First Democratic Debate for Marty Walz' Seat Scheduled for April 23

Democratic candidates running for Marty Walz' former 8th Suffolk House District seat will debate April 23.

So far, two lawyers from Beacon Hill have announced their candidacy: Nils Tracy and Jay Livingstone, as has Back Bay resident Josh Dawson, the executive director of State Treasurer Steve Grossman’s political committee. The House seat opened this month, after Marty Walz left the legislature to take a job as the president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. 

"Registered voters living in Boston's Back Bay, Beacon Hill and West End neighborhoods have important decisions to make in upcoming special elections that will directly affect their quality of life, and local Democrats – including the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee – are taking the lead in providing venues for discussion and debate," said Ross Levanto, chair of the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee.

"With the series of upcoming special primary and special general elections, even the most involved voter can be confused. Members of the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee take seriously their roles as advocates and educators," he said.

Almost all of Boston's Ward 5, including Back Bay and all but a few streets of Beacon Hill, is included in the 8th Suffolk district.

The debate, sponsored by the Boston Ward 3 and Ward 5 Democratic Committees, will be from 6:15 to 8 p.m. at the Community Church of Boston, at 565 Boylston St., on April 23.  It will be moderated by Beacon Hill writer Karen Cord Taylor.