Special Election Debate Set For Donnelly's Seat

ARLINGTON, MA – A debate between the three Democrats looking to succeed the late Sen. Ken Donnelly will take place next week in Billerica, the Billerica Democratic Town Committee announced.

Rep. Sean Garballey of Arlington, Donnelly's former chief of staff Cindy Friedman of Arlington, and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education member Mary Ann Stewart of Lexington will participate in two-hour debate at Billerica Town Hall on Thursday, June 8. Massachusetts State Democratic Committee member Steve O'Leary will moderate. Lowell Sun managing editor Tom Zuppa and WCAP radio host Ted Panos will be the debate's "media panel."

The event begins at 7 p.m. and will be aired on Billerica Access Television and streamed online. It is open to the public.

Voters will take to the polls for a June 27 special Democratic primary Garballey, Friedman, and Stewart. The general election for the 4th Middlesex District is July 25. Ian Jackson, a Green-Rainbow Party candidate, had also had filed papers to run.

The 4th Middlesex District is comprised of Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Lexington, and Woburn.

Donnelly died in April after a battle with brain cancer. He was 66.

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