— Photo by Donald Norton

By Donald F. Norton

This past Wednesday, July 30, Somerville Community Access Television and the Somerville Labor Coalition Candidate Forum was held and four of the five candidates for the 34th Representative District appeared in a live session with a studio audience, as well as on air, for a lively debate, hosted and moderated by Joe Lynch.

Candidates Christine Barber, Erin DiBenidetto,  Craig Rourke and Nick Lanzilli were there to answer questions and present their cases as to why they want the endorsement of the Labor Council.

One candidate for the office, Sharon Guzik, could not be present for the debate.

The Somerville Labor council is made up of all the public employee unions here in Somerville including the Fire Department, Police Department, the Department of Public Works and City Hall.

The union members will vote to give their endorsement to one candidate, which is supposed to be announced this week.

The 34th district here in Somerville consists of Wards 2, 4, and 7, as well as Ward 8 in Medford.

The primary election is to be held on September 9.