Fifth Congressional Candidates will Participate in a Pre-Primary Forum
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Nine of the 10 Democratic and Republican candidates in the primary election for the vacant Fifth Congressional District seat have agreed to participate in a candidates’ forum Sunday, Sept. 29, sponsored by the Leagues of Women Voters in Sudbury, Wayland and Weston.
The forum will be at the Wayland Middle School, 201 Main St. in Wayland, from 2-4 p.m. It is free and open to the public. All seven of the Democratic candidates have told the Leagues they will attend. They are William Brownsberger, Katherine Clark, Peter Koutoujian, Martin Long, Paul John Maisano, Carl Sciortino and Karen Spilka.
Two of the three Republicans on the ballot will participate, Michael Stopa and Tom Tierney. The third Republican, Frank Addivinola, has a conflicting long-standing professional appointment which he has been unable to reschedule, his campaign said.
All 10 candidates have qualified for the ballot in the Democratic and Republican primary election, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15. Voters enrolled in the Democratic or Republican parties may vote using their party’s ballot. Unenrolled voters may choose either ballot in the primary election.
The final election for the Congressional seat will be Dec. 10. The deadline to register to vote in the primary election is Sept. 25; the deadline to register to vote in the general election is Nov. 20.
The Fifth Congressional District had been represented by Edward Markey, and the seat became vacant when Markey was elected to the U.S. Senate in June.
The League will have all the candidates on stage together, answering the same questions. Questions have been developed by a League committee; because of the large field of candidates and limited time, no questions will be taken from the audience.
Jo-Ann Berry, co-chair of the Acton Area League, which is not in the district, will be moderator for the forum.
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization and does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
Note to editors: Reporters and photographers are welcome to cover this event.