Local Residents React to Democratic Debate

Fielding questions on everything from the economy and jobs to women’s healthcare and marijuana legalization, the six Democratic candidates vying to take on Republican incumbent Scott Brown in next year’s U.S. Senate race engaged in a debate Tuesday night at UMass-Lowell.

Outside Durgin Hall prior to the debate, sign-holders were plentiful for candidates Elizabeth Warren and Brookline’s Alan Khazei, while smaller contingents were on hand to support Tom Conroy, Bob Massie, Marisa DeFranco and Herb Robinson.

Following the debate, Weston resident Peter Hill said he had gone into the debate undecided which candidate to favor. He liked what he heard from several of them, and had hoped to ask a question on divorce and getting dads back into kids’ lives.

“I wanted to hear what the candidates had to say, I am curious about all of them,” he said.

Ultimately, Hill said he believes the race will come down to Khazei and Warren, and that not enough people know about Conroy.

“The state rep had very interesting answers,” he said.

At least three Wayland residents and one former resident made the trek to Lowell to support Conroy, a third-term state representative. Michael Bate said he has been a longtime supporter of Conroy, calling him the most qualified candidate at last night’s debate.

"He has the broadest experience of everyone — he worked in foreign policy, he’s been an adviser for 29 state senators,” Bate said. “Unlike the others, he won’t run for office and then run.” 

Sheila Loayza, also of Wayland, said she had planned to vote for another candidate when Conroy first ran for state rep, but after meeting Conroy, changed her mind and has been a supporter since. 

“He’s very accessible,” she said. “He listens and answers the questions, whether it’s what you want to hear or not, he tells what’s in his heart.”

While Bedford resident Debra Weisenstein, formerly of Wayland, said she believes Conroy is the best candidate with a proven record from his time in the state legislature, Wayland resident Betsy Salzberg said Conroy could only do well in the debate, calling him an intelligent and well-spoken person.

“He has a very impressive background and he knows the ins and outs of congress,” Salzberg said.

Warren supporters cheered the loudest for their candidate as introductions were made by moderator and UMass-Lowell chancellor Marty Meehan. A panel of four UMass-Lowell students asked the candidates questions, while questions were also given by a focus group and from Twitter.

When asked which super hero he’d be, Conroy answered Captain America, to be “out there saving the country and fighting for the good guys.

Responding to a question from Twitter, Conroy said he’d be a strong advocate in the U.S. Senate for women’s health.

“I’ve always been a supporter of a woman’s right to choose,” he said.

While Khazei quipped that “I did inhale, and I did enjoy it,” Conroy echoed the statements of most candidates, who said they supported medical marijuana use, but not legalizing it. Robinson was the sole candidate to say he supported legalizing marijuana.

Conroy said he has a track record for creating new jobs and being a leader who knows how the economy works. He said that if his voting record was compared to that of Scott Brown, his achievements are greater.

“Next to me, he comes across as an empty suit and an empty list,” Conroy said. 

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