Institutions don’t change when asked nicely. They change when failing a child costs them something. For decades, child sexual abuse survivors were told to stay silent, then told they were too late. They aren’t asking for sympathy. They’re asking for their day in court. Inaction may or may not be politically safe. Your support will save many children — Learn more.
Keller @ Large
What do Massachusetts Democrats Dan Koh, Andrea Campbell and Deborah Goldberg have in common with odious nightcrawler Ken Paxton, the GOP nominee for Senate in Texas?
They’ve all refused to debate their general-election opponents.
In Paxton’s case, there’s the understandable fear that he’ll be exposed as a moron. But that’s not the case with Koh, the articulate nominee for Congress in the Sixth District, or the experienced incumbent attorney general and state treasurer, all facing little-known, underfunded challengers saddled with the R next to their name in a year when, in Massachusetts, that’s poison.
Instead, they are part of a pathetic trend in American politics toward blowing off debates.
A recent ABC News analysis found that 21 of the 36 gubernatorial races this year will not include a debate between the major-party nominees. That’s a dramatic implosion from eight years ago, when only two of 36 races went debate-less. The numbers are just as bad in Senate contests; 21 of 35 have nothing scheduled. Two years ago, it was nine out of 34.
Why? Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton told ABC she didn’t care to “platform” her opponent’s “lies.” While pitiful, that at least has the ring of candor. Not so for the incumbent Democratic Governor of Arizona Katie Hobbs, whose campaign insists that “face-to-face engagement with Arizonans is more effective than a stage designed for short soundbites and political theater."
More effective in covering her hindquarters, she means.
And Tommy Tuberville, the dumbest member of the “World’s Greatest Debating Society,” the U.S. Senate, nixed a debate with his Democratic challenger on the grounds that “there’s so much difference between us…there’s no reason to get up there and argue about differences of opinion.”
Just so! Why participate in the democratic process when it’s so much easier to spit on it and ignore it?
Debates give interested voters an opportunity to compare and vet the candidates who want to wield significant power over their lives and communities. Denying them that opportunity out of cowardice, stupidity or one candidate’s clear edge in cash on hand or name recognition is like telling shoppers in a supermarket they have to choose from the peaches on the top row. Don’t you be sifting through the pile looking for something a bit less rotten!
Jon Keller is a MASSterList columnist. He can be reached at [email protected].
Winter readiness starts long before temperatures drop. National Grid works year-round to strengthen and maintain the energy system Massachusetts communities depend on. As colder weather approaches, explore resources including energy-saving tips, customer assistance programs, and budget plan options designed to help you prepare for the season ahead.
HAPPENING TODAY
8:30 | Gov. Healey and Massport CEO Rich Davey to announce the Voice of Logan finalists | Kiss 108 FM
9:00 | Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Education Secretary Zrike, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Jones, Higher Education Interim Commissioner José Luis Santos, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez and Museum of Science President Tim Ritchie kick off the Healey-Driscoll administration's 2026 STEM Week. After a press conference, event features an engineering design challenge with students. Media asked to RSVP to [email protected] | Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston
9:00 | U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss plans to participate in a chat at the New England Council's "Capitol Hill Report" breakfast | The Hampshire House at 84 Beacon St., Boston
10:00 | Former NFL players and Project Champion co-founders Ricky Williams and Kyle Turley hold a press briefing urging a "no" vote on Question 8, the ballot measure that would repeal the legalization for retail sales of recreational marijuana. Former Rep. Marie St. Fleur and "Stop the Repeal" campaign Chair Ryan Dominguez join | Primitiv, 200 High Street, Boston
10:00 | Division of Insurance holds a listening session about stabilizing insurance markets to drive down premium costs | More Info and Access
10:30 | Boston Mayor Wu delivers remarks at the groundbreaking of the Lavine Bekenstein Cancer Hospital at Dana-Farber | 1 Joslin Place, Boston
11:00 | Senate meets in an informal session | Senate Chamber | Livestream
11:00 | House meets in an informal session | House Chamber | Livestream
11:00 | U.S. Sens. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) and Peter Welch (D-Vermont) participate in The Senate Project conversation series, moderated by FOX News Channel's Martha MacCallum. The discussion will focus on bipartisan collaboration, including efforts on social media, and youth mental health and forecasting water-related disasters | Edward M. Kennedy Institute, Boston | FOX News, More Info
11:30 | Education Secretary Zrike and Early Education and Care Commissioner Kershaw visit a STEM programming classroom at Horizons for Homeless Children during STEM Week | Horizons for Homeless Children, 1785 Columbus Ave., Roxbury
11:40 | Gov. Healey delivers remarks at The MedTech Conference. Media RSVP to [email protected] | Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center, 415 Summer Street, Boston
12:30 | Mayor Wu delivers remarks at a street sign dedication celebrating Regina Pizzeria’s 100th year of business in the city | 11 ½ Thatcher St., Boston
2:00 | Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Education Secretary Zrike, Higher Education Interim Commissioner Santos and MassBay Community College President David Podell announce Training Resources and Internship Network grants during STEM Week | MassBay Community College, 490 Franklin St., Framingham
6:30 | Mayor Wu is set to host the second annual Boston "State of the Schools." Wu and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper will discuss updates from across the district and priorities | Ballroom of UMass Boston at 100 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester | Livestream
JOB BOARD
Legal Advocate — NEW, Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
Advocacy Director — NEW, Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
Director of Workforce Development — NEW, St. Francis House
Evaluation and Monitoring Associate, Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation
Administrative and Program Associate, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts
General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Account Director/Senior Account Director, Issues Management Group, Inc.
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ON BEACON HILL
LG SHAKEUP: Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Shawn Oliver, a New Bedford city councilor, suspended his campaign Sunday after his arrest on an OUI charge, stemming from a Saturday night crash that damaged five cars and sent him to the hospital. Running mate Mike Minogue said he'll ask for Oliver's resignation if the GOP ticket is elected. | New Bedford Light
AND THE FALLOUT? | A pair of political analysts say Shawn Oliver’s arrest is unlikely to have a huge impact on the governor’s race. | WCVB
IN THE MAIL: Secretary of State Bill Galvin and five members of Congress from Massachusetts said Friday their offices had received suspicious letters, matching the description of envelopes received by election and congressional offices nationwide. | GBH News
STACKS FOR TRACKS: Officials including Gov. Healey and Congressman Neal hailed $130 million in federal funding for Springfield track work as a major step forward on the West-East (or East-West) Rail project. | Daily Hampshire Gazette
DTA PAY: Nearly 600 of 2,000 Department of Transitional Assistance employees make six figures, according to payroll data, with one caseworker taking home $348,534 because of back pay required under a collective bargaining agreement. The average pay for the agency's full-time SNAP caseworkers is $57,767. | Boston Herald
NEWS NEXT DOOR
DATA CENTER DATA: The Boston City Council plans a hearing today on Councilor Miniard Culpepper's proposed ban on new data centers across the city, but it's hard to confirm exactly how many currently exist in Boston. One is above the Macy's in Downtown Crossing. | MassLive
TINY TRIPLE DECKERS: A regulatory quirk in the state’s accessory dwelling unit law appears to create the possibility that Somerville property owners could build mini triple-deckers behind their existing normal-size ones, vexing local officials. The law limits the total living space in an ADU, so a three-story one would need to be very narrow — one reason state housing officials say it's unlikely anyone would actually construct a triple-decker ADU. | Boston Globe
RENT-A-COP-CAR: Dracut's police department, which plans to turn over its entire 24-vehicle fleet over five years, will rent the cruisers rather than buying them, for an expected savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars. | The Sun
SPONSORED How to Choose the Right Contractor for Your Home Energy Project: Whether you’re planning a major upgrade or a smaller project, the right contractor can help you understand your options, navigate technical decisions, and ensure the work supports your long-term comfort and energy efficiency goals. | Learn more
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JOB BOARD
Director of Resource Development, The Neighborhood Developers
Director of Human Resources, SEIU Local 509
Deputy Sewer Director, Town of Nantucket
Communications & Community Engagement Manager, City of Chelsea
Chief Financial Officer, Cooperative for Human Services Inc
Justice Geraldine S. Hines Legal Fellowship, Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General
Senior Transportation Engineer, City of Newton
Financial Investigator III, Mass Gaming Commission
Vice President of Administration and Finance, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Government Relations Officer, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
1099 Admin Hourly, Shepherd Strategies
Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General
Lead Organizer / Civic Engagement Coordinator, Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants
Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
