Joseph Kennedy III, under pressure, agrees to another televised debate with Sean Bielat
Democratic congressional candidate Joseph P. Kennedy III, under pressure to agree to more debates, has scheduled another televised faceoff with his Republican opponent, Sean Bielat.
Aides to Kennedy and Bielat confirmed that the two will debate Oct. 24 on WFXT-TV (Channel 25).
Kennedy, a scion of the famous political family, had been facing criticism from Bielat for only agreeing to one debate on a major television station — a 30-minute forum that aired on WCVB-TV (Channel 5) on a Sunday morning last month.
Kennedy and Bielat have also agreed to two debates that will not be broadcast as widely: a MassINC forum in Fall River Wednesday, which will be broadcast on local TV and radio; and a League of Women Voters forum on Monday in Wellesley, which will not be broadcast.
Bielat had argued that Kennedy, in avoiding more debates, was running a classic frontrunners’ strategy in hopes of cruising into office without having to defend his resume or beliefs. With his fundraising advantage and famous name, Kennedy is considered the heavy favorite in the race to replace Democratic US Representative Barney Frank.
Kennedy, however, has pointed to his many meet-and-greet events to argue that he is engaging with voters.
Michael Levenson can be reached at mlevenson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @mlevenson.
