Mayoral Race

NBC10 Boston, NECN and Telemundo Boston Host Preliminary Mayoral Debate

Hosted in partnership with the Dorchester Reporter and the Bay State Banner, the debate was broadcast live on NBC10 Boston and NECN

NBC Universal, Inc.

NBC10 Boston, Telemundo Boston and NECN in partnership with the Dorchester Reporter and the Bay State Banner, hosted a 1-hour long live preliminary mayoral debate inside the NBCUniversal Boston Media Center on Wednesday.

The debate with Mayor Kim Janey and challengers John Barros, Andrea Campbell, Annissa Essaibi George and Michelle Wu took place inside a secure and closed studio inside the NBCUniversal Boston Media Center, located at 189B St., in Needham, Massachusetts.

The five major candidates for mayor gave their opinions on how Boston has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The debate was also livestreamed in English on NBC10Boston.com and NECN.com and in Spanish on TelemundoNuevaInglaterra.com.

An extended post-debate roundtable show for streaming audiences was held exclusively on our streaming platforms, including Roku and Apple TV channels as well as NBC10Boston.com, NECN.com, on the NBC10 Boston app and on the station’s social sites including TwitterFacebook YouTube and Instagram. The post-debate discussion was hosted by Sue O’Connell and Raul Martinez and will include analysis and reaction from a panel of political experts.

The five candidates for Boston City Council took a series of rapid-fire questions at the end of the first televised debate in this year's election, including who else they'd vote for on the debate stage, whether they've been vaccinated and who's bought from one of Boston's pot shops.

Telemundo Boston will air the debate on television in Spanish at a later date.

The politicians addressed current issues important to Bostonians including public safety, COVID-19 effects on the community, and the rising costs of living expenses. Questions for the candidates were prepared by moderator and NBC10 Boston Evening News Anchor Shannon Mulaire. Viewer questions were solicited in advance via social media as well as from readers of debate partners, the Dorchester Reporter and the Bay State Banner. Candidates did not see the questions ahead of time.

Proper COVID-19 safety protocols were enforced for the duration of the debate.

The two candidates who advance to the general election will be invited to participate in another debate this October.

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