Two Debates Scheduled for State Rep. Candidates

Democratic State House of Representatives hopeful A. Keith Carreiro was unable to get Republican incumbent Steven Howitt to accept a challenge for seven debates, but the two have agreed to spar on stage two times before Election Day.

The Carreiro campaign issued a press release early Monday morning announcing debates will take place Thursday in Norton and next Monday in Fall River for the two candidates running for the seat of the 4th Bristol District, which includes Norton. The Howitt campaign confirmed the information was accurate.

The debate on Thursday is sponsored by Norton Community Television and will be moderated by Town Moderator Bill Gouveia in the studio. It will begin at 7 p.m.

The debate will not be televised live, but will be rebroadcast several times.  There will be no live audience due to space limitations.

"I will be the moderator, and the candidates have both agreed to attend and agreed to my rules," Gouveia said. "It will be similar to other debates I have conducted over the years, with both candidates answering the same questions posed by me."

The debate scheduled for next Monday will take place at 1 p.m. in Fall River at the Herald-News offices. The event is sponsored by the Gazette and The Herald News. It will be moderated by Aaron Frechette, editorial page editor for The Herald News.

It was not specified in Carreiro's press release if the Thursday debate is open to the public and/or all media.