Democrats, Republicans Square Off in First Debate
It was a big week in the race for U.S. Senate, with both Republican and Democratic candidates facing off for the first time in a debate Wednesday night. Candidates running in the April primary faced each other in two 30-minute debates in an event sponsored by the Boston Media Consortium and held at the WCVB-TV, Channel 5 studios in Needham. Congressmen Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) and Edward Markey (D-Malden) went several rounds on the topic of health care reform in the first debate between the two Democrats. The two also sparred over bank bailouts. Write-in Democratic candidate Brett Rhyne was not at the debate. Republicans also faced each other for the first time in their own debate immediately following Lynch and Markey. Candidates Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk), former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez and former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan leaned on their diverse backgrounds to explain positions on issues ranging from the economy and debt reduction to gay marriage. The candidates are scheduled to meet up again Monday night in the second set of debates at UMass Lowell. Markey, Sullivan lead in the polls This week a WBUR Poll found Markey and Sullivan leading in their respective Democratic and Republican primary fields. The results of the poll showed Markey had an 11-point edge (35 percent to 24 percent) over Lynch. Sullivan, of Abington, leads the Republican candidates with 28 percent, followed by Winslow at 10 percent and Gomez with 8 percent. April 10 deadline for voter registration, party affiliation changes The last day to register to vote, change a voting address or change party affiliation for the April 30 primary is Wednesday, April 10. Not sure where or how to register to vote or change party affiliation? Here’s everything you need to know, courtesy of Secretary of State William Galvin’s office. The primary election is slated for April 30, with the general election to take place June 25. South End Patch
Lynch, Markey Hit the Road, Republicans Get Started
With only days to go before nomination papers are due in the race for U.S. Senate, last week was a busy one for announced and potential candidates looking to fill the seat left vacant by John Kerry’s appointment to Secretary of State. The Republican field lost one prominent candidate, and another generated a bit of controversy. On the Democratic side, Congressmen Edward Markey (D-Malden) and Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) have been working through their pre-primary debate schedule and campaigning across the state. Democrats Markey and Lynch hit the roadBoth Democratic candidates hit the road again last week from Pittsfield to Salem, meeting with residents and attending fundraisers. Markey had campaign stops in Taunton, Fall River, Lowell and Pittsfield, to name a few. On Thursday, Lynch spoke to the Boston Firefighters Local 718. He also had campaign stops in several communities, including Lynn, Methuen, Peabody and Salem. Jamaica Plain is a territory within the bounds of Lynch’s seat, the MA 8th. On Wednesday, Lynch and Markey signed a deal to limit outside groups from producing ads during the Democratic Primary. The deal is based on a similar pledge signed by Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren during the 2012 Senate Race. Also last week, Lynch received the endorsement of the 75,000 member Massachusetts Building Trades Council. Markey was endorsed by Daily Kos. Last week also saw a new poll released in the U.S. Senate race. Conducted by WBUR/MassINC, the poll showed Markey holding a slim 38 percent to 31 percent lead over Lynch in the primary, with 26 percent saying they’re still unsure who they will vote for. The poll also showed that either Democratic candidate would hold a lead over a generic Republican. Bielat drops out of Republican primary raceRepublican Sean Bielat said Wednesday that while he thought he could run a strong campaign, the timing wasn’t right for him to run, according to an Associated Press report. He previously ran for Congress twice – against Barney Frank and Joe Kennedy III, who he lost to in November. Bielat had sought donations to run last weekend and even filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. The field of Republican candidates could be crowded if no one pulls out of a potential run and if everyone who pulled papers gets them in by the deadline. Candidates have until Wednesday, Feb. 27 to gather the 10,000 certified signatures needed to appear on the April 30 primary ballot. The special election is June 25. No papers have been submitted as of Feb. 21 according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Already in the running are State Rep. Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk), former Nantucket selectman and county commissioner Douglas Bennett and former Navy Seal […]