Debate held for Democratic 9th Bristol District State Representative candidates

The Dartmouth Democratic Town Committee held a debate between Steve Medeiros and Ed Pacheco, the two democratic candidates running for state representative in the 9th Bristol District. 

The candidates had 10 minutes each to answer two broad questions, what the candidate supports in the district, and what the candidate supports in the commonwealth. Each question was followed by five audience questions, which they had two minutes to answer. 

Medeiros is a real estate agent, whose campaign focus is on finding ways to add affordable housing solutions for first-time home buyers and retirees. The four pillars in his campaign are to make improvements to affordability and infrastructure; preserve the town’s character; and foster small businesses.

“My focus is really representing 40,000 of my friends and family and people in this community and the Bristol District,” said Medeiros.

Pacheco works as both director of transportation for a nonprofit, and as a bartender. He describes himself as financially frugal. Instead of one specific focus has a number of initiatives he wants to work on, which involve housing, public safety and funding. 

“I am pro-Dartmouth,” said Pacheco, “At the high school … they had an amazing slogan that went out into the community. I would want to modify that and say ‘One Ninth Bristol.”

The candidates agreed they both would say “yes” to the recent bill regulating state and town involvement in federal immigration control and that taxes supporting charter and religious schools shouldn’t take funding from public schools.

Both said unfunded state mandates should be looked at more closely before being passed. Medeiros said that these mandates should be sent to committees to be improved to see if they have any benefit. Pacheco said they should look at whether they help the greater community or only small sections of Massachusetts. 

Both stated that auditing state legislature for transparency is a good idea. Pacheco said “yes” seven times followed by three “Yes to the audit,” and Medeiros stated he would "Say yes one time.”

Their opinions differed on the topics of rent control. Medeiros said that it’s a “band aid” solution, and said the state needs to focus on creating more affordable housing for first-time buyers and retirees. He also wants to pass a bill creating a savings account, which would give people tax benefits to save for a down payment. 

Pacheco said it would be  important to discuss a rent control bill with the other state representatives, to see whether the bill could have a positive impact.

They also differed on personal ideology; both said that the state has no role in deciding abortion rights. Pacheco said he believes that being pro-choice or pro-life is a personal choice, and Medeiros said his faith has him questioning his stance. 

When it comes to improving healthcare, Medeiros said he wants to reform the healthcare system, so that there are less unnecessary appointments. Pacheco said he wants to make Medicare universal. 

Pacheco also mentioned a number of bills he would propose or support, which include universal childcare under H605; Clean Slate, which streamlines the process for clearing someone’s criminal records; re-proposing a committee to support coastal communities with their wastewater issues; and a bill that would only allow data centers to be built in small communities that approve them. 

At the end of the debates, the candidates were able to ask each other a question. 

Medeiros asked Pacheco what he thinks about “dirty politics” and taking money from third-party groups. Pacheco said  most of his funds have come from locals, having raised around $20,000. 

He added that he isn’t responsible for the actions of the organizations that he accepts money from. 

Pacheco asked Medeiros how he would measure whether taxes are being used wisely. Medeiros said he would measure if they are having a positive impact on the community, and if the taxes are doing what they were intended to do. 

For more details on each candidate’s campaign, watch the full debate on DCTV’s YouTube channel.