State Rep. Candidate Debate to be Hosted by Watertown News, Watertown Cable

In the first of two debates for races in the Sept. 1, 2026 State Primary, the candidates for 10th Middlesex State Representative will appear in a live televised debate on Watertown Cable Access Television. The debate is co-sponsored by Watertown News. State Rep. John Lawn and challenger Alison Leary, who is a Newton City Councilor, will be in the Watertown Cable studio for the debate on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 at 7 p.m. The moderator will be Watertown Cable Anchor Jim Vershbow.

Watertown Police Unions Endorse Candidate for Middlesex District Attorney

David Solet

The following announcement was provided by the David Solet for Middlesex District Attorney Campaign:

Two Watertown Police Unions announced July 22 that they have endorsed David Solet, a veteran trial attorney and 2025 Middlesex County Prosecutor of the Year, to replace current District Attorney Marian Ryan, citing fundamental differences in their approach to pursuing justice and protecting the residents of Middlesex County. The Watertown Superiors Police Association and the Watertown Police Patrol Association noted that Solet would crack down on illegal gun trafficking, prioritize the prosecution of repeat violent offenders, and fight for changes to close loopholes in state laws that jeopardize public safety. The two unions join 25 other public safety unions and organizations across Middlesex County — including the Cambridge, Somerville, Lowell, and Framingham Police Associations — endorsing Solet in his bid to unseat the 13-year incumbent in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary. Lt. Wayne Hoiseth, President of the Watertown Superiors Association, said: “In our line of work, trust is everything.

State Auditor Endorses Candidate for State Senate

Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by Daniel Lander for State Senate:

State Auditor Diana DiZoglio endorsed Daniel Lander’s campaign for State Senate, providing significant momentum to Daniel Lander’s campaign against the architect of the broken status quo on Beacon Hill as the campaigns head into the last six weeks. A former State Senator herself, DiZoglio has spent her career fighting for transparency on Beacon Hill. As Auditor, DiZoglio led the successful statewide ballot campaign to audit the state legislature. Despite receiving overwhelming support from more than 70% of voters, Senator Brownsberger and his colleagues in Senate leadership have spent the past year and half trying to block the legislative audit.

Candidates for Congress Appearing at Forum Hosted by Watertown Group

The candidates running for the Massachusetts 5th Congressional District seat will appear on a virtual forum sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment. See details provided by the group, below. Meet the candidates in the Democratic Primary for Representative of CD5 in Congress: Katherine Clark, Jonathan Paz, and Tarik Samman. Attend our Candidates Forum on Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. on Zoom to hear what they have to say and to ask them questions. 

The primary is Sept.

Mass. Teachers Association Backs State Senate Candidate

Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by Dan Lander for State Senate:

Daniel Lander is proud to announce that his campaign for State Senate was endorsed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the union representing 117,00 educators throughout the state, including hundreds in Watertown, Cambridge, and Belmont. The endorsement highlights that the status quo is failing working people in Massachusetts, and that educators are ready for a state senate that fights for better public schools, better pay for teachers, and better conditions for students. “I am very proud to receive an endorsement from the MTA,” said Daniel Lander. “Massachussetts has some of the best public schools in the country because we have the best public school educators in the nation.

LETTER: Watertown Resident Supports State Senate Candidate

To my Watertown friends and neighbors:

Senator Will Brownsberger is running for re-election and I enthusiastically support his continued service as our State Senator. Over many years of public service, Senator Brownsberger has earned the trust of our communities through thoughtful leadership, accessibility, and an unwavering dedication to serving his constituents. 

I have been especially impressed with Senator Brownsberger’s commitment to improving education in Massachusetts, and in Watertown. The Senator is aware of particular funding challenges that arise in our community. Through his investigation into the highly-complicated funding formula for schools (Chapter 70), he discovered that Watertown was not receiving the money to which we are entitled. Over his 12 years in the State Senate, this has led to nearly $22 million dollars of additional funding coming from the state to Watertown.

Charles River Chamber Hosting House, Senate Candidate Debates

The Charles River Regional Chamber will host a pair of debates with candidates running to represent Watertown in the State House. The 10th Middlesex House debate with John Lawn and Alison Leary takes place on July 21, and the Suffolk and Middlesex State Senate debate will be on Aug. 10. See more information from the Chamber, below. Join us for two virtual debates between candidates for the State House competing on Sept 1.

State Senate Candidate Endorsed by Statewide Environmental Group

Will Brownsberger

The following announcement was provided by the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund:

The Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund has endorsed Will Brownsberger for re-election as Suffolk and Middlesex District State Senator, a credit to his commitment to the environment and climate action. Issues of environmental justice, public health, transportation, and energy policy are inextricably linked. Because of this, we need leaders at every level of government who will call for ambitious action. 

“Will Brownsberger has consistently advanced policies that strengthen climate resilience and support a cleaner energy future,” said Casey Bowers, Executive Director of the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund. “His leadership on building decarbonization, grid modernization, and clean energy technologies will help Massachusetts continue making progress toward its climate goals.”

Will Brownsberger is running for the Suffolk and Middlesex District seat, a position he has held since 2012. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Brownsberger was the 24th Middlesex State Representative from 2007 until 2012. Since taking office, Brownsberger has championed affordable housing, climate resilience, criminal justice reform, and investments in mental and public health services.