7 Dem. Candidates Agree To Mass. U.S. Senate Debate

BOSTON — All seven Democratic candidates hoping to unseat Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown have agreed to their first full debate.

The debate will be a key test for Elizabeth Warren, who jumped into the race last week. Warren is largely untested as a candidate, having spent nearly two decades as a Harvard Law professor and consumer advocate.

Warren will have plenty of company on stage, including Newton Mayor Setti Warren, City Year youth program co-founder Alan Khazei, immigration attorney Marisa DeFranco, state Rep. Tom Conroy, former candidate for lieutenant governor Bob Massie and Newton resident Herb Robinson.

Democrats are eager to reclaim the seat, which was held for nearly half a century by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

The debate is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.