Markey-Kennedy debate will shine spotlight
Candidates square off Tuesday night
Incumbent Sen. Ed Markey and challenger U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III will face off Tuesday in a highstakes debate for the first time since Kennedy’s surprise decision to challenge the 73-year-old Medford Democrat — and the clash could set the tone for an already-roiling race.
Neither Kennedy nor Markey has had a serious debate in years, and the event represents the first time the candidates can challenge each other in person and make the case for their candidacy. Both campaigns quietly admit a lot is riding on the Tuesday night clash as the Massachusetts media spotlight shifts from coverage of President Trump and the 2020 presidential nomination race.
“Kennedy will need to detail exactly where he is on the progressive scale since Markey has tied himself to the far left,” said Tom Whalen, a political history professor at Boston University.
“Markey is going to have to shake up the lower poll numbers that have been dogging him.”
The hourlong debate will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, hosted by WGBH. Kennedy and Markey have so far been polite opponents despite the intra-party rift created by the contest, but the debate offers a glimpse into how they handle questioning and scrutiny under the glare of the spotlight.
“Neither are really great with conflict. Kennedy’s style in particular is not really confrontational. His answers are usually well thought-out, but that doesn’t help when you need to think on your feet,” said Whalen.
Kennedy, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, has built a career honoring Democratic leadership and making sure to pay his dues instead of leveraging his famous last name to head up influential committees.
Markey, meanwhile, is from a working class background. He has had plenty of political battles, but his time in office could also become an issue. He has held an elected office since 1973.
Kennedy, 39, last debated Gary Rucinski during the 2016 Democratic primary while Markey’s last debate before this race was with Republican Brian Herr in 2014.
Markey did, however, take part in a climate change debate last November that Kennedy declined to attend.
“It’s probably going to be a quiet debate in the beginning. They’ll come out cautious,” said Whalen. “But they’re going to have to take a stand on major issues. It’s going to be very interesting.”