Massachusetts Fourth District
P.O. Box 600698
Newtonville, MA 02460
Dear Representative Auchincloss,
I am sure you share my alarm at how hard the Republican Party is working to undermine our democracy. States are gerrymandering at Donald Trump’s behest, the Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act, and we both know this is only the beginning.
In times like these, we have to lead by example and show the American people why our form of government not only works but must be protected and fostered for future generations. A healthy democracy depends on people willing to share their ideas openly, in a debate — and that is especially true of those who seek to hold public office. For the first time in six years, the voters of the Fourth District have a contested Democratic primary and a real choice to make on September 1. I am writing to invite you to three public debates across the district, so the people who will decide can see us side by side and judge that choice for themselves.
There is a genuine contrast between us — on Medicare for All, on getting corporate and PAC money out of our politics, on ending the blank checks for foreign wars, and on warrantless mass surveillance. I would rather the voters weigh that contrast in person, in their own communities.
So I propose three evenings — one in the north, one in the center, and one on the South Coast — each at a venue large enough for a real public audience. The Newton date and location are confirmed; the Attleboro and Fall River dates are proposed and their venues are not yet finalized, so the two locations below are subject to confirmation. All three would run from 6:00 to 8:00 PM:
I am glad to work with your team on format, on a neutral moderator such as the League of Women Voters or a district news outlet, and on finalizing the two proposed venues around your schedule. I would ask only that we hold one principle fixed: that the district deserves a real debate before its voters begin casting their ballots.
To coordinate, please have your team reach my campaign manager, Jeremy Rasmussen, at jeremy@poulos.house. I hope you will join me, and I look forward to a spirited and substantive contest of ideas.
