Markey's Opponent Questions If Senator Fears Debating Him

MALDEN, MA — Republican Senate candidate Kevin O'Connor wants more debates against Sen. Ed Markey, even if it means going toe-to-toe on the environment with the co-sponsor of the Green New Deal.

O'Connor stood outside the Malden Public Library — where Markey celebrated his primary victory over U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy — and questioned if the senator feared debating him ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

"Senator Markey and I, as everyone knows, have substantive disagreements and we live at a time of crisis," O'Connor said. "We deserve from our leaders, at a minimum, transparency and responsible dialogue. Senator Markey has that opportunity in this election and he has that obligation to the people of Massachusetts and the taxpayers of Massachusetts. Is he afraid of me. Why is he avoiding debates?"

GBH announced last week it will host a debate between the two candidates Oct. 5, something Markey's campaign manager said will be the last debate before the election.

O'Connor said Markey has the advantage of already having had seven debates with Kennedy ahead of the primary. Now he wants his turn to speak to voters, even if it means a full debate on the environment.

"I agree that our environment and a safe climate is absolutely critical and I will give him free media on his biggest issue and will demonstrate to the people of Massachusetts that that plan is not a plan," O'Connor said. "It's a terrible idea that would involve massive tax increases."

O'Connor, an attorney, defeated Shiva Ayyadurai in the Republican primary. His website says he will "promote ... a sustainable environment."

Markey joined U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to co-sponsor the Green New Deal, an expansive piece of climate change legislation.

Material from State House News Service was used in this report