Katherine Clark Has MA In 'Rearview Mirror,' Opponent Says

MELROSE, MA — Standing outside the Melrose Public Library and flanked with a smattering of energetic supporters, Republican congressional candidate Caroline Colarusso accused U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark of losing sight of her constituents and once again called on Clark to debate ahead of November's election.

"Congresswoman Clark is hiding," Colarusso, a Stoneham selectwoman who won an uncontested Republican primary, said in a press conference in Clark's hometown.

"Congresswoman Clark has an obligation to the voters to debate her opponent," Colarusso said. "She has a history of doing this during her entire time in congress. Dodging debates against Republicans who have had the audacity to oppose her."

Colarusso said Clark's campaign hasn't responded to requests for a debate.

Clark's campaign told Patch the congresswoman does plan on debating her opponent.

"The campaign is working with organizations in the district to host a forum for the candidates," a campaign spokesperson told Patch.

Clark, the second-highest ranking woman in the House, this week announced her intentions to run for assistant speaker. Colarusso pointed to her aspirations as part of why it's time for a change.

"She has Massachusetts in the rearview mirror, and she's driving away," Colarusso said. "And she has plans to climb the political ladder and that's not good for the people of the 5th district. It's bad for the people of the 5th district."

Colarusso said there are "stark differences" between the two, and wants to hear, among other things, if Clark has a plan to fix the U.S. Postal Service. Colarusso is a retired postmaster.

Clark was elected in 2013 in a special election to replace Sen. Ed Markey. She has quickly become one of the most powerful Democrats in the House, currently serving as the vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus.

Colarusso isn't the only Republican challenger asking for time on the debate stage. Kevin O'Connor this week went to Markey's hometown of Malden to ask for additional debates beyond their Oct. 5 one, questioning if the senator fears debating him.

It's a line the state GOP looks to be deploying in an effort to grill incumbent Democrats.

"Democratic opponents are running away," Tom Mountain, vice chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, said Thursday in Melrose. "They don't want to debate because they're afraid to debate us. They don't have the answers."