Ed Coppinger - Massachusetts State Representative

It was a last glance at the six running Democratic candidates for the 10th Suffolk District State Representative seat prior to Tuesday’s election; each was allowed a carefully-timed five minute window to articulate their positions. All six made good use of their time, though some put across their ideas with more detail than others.

Health care and prescription drug costs are among the highest expenses that seniors face. As long as health care is a private sector product, these costs will continue to sky rocket. A single payer health care system will reduce costs for seniors and for all citizens. If single payer is not politically possible, I would support a system that creates a public option for health care, while allowing residents who want to keep their private insurance to do so.

I have helped connect residents to their local businesses by creating a website that serves as a clearinghouse of information for all things West Roxbury. Through this site, residents learn about the opening of new businesses, special events in the community and local restaurant options.

Tynan, Sullivan and Julian said they all supported abortion rights and gay marriage, while Coppinger and Benedetti said they supported gay marriage, but were opposed to abortion. Joyce said he opposed abortion and supported making gay marriage a ballot question for voters.But several candidates said residents are more concerned with jobs and the economy than positions on hot-button issues like gay marriage.

She said that residents she has spoken to worried about the loss of green open space on the property, and questioned what kind of project is possible under the current zoning.

Jobs, jobs, jobs. I think people are either out of work and need jobs or people have left the industry or they have jobs and they’re worried if the company is going to stay here … Jobs and finances, seniors aren’t as concerned with jobs but how to stretch their dollar. It ties into the financial times we’re dealing with.