Race for the Mass. Senate Seat

The Democratic Senate Debate - Oct. 26, 2009

The four Democratic candidates for US Senate–Michael Capuano, Martha Coakley, Alan Khazei and Stephen Pagliuca–square off in a LIVE televised debate from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Meet the Candidates for US Senate

Scott Brown (R)

State Sen. Scott Brown (R-Wrentham) is painting himself as a Washington outsider who would bring balance to Massachusetts' all-Democratic delegation. Brown opposes the proposed health care 'public option,' and in the State House recently voted against a bill to allow Gov. Patrick to appoint an interim senator. He has been critical of both Beacon Hill and Washington Democrats for what he describes as "out of control spending."

Michael Capuano (D)

Michael Capuano succeeded Joe Kennedy in the House. He is now portraying himself as a an experienced liberal with years of Washington experience and boasts that his legislative record most closely resembles that of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. While Capuano is well-known in Washington and his own district, he faces the challenge of boosting his profile across the state.

Martha Coakley (D)

Since becoming attorney general in 2006, Coakley has successfully prosecuted Big Dig contractors, resulting in millions in fines, and most recently challenged the federal Defense of Marriage Act as discriminatory and unconstitutional. She supports the public option as part of national health care reform and has called for greater oversight of the financial industry. Coakley is the only candidate to win statewide office.

Alan Khazei (D)

Alan Khazei is the co-founder and former CEO of the national service organiation City Year and the CEO of Be The Change, a community-based non-profit. As a political newcomer, Khazei has demonstrated an impressive fundraising ability early in his campaign. The social entrepreneur has promised to focus his campaign on job creation and health care reform that includes a public option.

Stephen Pagliuca  (D)

 Venture capitalist and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca paints himself as a “progressive Democrat” whose years of business experience make him “uniquely qualified” to represent Massachusetts in the US Senate. His estimated $400 million in personal wealth makes him the best-financed candidate in the race. He supports the public option as part of national health care reform, stronger regulation for the financial system and is skeptical about sending more troops into Afghanistan. Given his history of supporting Republican candidates, Pagliuca's biggest challenge could be convincing voters that he really is a Democrat.
 

Jack E. Robinson (R)

This is Jack E. Robinson III's second run for the US Senate. In 2000, he unsuccessfully challenged the late Senator Ted Kennedy, capturing only 13 % of the vote. Now, Robinson claims his experience as a businessman and a lawyer make him a unique problem-solver who is qualified to tackle the issues facing Washington like taxes, the economy, and health care.

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