Organizers have canceled a U.S. Senate candidate forum slated for tomorrow, April 20 at Roxbury Community College.
The cancelation is due to the ongoing Boston Marathon bombing suspect manhunt, according to MassVOTE, one of the groups that organized the event.
Democratic candidates U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch (8th District) and U.S. Rep. Ed Markey (5th District), were confirmed to appear. The three Republican candidates–former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan; Gabriel Gomez, a Cohasset resident and former Navy SEAL; and state Rep. Daniel Winslow (9th Norfolk District)–had not confirmed an appearance.
The Lynch and Markey campaigns had already told the Gazette they intended to pull out of the forum.
Andrew Zucker, a spokesperson for the Markey campaign, released a statement to the Gazette that said, “As heroic law enforcement officers work to apprehend those responsible for the senseless tragedy at the Boston Marathon, we’re instructing our staff to stay safe, and follow the guidance of the Boston police force and other law enforcement officials. We’ve cancelled our canvasses, phone banks, events and advertising through Saturday, and like the people of Massachusetts we are approaching this day by day, and hour by hour.”
Conor Yunits, spokesperson for the Lynch campaign, said in an email to the Gazette, “After discussion with the Markey campaign, we do not feel it would be appropriate to hold this event tomorrow.”
The candidates are seeking the U.S. Senate seat recently vacated by John Kerry, who is now the U.S. secretary of state. The primary election is April 30. The general election is June 25. Interim Sen. William Cowan holds the seat in the meantime.