Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Martha Coakley, grimaces as she takes a selfie of the entire group of hopefuls following a debate at Suffolk University in Boston yesterday. The five Democrats running for governor met in their final debate, sponsored by the Boston Herald, prior to this weekend’s state party convention, which will determine who qualifies for the September primary. From left Don Berwick, Coakley, Steve Grossman, Juliette Kayyem and Joseph Avellone. (AP Photo/The Boston Herald,Matt Stone, Pool)
BOB SALSBERG, Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — The five Democrats running for governor met yesterday for a final debate before their party’s state convention, with all agreeing that Massachusetts was on the right track while acknowledging major problems in state government.
Attorney General Martha Coakley, state Treasurer Steven Grossman, business executive Joseph Avellone, former federal health care administrator Don Berwick and former homeland security officer Juliette Kayyem discussed issues for about 90 minutes during the Boston Herald/Suffolk University debate.
Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Martha Coakley, center, gestures during a debate at Suffolk University in Boston yesterday. The five Democrats running for governor met in their final debate, sponsored by the Boston Herald, prior to this weekend’s state party convention, which will determine who qualifies for the September primary. With Coakley are hopefuls Don Berwick, left, and Joseph Avellone. (AP Photo/The Boston Herald,Matt Stone, Pool)
About 6,000 delegates are expected at Saturday’s convention in Worcester. Each candidate needs at least 15 percent support to advance to the September primary.
In a twist, the debate included videotaped questions from other gubernatorial candidates, including Republicans Charlie Baker and Mark Fisher. Baker, the 2010 GOP nominee, listed several managerial issues currently vexing state government and asked the Democrats if they believed Massachusetts was on the right track under Gov. Deval Patrick.
Grossman said state government was on the right track, “but we have to acknowledge when we are not doing things well and fix them.” He cited examples including high caseload among social workers at the Department of Children and Families, and the failure of the state’s health exchange website.
Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Steve Grossman, right, gestures finishes a phone call, as Martha Coakley looks on, before a debate at Suffolk University in Boston yesterday. The five Democrats running for governor met in their final debate, sponsored by the Boston Herald, prior to this weekend’s state party convention, which will determine who qualifies for the September primary. (AP Photo/The Boston Herald,Matt Stone, Pool)
Berwick said he was proud to live in the first state with universal health insurance coverage and marriage equality, among other things.
“This is a great state to be in. I can’t wait to lead it,” said Berwick. “The biggest problems remain inequity and inequality and poverty in the state.”
Avellone applauded Patrick for having the “right vision,” but pledged to bring new management tools to state government.
Coakley and Kayyem tried to turn the tables on the Republicans, with Coakley contending that states dominated by Republican governors or Legislatures have less job growth and more poverty. Kayyem noted there were past “systemic administrative problems” under GOP governors in Massachusetts.
“Who ever lived in a world that there weren’t problems?” Kayyem said, adding that she would fix them.
The debate was mostly cordial though Coakley, who has led in early polling, was occasionally criticized. Grossman called her a “cheerleader” for the federal Secure Communities law, which allows police to detain individuals over their immigration status.
Coakley said she initially considered the law a tool for helping remove dangerous criminals, but now believes it has gone too far.
“We all agree that the federal government hasn’t done its job and the states … are going to have to step up,” she said.
Kayyem chided Coakley for suggesting that it was the decision of her office, and not her personally, to bar a casino repeal question from the ballot.
Berwick, the only Democrat calling for repeal of the casino law, took Grossman to task after the treasurer said he’d oppose repeal of the law despite concerns about the impact of casinos on the state lottery.
“I don’t think that’s leadership,” said Berwick. “I think leadership is declaring on the merits whether casinos belong in this state.”
Avellone got in the last word on the subject: “Leadership is driving us forward to create jobs and it’s not the instability of repealing things and changing the landscape every year.”
