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8-22-2026 8:21am
Democratic Congressional and State Senate Candidates to Meet in Community Forum on August 27
Darlene Cancell
Editor
On Thursday evening, August 27, Congressman Stephen Lynch of the Eighth Congressional District and his challenger, Patrick Roath, will attend a public forum at Dedham Middle School, giving the community an opportunity to hear directly from their local Democratic Party candidates. Also scheduled to attend are State Senator Michael Rush, who represents the Norfolk and Suffolk District, and his challenger, Persis Yu.
The event is being jointly hosted by the Dedham Democratic Town Committee and the Westwood Democratic Town Committee. Moderated by Dedham Town Moderator Liz O’Donnell, the program will include opening and closing statements, questions from the hosts, and audience questions.
Event organizers plan for each candidate to receive equal time to discuss their priorities, the issues facing the district, and the actions they would pursue if elected or reelected.
In the state primary election on September 1, local Democratic voters and unenrolled voters who choose a Democratic ballot will decide whether to support an incumbent or a newcomer as the Democratic Party nominee for the Eighth Congressional District, and separately, for the Norfolk and Suffolk District of the state Senate.
Robert Burke is the only candidate listed on the Republican primary ballot for the Eighth Congressional District.
No Republican primary candidate for state Senate is listed for the Norfolk and Suffolk District. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website gives a list of Republican primary candidates, and states that there are “No Nominations” for that district.
The Democratic candidates’ public forum will be held on Thursday, August 27, at 7:00 p.m. in the Dedham Middle School auditorium, at 70 Whiting Avenue in Dedham. Organizers request that attendees use the middle school’s main entrance. The forum is also expected to be broadcast by local cable stations.
“Democracy works best when voters have the chance to hear directly from the people seeking to represent them,” said Jessica Porter, chair of the Dedham Democratic Town Committee, in a joint statement with Erin Sibley, co-chair of the Westwood Democratic Town Committee. “This forum is an opportunity for our neighbors to engage with the candidates, ask thoughtful questions, and make an informed choice in the September 1 Democratic primary.”
In-person, early voting for the September 1 state primary begins on Saturday, August 22, and runs through Friday, August 28.
In Westwood, early voting takes place in the Jaillet Meeting Room of the Westwood Police Station at 588 High Street. Click here for the Westwood early-voting schedule, available from the Town Clerk on the Town of Westwood’s website.
In Dedham, early voting takes place in Town Hall at 450 Washington Street. Click here for the Dedham early-voting schedule, available from the Town Clerk page on the Town of Dedham’s website.
Thanks to the Dedham Democratic Town Committee and Westwood Democratic Town Committee for sharing their news with Westwood Minute.
