Democratic state representative candidate Pete Meaney faces a general election challenge against incumbent Republican Donald Wong following a primary victory, while police records show Meaney has a history of two drunk driving arrests involving a crash, hostility toward responding officers, and a suspended license. The Boston Herald reported that the candidate, who runs a dental practice in Lynn and won the Democratic primary over Zosia Jean VanMeter with 69.1% of the vote, confronts these disclosures as he prepares for the November 3 ballot.
Meaney addressed the newly surfaced police reports through a statement provided to the Boston Herald. He stated that he lost his father, a Lynn firefighter, to alcoholism, and that he takes responsibility for his own past words and actions that fell short of the respect owed to public servants.
Police Records Detail Meaney Arrests in 2018 and 2019
Salem Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Danvers barracks records outline two distinct driving under the influence incidents from 2018 and 2019. The first arrest occurred on September 2018 when Salem police officers responded to Boston Street and found a Kia Soul embedded in the foundation of a house. Officer Kristina Monk noted in the police report that Meaney wore beach attire, showed signs of heavy intoxication, and possessed a double-edged knife.
During the 2018 stop, Meaney directed profanities at responding officers, used derogatory language toward Officer Monk, and made comments disparaging female police officers. Police reports indicate that officers had to subdue him after he evaded attempts to place him in handcuffs.
Just over a year later, on October 31, 2019, a second arrest took place in Peabody. State Police Trooper Ronald Baker observed Meaney run through a stop light on Halloween night. Trooper Baker stated in the report that Meaney showed clear signs of intoxication, possessed a strong odor of alcohol, and refused a breathalyzer test while driving with a license that remained suspended from his prior arrest.
Meaney Promotes Public Safety Policies Before General Election
Meaney features public safety and substance abuse policy prominently on his official campaign website, where he advocates for supporting police officers and funding youth programs. His campaign platform highlights his family history with substance use, noting the loss of his father and arguing that communities need long-term, regional policy solutions to address mental health and addiction crises.
The upcoming November 3 general election pits Meaney against incumbent Representative Donald Wong in the race to represent the North Shore district. While primary voters selected Meaney over Zosia Jean VanMeter, the newly detailed court and police records introduce past legal challenges directly into the final months of the campaign.
Pete Meaney Wins Primary Despite Multiple OUI Charges
Pete Meaney won the Democratic primary election over challenger Zosia Jean VanMeter with 69.1% of the vote compared to VanMeter’s 30.9%.
Salem police charged Meaney with operating under the influence of liquor, resisting arrest, carrying a dangerous weapon, and a marked lanes violation after his vehicle crashed into a house on Boston Street.
On Halloween night in 2019, a Massachusetts State Police trooper observed Meaney run through a stop light in Peabody while driving with a suspended license, leading to a second OUI arrest after he refused a breathalyzer test.
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