Republican congressional candidate Sean Bielat and Democratic opponent Joseph Kennedy III squared off on issues revolving around job growth and each other’s political experience in the first debate for the Fourth District congressional seat.
During the debate, which was taped on Thursday and aired on WCVB-TV’s “On the Record” on Sunday, the candidates spent 30 minutes delving deeper into issues that resonate with Massachusetts voters
Questions regarding the candidates’ qualifications and Bielat’s outstanding debt from his 2010 run against U.S. Rep. Barney Frank dominated the debate.
WCVB co-anchor and moderator Ed Harding’s question on the qualifications of the two candidates drew the most contention.
Bielat said his opponent does not have the qualifications to be elected to the House of Representatives.
“I don’t think in any other state in any other district people would consider you qualified for this office,” he said.
In the past, the Bielat campaign has accused Kennedy for relying on his family history and well known name to achieve success, according to an open letter the Bielat campaign sent to Kennedy on Sept. 16.
The letter said Kennedy’s request for three non-live debates is insufficient.
Kennedy said he is proud of his family, but has the individual credentials to hold office.
“I am grateful for all of the support that I’ve gotten,” he said during the debate. “I’m honored by my family legacy of public service and what they have done, but from day one, it’s been my name on the ballot.”
Further issues arose when co-moderator Janet Wu asked Bielat about $30,000 in outstanding debts from his 2010 campaign for the fourth district seat.
“One of [the debts] we weren’t contractually obligated to,” Bielat said during the debate. “The second one we’re in dispute with because [the debtors] were responsible for so many of the filing errors that were made on our F.E.C. returns, so that’s an ongoing dispute.”
The Bielat campaign released a statement the night before the pre-taped debate aired, saying that Bielat “will not reward poor performance and potentially ethically questionable behavior by asking supporters to donate their hard-earned dollars.”
Kennedy said during the debate the outstanding debt is something his opponent needs to answer.
“I think the way that you run a campaign is reflective of the way you run the government,” he said.
The two candidates also discussed job growth in Massachusetts.
Kennedy said Massachusetts residents do not have enough access to employment opportunities.
“It’s a feeling for so many people out there, that they’re not getting that access to opportunity and their fair shake,” he said.
Bielat said businesses will create jobs — not government policies.
Both candidates said they are against the “right to die” question on the November ballot, as well as the medical use of marijuana.
Kennedy said the regulation of medical marijuana in states that have adopted it has not been done well.
“As a prosecutor, I just don’t think that the way that it’s actually been enacted does it adequately in order to secure protection,” he said.
The candidates also answered questions on government’s role in creating jobs, addressing Iran’s nuclear development and the future of Medicare.
Bielat said Kennedy needs to be more open with voters.
“The voters deserve to hear more from the candidates to make the most qualified decision,” he said. “With so few qualifications for office, Joe Kennedy needs to explain to voters why he thinks he is ready to represent them.”
Neither campaign could be reached for further comment on the issue by press time.
Two more debates are planned for the fourth district seat. The next debate, hosted by MassINC and Commonwealth Magazine, is scheduled for Oct. 10 at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
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