Mass. Democratic U.S. Senate Candidates Agree to Debates

BOSTON (AP) — Democratic Congressmen Stephen Lynch and Ed Markey have agreed to six debates in their race for the Massachusetts U.S. Senate special election nomination to replace John Kerry.

The candidates announced Monday they will hold three general issues debates, in Boston, Worcester and Springfield. Other debates will focus on jobs and the economy, domestic policy and foreign policy. Two of the debates will be in Lowell and New Bedford. The sixth location has yet to be determined.

The campaigns say the debate hosts haven't been decided, but they are expected to include local media consortiums. They say they'll be working out specific dates and details with various media outlets.

The primary is April 30.

Republican hopefuls include Norfolk state Rep. Daniel Winslow, Cohasset businessman Gabriel Gomez and former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.