Students Host Debate For 4th Congressional District Candidates

BROOKLINE, MA — A coalition of students from across the Massachusetts Fourth Congressional District is hosting a debate for the nine Democratic candidates running for the seat that Rep. Joe Kennedy is preparing to leave as he challenges Sen. Edward Markey in a separate race.

The debate will be held on Zoom from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 26 and live-streamed to Facebook and Instagram Live.

The group, the Students of MA-04, is hoping the debate will help encourage students to become more civically engaged.

"Students and all young people have a huge stake in our current political moment: The decisions being made in Washington D.C. today will set the course of our lives for years to come," said Mark Lannigan, a Tufts University student, and co-leader of the coalition, in a statement. "That’s why we banded together with students across the district to create a space for young people to hear from candidates."

The group said they plan to center the debate around topics that are close to young people - from the student loans to gun control, in addition to district-related questions.

"It’s important that we address questions that are not only important to the general public, but also ones that are relevant to our student audience. We’re really trying to make sure we have a wide range for our audience," Social Media Director and Newton South High School graduate Izzy Klein said.

Audience members may also submit their questions through the RSVP form on the Student of MA-04 website.

The Fourth Congressional District includes parts of Bristol, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester counties. Before Kennedy was elected in 2012, Barney Frank held the seat from 1981 until Kennedy took over.

Several candidates, including Tom Shack, of Brookline, Nick Matthew, of Somerville, Herb Robinson, of Newton have stepped out of the race.

The list of Democratic candidates left:

• Jake Auchincloss, of Newton
• Dave Cavell, of Brookline
• Becky Grossman, of Newton
• Alan Khazei, of Brookline
• Ihssane Leckey, of Brookline
• Natalia Linos, of Brookline
• Jesse Mermell, of Brookline
• Ben Sigel, of Brookline
• Chris Zannetos, of Wellesley

The Republican candidates are Julie Hall, of Attleboro and David Rosa.

Related:

Students of MA-04 Debate and information on how to register and how to submit a question.

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