When it comes to the 3rd Middlesex Senate race, the two candidates emphasized their disparate viewpoints on social issues during last week’s League of Women Voters debate in Chelmsford.
Republican candidate Sandi Martinez challenged incumbent Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln, on her record of support for a liberal agenda.
“I haven’t found any votes she took to decrease taxes,” said Martinez. “But there are many bills I totally disagree with, like the transgender rights bill.”
Martinez asked why Fargo spent her time working on a bill that helps men have access to women’s restrooms instead of focusing on ways to end Beacon Hill’s “insatiable appetite” for spending.
“Adding transgender to the law has nothing to do with who’s in a ladies room,” said Fargo.
Instead, said Fargo, it was part of a broader movement to provide residents of the Commonwealth with equal protection. That also includes her support of same-sex marriage.
“I’m proud of Massachusetts and its equality of marriage to treat all citizens equal,” said Fargo. “I would vote the same way (today) as I did in 2007. This is a step forward for equality.”
Martinez decried the State House marriage vote and restated her belief that marriage is “one man and one woman” and stressed that’s how she would have voted on the issue.
Although the Massachusetts Senate would not be voting on Roe v. Wade, Martinez took the question as an opportunity to voice her opposition to abortion.
“I believe life to begin at conception and to end with natural death,” said Martinez.
Fargo countered with her support of Roe v. Wade and her belief that abortion must be kept legal.
“Being pro-choice doesn’t mean you’re for killing children,” said Fargo. “It’s a decision that should only be made by the woman and her doctor. The government does not belong there.”
Elected officials should, however, be involved in providing services to residents without piling on the pork, said Martinez.
She said Beacon Hill, like all Bay State families, must get a handle on its expenses, pointing to a Massachusetts GOP study that pinpoints millions in waste.
Fargo took exception when Martinez lumped the School Building Assistance Bureau under the umbrella of wasteful spending.
“I helped to get $8.7 million for Chelmsford,” Fargo said. “If these are examples of waste…”
Before slashing programs from the state budget, Fargo said, it is important to consider economy of scale when thinking about which programs or agencies to suspend or eliminate.
Martinez said the sitting senator should have opted to support a Republican plan that would have returned money to cities and towns.
“Not voting against local aid is a start,” said Martinez. “It would have given money back to towns, and Susan voted no. It would have increased Chapter 70 money and Susan voted no.”
Fargo replied her no votes had nothing to do with the bill’s Republican heritage but rather because it was not a wise thing to do.
“They wanted to take it out of the state’s ‘rainy day’ fund,” said Fargo. “Now, we are going to need to tap into that.”
Neither supports casinos and both believe a commuter rail line should be extended into New Hampshire.
But it was the differences between them that the candidates promoted.
“I don’t want to be a politician. I’m tired of politics as usual. It’s time the Legislature listen to the people who sent them there,” said Martinez. “I don’t want to be a politician; I want to represent the people.”
And representing the district is exactly what Fargo said she has been doing.
“Working with people to solve problems is essential,” said Fargo. “I’m the only experienced candidate who has cut taxes, balanced budgets and worked with Democrats and Republicans for common sense law.”
