Press Coverage

Four years ago, the Democratic Party reached a new apex in Massachusetts with the landslide election of Deval Patrick as governor. But just over seven months ago, the moods of the two major parties in Massachusetts did a complete switch.

The four candidates hoping to win this fall’s gubernatorial contest finally got down to business Monday night with a debate that focused largely on energy, including nuclear power’s role. 

The high cost of energy in New England makes it a major concern for all.

Independent Candidate Tim Cahill began his closing statement in Monday’s first gubernatorial debate with a plea to be included – along with Green-Rainbow party candidate Jill Stein – in subsequent debates. Then he and Stein went on to show, with their contributions to the debate on Cape Wind, that they bring thoughtful, distinct perspectives the voters deserve to hear.

Incumbent Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick was the lone candidate to defend a planned wind farm off Cape Cod at a gubernatorial debate Monday focused on the future of renewable energy in Massachusetts.

Patrick said the proposed 130-turbine Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound will thrust the state to the forefront of offshore wind energy in the US and guarantee reliably priced electricity into the future.

Republican Charles D. Baker and independent candidate Timothy P. Cahill attacked Gov. Deval L. Patrick's programs to promote wind and solar energy as too costly, during an energy debate yesterday. Both said they favor increased use of nuclear power.

In the first debate of the gubernatorial campaign last night, Gov. Deval Patrick stood out as the lone voice of support for the Cape Wind project that would bring the nation's first offshore wind farm to Nantucket Sound.

His stance sparked protests from his rivals, who said the high cost of energy produced by the 130 wind turbines will hurt business and consumers.

The Bay State's gubernatorial candidates duked it out yesterday over Cape Wind and its effect on climate change, the state's economy and energy policy.

Cape Wind, the Nantucket Sound wind energy development, is in the final stages of review by the Department of Public Utilities. A decision is expected this fall, while Gov. Deval Patrick is still in office. But his opponents in this fall’s gubernatorial race say they would chart a different course for the state even if Cape Wind is approved.

Gov. Deval Patrick’s three challengers yesterday slammed his plan to build wind turbines off Cape Cod, casting the $2 billion project as a no-bid boondoggle and warning it could mushroom into Bay State’s next Big Dig.

Incumbent Gov. Deval Patrick came out as the lone candidate in favor of Cape Wind yesterday, as Green Rainbow Party candidate Jill Stein distanced herself from the $2 billion energy project citing the no-bid contract with developer Jim Gordon, and a lack of transparency with respect to costs.