ARLINGTON -- State Senate Democratic candidates John “Jack” Hurd and Kenneth Donnelly squared off for the first time Wednesday night in Arlington.

The two candidates are competing in the Democratic primary to replace state Sen. James Marzilli (D-Arlington), who has said he will not seek reelection after being charged with multiple sexual assault charges.

On Wednesday, the Hurd and Donnelly appeared at a forum hosted by the Arlington Town Democratic Committee at the Robbins Library. And after opening and closing statements and over an hour of answering questions submitted by the approximately 30 members of the audience, this much was clear: they don’t disagree about much.

Both candidates touted their record of experience from the beginning of the forum. Donnelly said he is a lifelong resident of Arlington and Hurd also noted he grew up in Arlington. Both graduated from Arlington High School.

Donnelly stressed that there are “serious issues in this district.” High unemployment, a standard of living, foreclosures and the rising price of energy, he said, are the biggest challenges facing the district. Donnelly, a former firefighter who has worked as legislative director for the fire department, said he was best qualified to serve the district.
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“As your next state senator I will have to courage to stand up for the citizens of the fourth district…I’ve drafted legislation, testified on legislation and know how Beacon Hill works. I can go to Beacon Hill tomorrow and be an advocate for this district.”

Hurd similarly touted his experience as qualifying him for the senate seat. “My entire adult life I have worked hard in Arlington to make it a better place to be,” he said. Hurd has served 12 years on the Arlington Board of Selectman.

“I am proud of my experience as a selectman,” he said, “I have had the opportunity to work very closely on the issues that affect cities and towns."

The audience listened quietly and intently throughout the question and answer session which covered the Democratic party platform (they both fully support it), abortion and gay marriage (they are both pro choice and pro gay marriage), Cape Wind (they both support it), using flag men instead of police men at construction sites (both think it is a safety issue that local police chiefs should determine) and a few other topics. Both candidates told a few one-liners that received chuckles from the crowd, but in general the forum provided an informal venue for the Democrats in Arlington to hear from the candidates.
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A few subtle differences between the candidates did eventually arise. Donnelly, who ran against Marzilli for the seat in the 2007 special election and came in second, repeatedly said “education is [his] number one priority” throughout the evening.

Hurd focused his message on local aid. “I have travelled around all cities and towns and the common denominator is funding,” he said. “Having experience as selectman and having worked on funding issues…I believe I am uniquely qualified to understand what the needs are of the district.” Notably, Hurd also said part of the funding problem is securing money for the district’s schools.

Donelly, who spoke more loudly than Hurd, also said the state has to reexamine taxes. “We have to take a serious look at how we tax and how we receive revenues,” he said. “We may need to look at increasing personal exceptions while looking at increasing the income tax so we have a more progressive tax rate.”

The most notable difference between the candidates came when asked whether they would support putting a question on the ballot on whether casinos should be legalized in Massachusetts.

Hurd said he supported the measure and Donnelly strongly disagreed.

"If you have courage, you stand up and make decisions in the legislature,” he said. “I would not support putting gambling or any other issue on the ballot. We get elected to make difficult decisions.”

Later in the night Hurd responded to the charge, to a warm reception from the crowd. “I have plenty of courage,” he said.