Did You Know There Is An Election 3 Weeks From Today?

On Oct. 15, Framingham voters, will join those in two dozen communities across three counties, at the polls to elect one Democrat and one Republican to run against each other on Dec. 10, to become the district's next U.S. Representative in the 5th Congressional District.

While many of the candidates started campaigning in the summer, the election is just three weeks away today.

On Sunday night, the seven Democratic candidates in the primary race participated in a 2-hour debate at Framingham State University, sponsored by the Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland and Weston Democratic committees.

Before a crowd of more than 100 individuals, candidates State Sen. Will Brownsberger, State Sen. Katherine Clark, Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, Lexington resident Martin Long, Stoneham resident Paul Maisano, State Rep. Carl Sciortino and State Sen. Karen Spilka gave their views on everything from voting rights to climate control.

The seven Democratic candidates were asked a dozen questions by Massachusetts Party Chairman John Walsh. Several of the candidates skirted answering a specific question asked.

One reason the debate was civil could be Sciortino description of the district as  "one of the safest Democratic seats in the country." 

Questions focused on foreign policy, education, working with Republicans, making budget cuts and minimum wage. There were no question on crime, gun control or immigration.

When it came to education, Long questioned if the U.S. is doing anything right. He said for the industrial revolution American needed to produce good workers, who knew math and could read and write; but to compete today America needs people who think creatively and can make connections.

Brownsberger said the government needs to "do a better job" teaching to the "unique needs of every learner."

Maisano said the issue was easy for him. He has two daughters at home who "have degrees and no jobs." He said they are "buried in debt." He said The United States needs to "create jobs" in what students are "trained in."

Spilka said the federal government needs to follow Massachusetts' lead in education. She said there is a need for "early education" and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.

Clark said the government needs to focus on early education. She said everything needs to be done so that a child can read by third grade.

Koutoujian said he would want to invest in pre-kindergarten programs and said a "child's education should not depend on the zip code they are born in."

Sciortino, who said he was a primary sponsor of MCAS reform, said too much emphasis has been put on standardized testing.

Scortino said American is "failing families" with its minimum wage. He said Congress should be discussing a "living wage" as some families can not survive off minimum wage. He said he would support a minimum wage closer to $15 an hour.

The current minimum federal wage is $7.25 per hour. A parent working 40 hours a week, for one year, on minimum wage would earn $15,080 annually, before taxes.

Brownsberger said the minimum wage should be closer to $10 or $11 an hour. 

Maisano said increasing the minimum wage would "build the economy back up" and "bring unemployment down." Maisano said "we have to get this economy kicking. Without jobs, we are going to have a million problems."

Koutoujian said "nobody working full time should live in poverty." That he would support raising the minimum age and creating a sick pay leave for all Americans.

Spilka said the federal minimum wage is too low and that each state should have the right to set a different rate. 

Clark said when she was in college she worked as a waitress and earned $2.01 plus tips. She said waitresses and waiters today earn $2.63 an hour. She said women need to "make the same money for the same work" and that she agrees with Sen. Elizabeth warren that no one "should be working full time and still be poor."

Issues raised during the debate, ranged from college affordability to improving the economy.

Spilka was she would support "zero percent loans for college."

Clark said she would push for "universal preschool." She also wants college to be more affordable.

Maisano said the recession is far from over. He said the numbers are being "fudged" to show the economy is improving. He said the stimulus package was like placing a "Band-aid on a bleeding artery." The real solution to ending the recession is "getting everyone back to work again," he added.

Long said the Republicans control everything and to stop laws from going into action, the Democrats need to go at the Republicans; and he has a 7-point plan to do that, if elected.

Koutoujian, said he would be a "strong progressive leader" who would "stand up for the middle class. He said he would work to "reduce gun violence," "improve safety in our communities" and improve "access to excellent education."

Brown said when it comes to U.S. foreign policy American needs to "approach it with great humility" and "recognize we can't dictate policy to any nation."

Sciortino said he was the first Democratic candidate to come out against Syria and that America is "far to eager to get into war."

Editor's Note: Originally posted at 6:48 p.m. Sept. 23. Updated on Sept. 24.