Debate: House of Rep. 15th Suffolk District (Fierro v. Longoria v. Montaño v. Nelson)

On 24 May, 2022 JP Progressives hosted an online forum for the four Democratic candidates running for the House of Representatives 15th Suffolk District seat: Richard Fierro, Roxanne Longoria, Sam Montaño, and Mary Ann Nelson. 

The wide-ranging discussion asked candidates to articulate their policy priorities, their philosophy of governance, provide examples of relevant professional achievements, and more. Check out our “Lightning Round” table below for a quick look at where the candidates stand on high-profile issues.

Note: the time-code winds down, rather than up, due to the user interface of the Zoom/Facebook stream.

HDN offers some debate notes below to help you find certain topics and questions. 

The usual disclaimer: Hump Day News provides a loose outline, with timecodes, of the back-and-forth. The questions (Qs) noted in the transcript are highlights, not an exhaustive record. The candidate’s responses are paraphrases, not quotes, with a little editorial spin.

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JP Progressives Forum

Richard Fierro (RF), Roxanne Longoria (RL), Sam Montaño (SM), Mary Ann Nelson (MAN)

Redistricting discussion, with map, 1:32:00

• Opening, top 3 policy priorities?

  • RF, 1:27:30, climate change, child care & education, affordable housing

  • RL, 1:25:15, rent control, climate justice, transit funding, criminal legal reform

  • SM, 1:23:45, housing, substance abuse & mental health, environmental justice

  • MAN, 1:21:30, environment….[did she say she wasn’t going to address 3 policy items until closing comments?]

• Q1, 1:19:00, what is your approach to representing the interests of your constituents? How would you co-govern with the people? What are some advocacy groups you look forward to working with?

• Q2, 1:11:15, three words to describe your governing style? Give example of where you made an impact in your career?

  • SM, collaborative, humorous, empowering

  • RL, equitable, inclusive, impactful

  • RF, transparency, humility, humanity

  • MAN, collaborative, empowering, problem-solving

• Q3, 1:04:15, what is your opinion on increasing transparency in the statehouse? Which legislator do you think most exemplifies your approach to navigating change? [the question is a bit muddled and long winded]

  • MAN

  • SM, Elugardo

  • RL, Tyler, Miranda

  • RF

• Q4, 56:30, on housing crisis, what are your priorities for addressing it?

• Q5, 44:45, what policies would you pursue to achieve racial equity?

  • RL

  • SM

  • MAN, end receivership process in BPS; look at criminal justice and prison system; use budget process to promote racial justice and minority business;

  • RF, 

• Q6, 36:30, on pandemic – what are the primary challenges in recovery and what should we do about it?

• Q7, 28:00, what is your top proposal to address climate change?

  • SM, allowing municipalities to enforce electrification of buildings;

  • RL, push Green New Deal; convert to renewables; free transit; laundry list;

  • RF, get off natural gas imports and replace them with renewables; explore nuclear power?

  • MAN, racial equity in going green; encourage landlords to be proactive about green buildings with tenants; free MBTA–

• Q8, lightning round, 19:45

  • 1) Would you support providing municipalities with authority to apply rent control?

  • 2) on eviction records, would you support bill to seal records?

  • 3) do you support bill to enact single payer healthcare in MA to guarantee HC as a right?

  • 4) do you support eliminating qualified immunity for police?

  • 5) would you support raising criminal majority from 18 to 21, based on recent research?

  • 6) would you support safe consumption sites as harm reduction approach vs. opioid epidemic?

  • 7) do you support requiring health insurance plans to cover abortion without cost sharing?

  • 8) do you support the Safe Communities Act?

  • 9) do you support the common start coalition proposal to establish early education care?

  • 10) do you support petition for elected school committee in Boston?

  • 11) do you support ending the practice of receivership for BPS?

  • 12) do you support granting financial aid to undocumented students?

  • 13) do you support bills to expand voting franchise to 16/17yo in local elections?

  • 14) do you support the Fair Share ballot initiative?

  • 15) do you oppose Uber/Lyft-backed bill to rewrite labor laws?

  • 16) do you support enabling towns allowing tax exempt..whoah, lost track of that one…

  • 17) do you support “dramatically” expanding public transport in MA?

“Lighting Round”

Closing, 8:15

• MAN, rent stabilization; use state budget for change; transportation, education, ending receivership, improve health coverage;

• SM, reviews community organizing resume and local cred; 

• RL, reviews record and history of collaboration and “speaking truth to power;” 

• RF, core values: integrity, accountability, transparency; wants to act as conduit for “the will of the people;”
  

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