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SALEM — Candidates seeking to succeed U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton in the 6th Congressional District will meet at Salem State University on June 17 for a candidate forum and debate, giving North Shore voters an early look at the field.
Moulton is giving up the House seat to challenge U.S. Sen. Edward Markey in this year’s Sept. 1 primary. His departure has drawn a slate of candidates, including several Democrats, who are competing to represent the district — which includes Marblehead and much of the North Shore — beginning in 2027.
The event is hosted by the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics at Salem State and will be open to all candidates in contested primary races who filed to appear on the ballot by the state’s June 2 deadline. The program will feature a moderated forum along with an open debate segment in which the candidates can engage directly with one another on issues facing the district.
As of the June 2 deadline, the race to succeed Moulton had drawn a crowded Democratic field, with Dan Koh of Andover, state Rep. Tram Nguyen of Andover, John Beccia of Lynnfield, Jamie Zahlaway Belsito of Topsfield, Beth Andres-Beck of Middleton and Mariah Lancaster all campaigning for the seat, while Micah Jones of Essex and John Field were seeking the Republican nomination. To make the Sept. 1 primary ballot, candidates had to file at least 2,000 certified signatures with the secretary of the commonwealth by the June 2 deadline, and the official field was still being certified. Koh was the first to qualify, reporting in late March that he had gathered the required signatures from all 39 cities and towns in the district. Rick Jakious, a former Moulton aide, entered the race but withdrew in April.
Broadcast journalist Alison King, who served as a spring 2024 fellow at the Berry Institute of Politics, will moderate.
“At a time when civic engagement matters more than ever, the Berry Institute of Politics is proud to convene candidates, students, and community members for a substantive and spirited discussion about the future of our district,” said Cynthia Lynch, executive director of the Berry Institute of Politics and assistant vice provost for civic engagement at Salem State. “We are excited to provide voters with an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates seeking to represent them in Congress.”
The forum and debate will be held in the university’s Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts, 352 Lafayette St., from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m., and parking is available in the garage on College Drive.
The event is free, but registration is required. Details are available through the Berry Institute of Politics at Salem State.
