Forums for Public, Students to Feature 3rd District Candidates

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UMass Lowell will hold two debates on Sunday, April 29 between candidates for the 3rd Congressional District seat in Congress.

03/26/2018

Contact: Jon Strunk, 978-934-3332 or Jonathan_Strunk@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell and the university’s Center for Public Opinion will host debates Sunday, April 29 for Democratic primary candidates running in the Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas.

The two 90-minute debates will be held at noon and 2 p.m. in Durgin Hall, 35 Wilder St., on the university’s South Campus. Additional details about the format and composition of the debates will be finalized and announced in the coming weeks. Two debates are scheduled because of the large number of Democrats, more than a dozen, in that primary. Currently, only one Republican candidate is running.

“The free and open exchange of ideas is central to our democracy and to the core values of UMass Lowell,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. “We believe these forums will assist voters across the 3rd Congressional District as they consider candidates in the primary and general elections later this year. It will also engage our students in the electoral process and strengthen their understanding of American democracy.”

UMass Lowell has a long history of debate sponsorship, serving as the host for prior forums, including:

  • The 2007 congressional special election;
  • The 2012 U.S. Senate Democratic primary;
  • The 2012 U.S. Senate general election between Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown;
  • The 2013 special election Democratic primary between Stephen Lynch and Edward Markey; and
  • The 2014 state representative primary for the 18th Middlesex District.

UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 18,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be ready for work, for life and for all the world offers. www.uml.edu