McGee, Dent debate for state senate seat in Marblehead

MARBLHEAD – Two candidates for state senator traded blows in their first public debate Monday at the Marblehead Village School, in front of an audience of 150.The debate between State Sen. Thomas McGee, D-Lynn, a former lawyer and assistant district attorney, and Republican challenger Chris Dent of Nahant, a Boston commodities analyst and the first Republican to seek to seat in 18 years, was sponsored by the League of Woman Voters.Asked about the unfairness of Chapter 70?s education aid formula to Swampscott, Dent accused McGee of looking like he “mailed in” his support for his unsuccessful legislation to improve that formula this year and called it “too little, too late.”?The only legislators that supported you were two Republicans,” he said, questioning whether McGee was motivated solely by Dent?s candidacy.For his part McGee said people shouldn?t judge his eight years of service by a two-minute videotape. “This was the first time in eight years that we weren?t moving forward with something on this,” McGee said. “That?s why I filed the amendment. And I?m proud of my ability to work with my colleagues.”Dent accused McGee of opposing a piece of legislation that would tighten control over employers who use illegal immigrants. “I agree with you in word but not deed (on this issue),” he said. “This makes me skeptical.”McGee said Dent referred to a 22-page bill that covered several different areas and was introduced at 1:30 a.m., with no chance of discussion. He said he supported “many measures” restricting and banning the employment of illegal aliens.They also clashed on the issue of municipal health insurance plans.McGee wanted municipalities to negotiate individual health plan designs with employees, and called eliminating those negotiations “unfair.”Dent said Massachusetts doesn?t do it that way. “Everybody gets to do it or nobody does,” he said.They both opposed a graduated income tax, with Dent saying it “punishes success” and McGee saying he wanted a thorough study of fair taxation measures.For complete election coverage, visit www.itemlive.com/elections