7 Candidates, 6 Questions: Congressional Hopefuls Address Voters at Town Hall

The seven Democratic candidates seeking the 6th Congressional District seat appeared Saturday at the Billerica Town Hall Auditorium for a constituent town hall hosted by the Democratic Town Committees of Burlington, Bedford, and Billerica.

The event, titled “Our Town Decides” and moderated by Sandra Giroux of Billerica Access Television (BATV), featured six questions on issues ranging from healthcare and immigration to childcare and foreign policy.

The winner of the Democratic primary will seek to fill the seat currently held by Seth Moulton at the conclusion of his term.

The Candidates

Seven candidates appeared, each with a unique point of view on the issues impacting voters today and how they would prioritize bringing the country forwards vis-a-vis their work for the district:

• Tram Nguyen, state representative for the 18th Essex District
• Rick Jakious, longtime aide to Rep. Moulton
• Bethany Andres-Beck, software engineer
• John Becchia, business leader
• Jamie Belsito, Topsfield moderator and former state representative
• Dan Koh, former Biden administration official
• Mariah Lancaster, veterinarian and former State Department official

Each outlined their background and priorities before responding to the evening’s questions.

Question 1: Healthcare

Candidates generally expressed support for moving toward a single-payer healthcare system, arguing it would improve affordability and access. They also expressed the need for and a stronger focus on primary care, preventive care, and mental health. They also rejected the practice of healthcare being a profit-driven industry.

Andres-Beck said the country needs community health centers around the country to increase its investment in baseline care, and Belsito emphasized the need for greater workforce development, citing a shortage among healthcare workers.

Question 2: Bipartisanship

Candidates differed perhaps the most on this question, from Andres-Beck and Nguyen who said they would build coalitions with other members of Congress committeed to working together on priorities to Koh who warned voters, "These are not normal times" and not to "fall" for collaborating with extremist Republicans.

Lancaster said collaboration across the aisle "works in certain situations" but warned that voters feel disenfranchised because Democrats have a reputation of not getting anything done at the highest levels of government and that compromise can dilute the party's power. Andres-Beck and Lancaster both argued, as well, that bipartisanship often serves corporate interests rather than everyday people.

Question 3: Immigration

Several candidates said the current immigration system is not functioning effectively, saying the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency should be dismantled and that individuals who break the law should be prosecuted.

Andres-Beck said the immigration system should benefit workers, not just corporations, and Becchia and Nguyen said the country needs a path to citizenship, with Becchia saying the Justice Department needs to be trusted to deal with immigrants who commit crimes in the U.S. Lancaster said the country is in an era of disinformation and propaganda where the "right way" to enter the country is broken.

Question 4: Issues Impacting Senior Citizens

Candidates universally identified affordability as the biggest issue impacting seniors, with many pointing specifically to Medicare and Social Security as safety nets that need to be reinforced.

Jakious said the country should begin to "treat [seniors] as an asset to our communities," suggesting a "Senior Corps" where those who have the ability and motivation can serve the community in new ways, while Andres-Beck proposed a "robot tax" that could mitigate the effects of shrinking the workforce due to AI while providing funding for social programs.

Becchia said the country needs to "stop being obsessed with single-family homes" and create more housing options, and Belsito uniquely focused on how federal underfunding forces seniors to bear education and healthcare costs through local property taxes.

Question 5: Military Strike on Iran

Several candidates criticized what they described as insufficient Congressional oversight and raised concerns about prolonged military engagement in the region.

Belsito and Koh referenced the issues at home that had been discussed earlier in the event, with Koh saying the attack was a distraction from issues at home and the money spent on these wars could be used to reform healthcare, housing, and other issues that would improve life for Americans at home.

Lancaster and Nguyen both criticized Congress for leaving in place the Authorization for Use of Military Force, which became law in 2001 and granted the president the unilateral authority over the use of military force. Belsito said she has pledged not to take defense contractor money for her campaign, and Jakious expressed concern for the military personnel and regional civilians already impacted by these actions.

Question 6: Childcare

Universal preK was cited by candidates across the panel as the way forward, with Becchia pointing out that the issue is multifaceted, including the need for tax reform and wage increases. Jakious highlighted the need for more cohesive training programs and pipelines for educators. Belsito lamented the current state of the industry, saying, "We don't value women. We don't value the care workforce." She and Koh agreed that the solution is clear but the political will to actually solve things is lacking.

Closing Thoughts

Each candidate closed with some final thoughts for voters. Lancaster and Nguyen discussed accountability to – and communication with – voters, with Nguyen pointing out her track record of success at the state level. Koh and Becchia focused their closing remarks on helping everyday Americans and supporting the most vulnerable members of society. Andres-Beck emphasized the grassroots nature and community focus of their campaign. Belsito and Jakious renounced "politics as usual" and reinforced the need for new faces who would fight the status quo – and win.

While the forum was held in Billerica, Burlington residents are part of the 6th Congressional District and will participate in the upcoming primary on September 1, 2026. Local turnout and engagement could play a significant role in what is expected to be a closely watched race.

"Our Town Decides" will be broadcast on BATV and is available for syndication; reach out to BATV directly.