Straw Poll to Follow US Senate Democratic Candidates Forum in Athol

President Gerald Ford and Tip O'Neill

Straw Poll to Follow US Senate Democratic Candidates Forum  As Massachusetts Congressman and legendary Speaker of the House Thomas "Tip" O'Neill once famously said, "All politics is local." Thursday's U.S. Senate Democratic Candidates Forum in Athol will put that axiom to the test with a straw poll of the audience immediately following the forum.  In addition, questions posed to the candidates will be drawn from audience members.  

The straw poll will include each of the declared candidates, even those who may not be present during the evening's forum.  The U.S. Senate Democratic Candidates Forum will be held at Ellinwood Country Club, Athol on Thursday, October 27 at 7 PM.  A public reception is scheduled for 6 PM.

Declared Democratic candidates hoping to win the primary and face off against Republican Senator Scott Brown during the 2012 election include Tom Conroy, State Representative for the 13th Middlesex District, Marisa DeFranco, an immigration lawyer, Alan Khazei, founder of City Year organization, Jim King, a corporate lawyer, Herb Robinson, an engineer and Elizabeth Warren, Harvard Law School professor and former Special Advisor for the United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

Due to a scheduling conflict, Ms. Warren will not be attending the forum, but instead will send her campaign manager, Matt Patton.  According to Alan Khazei’s campaign staff, he is attempting to resolve a scheduling conflict and still hopes to attend.  The remaining candidates have committed to the event.

“I am pleased that most of the candidates have recognized the importance of coming to North Central Massachusetts,” State Senator Stephen M. Brewer commented.  “I look forward to the forum and to a discussion that focuses on the important issues that have an effect on the area.”

The U.S. Senate Democratic Candidate’s Forum will be moderated by political strategist Tony Cignoli of Springfield and is sponsored by the North Quabbin Democratic Coalition and the Democratic Town Committees of Athol, Barre, Buckland, Greenfield, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Royalston, Templeton and Wendell. 

For further information of the forum, contact the Orange Democratic Town Committee outreach coordinator, Genevieve Fraser at telephone # (978) 544-1872, or by email atFraserGenevieve@gmail.com, or Joseph Gochinsli at jgochinski@yahoo.com