ANDOVER, MA — Two candidates in Massachusetts' Sixth Congressional District Democratic primary are calling for another debate before voters choose a nominee on Sept. 1 after a recent poll showed former Biden official Dan Koh holding a strong lead in the six-person field.
State Rep. Tram Nguyen, of Andover, and attorney and business leader John Beccia, of Lynnfield, said Tuesday that they want a debate scheduled before the primary.
The request follows what Nguyen described as "the last chance
for candidates to appear in that format before the election."
Nguyen and Beccia said their campaigns are prepared to participate and will work with media outlets, civic organizations or community groups to arrange a mutually agreeable time and location.
"Democracy works best when voters have every opportunity to hear directly from the people asking for their vote," said Nguyen. "In a race that is this close and this important, voters deserve to hear from everyone, and unfortunately did not get the chance to do so in our recent debate, which was the last chance where they could hear from us candidates in this format before the primary."
Beccia also urged a debate before voting ends.
"There is a real choice in this election and a debate is a great way for voters to see just what's at stake," Beccia said. "Voters across all 39 cities and towns are telling me the same things: groceries cost too much, care costs too much, and their kids cannot afford to build a life here. They work hard and have earned the right to see the candidates answer the same questions in the same room.
"A debate is the one place in this race that money and influence cannot buy, and I am ready to have that debate any day between now and September 1."
Koh's campaign on Tuesday promoted the poll showing the former Andover Select Board member leading the Democratic field seeking to succeed Rep. Seth Moulton in the Sixth Congressional District.
According to the survey, conducted by Global Strategy Group from July 30 to Aug. 2, Koh had 34 percent support among 400 likely Democratic primary voters. The poll showed Beccia at 15 percent, Nguyen at 14 percent, Jamie Belsito at 6 percent, Bethany Andres-Beck at 3 percent and Dr. Mariah Lancaster at 3 percent, with 24 percent undecided.
The margin of error was plus or minus 4.9 percentage points.
"It's clear that voters in this district are looking for a fighter with experience to take on Trump and represent them in Washington — and we're proud of the momentum this campaign has built by showing up, listening, and laying out a real plan to fight for working families," said Koh in a statement. "But polls don't win elections — voters do.
"We're not taking a single vote for granted, and we're going to keep earning support door by door until September 1."
Essex lawyer, U.S. Army veteran and former Los Angeles police officer Micah Jones is the only Republican on the ballot for the Sept. 1 primary.
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