The five Democratic candidates running for the 5th District seat of former Rep. Ed Markey, who was sworn in to the U.S. Senate today, appeared at Pierce House on July 11.
This was the first time that the candidates—State Senators Will Brownsberger, Katherine Clark and Karen Spilka, State Representative Carl Sciortino, and Sheriff Peter Koutoujian—have appeared together. Lincoln Democratic Town Committee chair Gary Davis said the overflow crowd included attendees from Belmont, Cambridge, Lexington, Sudbury, Waltham, Wayland, and Weston as well as Lincoln.
“There were only slight differences between candidates in overall philosophy,” Davis said in a press release. “Most described themselves as progressives advocating a balanced and fair economy, promotion of 21st-century jobs in Massachusetts, a priority for high-quality education, the need for action on climate change, preservation and enhancement of women’s and family rights and protections, Social Security and services for seniors, and support for the Affordable Care Act. All the candidates illustrated a record of success and public service advocacy in their legislative and professional rolls. Likewise, all indicated their recognition of current Congressional dysfunction and obstruction, and made commitments to take an aggressive roll in resolution and bipartisan outreach while protecting progressive values.”
The primary will be held on October 15 and the special election will take place on December 10.