborated with neighboring municipal leaders on public campaigns promoting civic values and has worked with federal agencies on infrastructure projects affecting public health in his city.

Career

Mayoral Elections

Gary Christenson has demonstrated consistent electoral success in Malden's municipal elections. In the November 5, 2019, general election, Christenson won a third term as mayor of Malden, defeating challenger John Matheson by approximately 1,500 votes. The margin of victory indicated a strong base of support among Malden voters, who chose to continue his leadership for another four-year term.

In November 2023, Christenson ran for and won a fourth consecutive four-year term as mayor of Malden. According to unofficial results from the Tuesday municipal election, Christenson was reelected, further extending his service as the city's chief executive. His repeated reelections have made him one of the longer-serving mayors in recent Malden history.

Environmental and Infrastructure Initiatives

A significant aspect of Christenson's administration has been engagement with environmental and public health infrastructure projects. On May 20, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) visited lead pipe removal sites in the City of Malden. The EPA's visit was conducted in partnership with Mayor Christenson, highlighting the city's efforts to address lead contamination in its water infrastructure. The lead pipe removal initiative is part of broader federal efforts to reduce lead exposure in municipal water systems across the United States. Christenson's participation in the EPA visit underscored the city's commitment to modernizing its water infrastructure and protecting public health.

The EPA's engagement with Malden was part of the agency's wider New England regional outreach, conducted from its Boston office. The collaboration between the federal agency and the city government reflected an alignment between local and national priorities regarding safe drinking water and infrastructure investment.

Regional Collaboration and Community Initiatives

Christenson has been active in regional collaborations with leaders of neighboring municipalities in the greater Boston area. In September 2024, Christenson joined Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn of Medford, Mayor Jen Grigoraitis, Town Manager Dennis Sheehan, and other municipal leaders in a joint public initiative encouraging residents to "Be Kind" during the fall season. The campaign, announced from the desks of multiple municipal leaders, represented a coordinated effort among several communities to promote civic engagement, neighborliness, and positive community values.

This type of inter-municipal collaboration reflects a broader trend in Massachusetts local government, where neighboring cities and towns often coordinate on shared messaging, public safety campaigns, and community-building efforts. Christenson's participation in such initiatives indicates his role not only as Malden's chief executive but also as a participant in regional governance networks across the greater Boston area.

Tenure and Administration

Based on his election to a third term in 2019 and a fourth term in 2023, Christenson's continuous service as mayor of Malden spans well over a decade. His first election preceded the 2019 contest, as the 2019 race was described as his bid for a "third term." Throughout his time in office, his administration has dealt with a range of municipal issues common to cities in the greater Boston metropolitan area, including infrastructure maintenance, environmental compliance, and community relations.

Malden, a city located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, approximately five miles north of downtown Boston, has a diverse population and faces many of the governance challenges typical of densely populated urban communities in New England. As mayor, Christenson serves as the city's chief executive officer, responsible for overseeing municipal departments, managing the city's budget, and representing Malden in dealings with state and federal agencies.

Recognition

Christenson's sustained electoral success is itself a form of public recognition, having been chosen by Malden voters to serve four consecutive terms as mayor. His collaboration with federal agencies, including the EPA, on public health infrastructure projects has brought attention to Malden's efforts in lead pipe remediation and environmental stewardship.

His involvement in the multi-community "Be Kind" campaign alongside other municipal leaders in the greater Boston area further reflects his standing among regional peers in Massachusetts local government.