Mass. Dems Hold 1st Senate Debate Since Attack

National security issues are likely to be at the forefront when Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Edward Markey and Stephen Lynch meet in their first debate since the Boston Marathon bombing.

The Massachusetts congressmen, seeking the Senate seat formerly held by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, will take part in a televised debate Monday night at the WBZ-TV studios.

The meeting comes a little more than a week before the April 30 primaries.

Markey and Lynch both suspended their campaigns after the attack last Monday, as did the three Republican candidates — former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan, state Rep. Daniel Winslow and Cohasset businessman Gabriel Gomez.

The special election for the Senate seat is scheduled for June 25.