Overview
- The one-hour debate, produced by a WCVB–WBUR–Boston Globe consortium, will be moderated by Ed Harding with panelists Sharman Sacchetti, Adrian Walker and Tiziana Dearing.
- Both campaigns view the event as a last major shared appearance because hundreds of thousands of mail ballots are already in circulation and early voting starts this weekend.
- Key issues expected to dominate are rising costs and affordability, competing gas-tax holiday proposals, education policy, and federal immigration enforcement.
- Healey plans to highlight her first-term record and tie Minogue to national Republican leaders, while Minogue is emphasizing pocketbook relief and casting himself as independent from Washington spending.
- Analysts say Minogue needs a clearer response on his support for President Trump and a stronger affordability message, and they expect Healey to press her record and show more energy to reassure voters.