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Democratic candidates for the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s seat (from left) Michael E. Capuano, Martha Coakley, Alan Khazei, and Stephen Pagliuca debated last night at the Iron Workers Local 7 union hall in South Boston.
(Matthew J. Lee/Globe StaffBefore a welcoming crowd of labor leaders, the four Democratic candidates vying for the seat held by the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy vowed to continue his efforts to reform health care, support workers’ rights, and hold big businesses accountable, during a debate last night that could prove to be pivotal in the six weeks leading up to the Dec. 8 primary election.
At stake was the support of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, the debate host, which could be instrumental in providing resources and organizational support in this abbreviated campaign for a coveted US Senate seat. The union, the largest umbrella labor organization in the state, plans to make an endorsement today. The general election is Jan. 19.
But last night’s forum did little to differentiate the candidates, all of whom seemed to have a relative who was sick and benefited from health care, a mother who was a teacher or a nurse, or a grandfather who was an immigrant and worked hard to support a family. All sounded a steady drumbeat in support of issues most critical to labor groups: wages, health insurance reform, and workers’ rights.
“There’s good reason to support any one of these candidates,’’ Warren E. Tolman, a Boston lawyer, former state senator and representative, political commentator, and last night’s host, said in closing remarks.
One key difference was Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca’s hesitancy to support the Employee Free Choice Act, known as the “card check bill,’’ which would ease the requirements to form a union and would strengthen penalties against companies that interfere with union movements.
Pagliuca said he has heard much opposition to the bill, while opponents Alan Khazei, the cofounder of City Year, Attorney General Martha Coakley, and US Representative Michael E. Capuano said they would support the measure.
Pagliuca and Khazei also went against the grain when they voiced their support for free trade agreements, as long as they included “fair trade’’ stipulations. The candidates said the agreements could help in the export of local goods, including hospital equipment made here.
Coakley and Capuano said they would work to strengthen production and increase jobs within the country.
In the only reference to casino gambling, Khazei used his opening statements to reiterate his opposition to allowing casinos in Massachusetts, a stance that differs with a labor union that has supported gambling because of the jobs it would create. But Khazei said the jobs, on average, are low-paying and not the type a union would typically want.
“We’re not always going to agree on everything, but I’ll tell you what I think,’’ he said. “It’s a moral issue, it’s an economic issue.’’
On general issues such as education and health care, the candidates seemed in unison. All supported a public option in a universal health care plan, saying it would increase competition among insurers and cut down on skyrocketing costs. Coakley added that the option would increase transparency among insurers.
On education, all agreed they would work to restructure standardized testing required under the No Child Left Behind Act.
Dozens of people attended the debate, which was held at the Iron Workers Local 7 union hall in South Boston.
Capuano, in the only spirited commentary of the night, tried to distance himself from his opponents, saying he was the sole candidate who worked as a congressman and as mayor of Somerville, on the health care, union contract, and free trade measures that were addressed.
“Here’s the difference in this campaign,’’ he said. “[The candidates are pledging] ‘I will do this, I would do that, I would do this’ - I have done it. I have done it for years, with some of the people in this room, every time I’ve been asked.’’
Coakley, citing her work as attorney general, said it was the same crowd before her that three years ago encouraged her aggressive work to enforce fair wage laws and challenge big businesses. “I’m not afraid to take on those people, and I’m not afraid to go after Wall Street,’’ she said.
Pagliuca called himself the only candidate with a background in business, giving him the experience to help create jobs, reform health care, and restructure the country’s ailing financial system.
Khazei said his work in founding City Year, which he called a movement, has had him drafting legislation, creating jobs, and working with businesses.
Milton Valencia can be reached at mvalencia@globe.com. 
