Challengers Attack Moulton's Record With Pelosi In Second Debate

GLOUCESTER, MA — Seth Moulton's two challengers in next month's Democratic primary once again attacked the three-term U.S. Representative's record and his attempts to oust Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House.

"The women in this district did not feel represented," Jamie Zahlaway Belsito, of Topsfield, said of Moulton's 2018 bid to replace Pelosi. "It was a white man calling out a woman who had put her blood, sweat and tears to get to the place where she was at."

Wednesday's debate was the second of four schedule debates and came on the heels of Sunday's debate in Nahant. The virtual debate was broadcast from a Gloucester studio and moderated by Salem News Editor David Olson. The winner of the Sept. 1 primary will face Republican John Paul Moran, a Bilerica businessman, in November's general election.

Angus McQuilken, Moulton's other challenger, also jumped on Moulton for his efforts to remove Pelosi. "Trying to oust the first woman ever to hold the position of speaker of the House of the United States out of ego and ambition was simply the wrong priority," he said.

Moulton again said he and Pelosi have put their rift in the past, noting he has voted for her as speaker three times, including after they reached an agreement following the 2018 spat. "Pelosi has clearly moved beyond this leadership fight. I've moved beyond it," Moulton said. "The only people who want to drag us backward into it are my opponents."

For more on Wednesday's debate, see the Salem News.