A debate has been scheduled in the state’s U.S. Senate race pitting Democratic incumbent Sen. Edward Markey against Republican challenger Kevin O’Connor.
GBH News will host the debate at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5, at the station’s studio in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston following social distancing guidelines.
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O’Connor faces a daunting challenge in a state that leans heavily Democratic. There are currently no Republican members of the state’s congressional delegation.
The 74-year-old Markey defeated his 39-year-old challenger U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III in a hard-fought Democratic primary, harnessing support from progressive leaders to overcome a challenge from a younger rival and member of America’s most famous political family.
Markey has served for decades in Congress, first in the House and later in the Senate.
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O’Connor defeated fellow Republican Shiva Ayyadurai in the Massachusetts GOP Senate primary. O’Connor, a lawyer, pitched himself as a candidate who can help clean house in Washington.
If elected, the father of four said he would be a champion for education and stand up to “the deficit spenders in both parties,” promote affordable health care and a sustainable environment, and support a peace through strength foreign policy.
The election is Nov. 3, although voters will be able to cast ballots ahead of Election Day using mail-in ballots, early voting polling locations and drop boxes in many communities.
