District 4 candidates meet for debate

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) – Candidates for District 4 in Massachusetts fielded questions at a debate-style gathering in Fall River Wednesday.

Supporters for both sides arrived early to welcome Sean Bielat (R) and Joe Kennedy III (D) to UMass Dartmouth’s Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center.

The candidates squared-off in their quest to fill the Congressional seat left vacant by U.S. Representative Barney Frank (D).

Both candidates set out to tackle issues ranging from the local economy and job growth, to health care and education.

Plans for certain hot topics differed between the two, especially in regards to the economy. While Kennedy wants to focus on developing the work force, but Bielat believes there is simply a job shortage.

In addition, Kennedy and Bielat were able to shed more light on their backgrounds throughout the debate. While Kennedy is a former Assistant District Attorney for Middlesex County, Bielat is a businessman and Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.