For his part, Markey denied that he was trying to link Gomez to Newtown, saying that to do so would be “ridiculous.” But he criticized Gomez for only supporting background check legislation and not a full assault weapons ban.
Calling background checks for a wider range of firearm sales “the minimum” response to gun violence, Markey said that he believed that Massachusetts representatives should lead the way on progressive gun reform.
“We are supposed to be the leader. We know that the assault weapons should be off the streets. We know that high-capacity magazines should be banned,” Markey said to his opponent. “That is a huge difference between what you and I are promising the people of Massachusetts.”
The candidates went on to discuss a wide range of issues. When talk turned to the Affordable Care Act, the massive health care legislation of 2010, Gomez attacked Markey for not voting to repeal the medical device tax, which affects the Commonwealth’s large medical device industry.
“It just tells me that you put party and politics before the people of Massachusetts,” Gomez said of Markey’s nay vote.
Throughout the night, as Gomez continued to try to portray Markey as a firm partisan, Markey defended himself.
“This whole idea that Mr. Gomez is going to be bipartisan and that my basic philosophy isn’t bipartisan is totally wrong,” Markey said at one point.
Before the debate, the scene outside the studio was dominated by Markey supporters, who turned out in droves to wave signs for the Malden congressman.
“Take a look at the support. It’s indicative of also what you’ll find in other places,” one Markey backer, Robin Huer of Weymouth, said in an interview. “It’s just more of a positive thing with the Democratic ticket.”
For Huer, maintaining the momentum of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren’s victory last November is a primary consideration.
“She’s a rockstar, I campaigned for her,” Huer said of Warren, who is a former Harvard Law School professor. “It’s very crucial. We can’t negate Elizabeth Warren’s vote.”
The special election is slated for June 25. President Barack Obama is scheduled to campaign for Markey in Boston next Wednesday.
—Staff writer Matthew Q. Clarida can be reached at clarida@college.harvard.edu. Follow him on Twitter @MattClarida.