Decker, MacKay Trade Barbs in Heated Cambridge State House Debate

Two candidates running to represent Cambridge on Beacon Hill, incumbent state Representative Marjorie C. Decker and challenger Evan C. MacKay ’19, exchanged blows in an impassioned candidate debate Thursday evening.

The pair, facing off in the upcoming Democratic primary for the 25th Middlesex district seat, discussed public safety, affordability, and legislative transparency — at times exchanging personal attacks, drawing into question each other’s qualifications and campaign promises.

The event — held in the immediate aftermath of the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Xavier Bautista, a Cambridge Public Works department employee who was found dead early Saturday morning — began with each candidate discussing how they would address gun violence in the city.

Decker, serving her seventh term in the State House, leaned on her position as chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health, saying she has focused her efforts on groups closest to those affected by gun violence.

“In this position, I often have went to community organizations all over the state, and we talked about the importance of funding community organizations that actually are closest,” Decker said.

MacKay, who came just 41 votes from unseating Decker in the 2024 Democratic primary, emphasized the importance of addressing violence through policy.

“We need to pursue evidence-based policy, and we even insist that any level of violence is unacceptable,” MacKay said. “We need to continue pushing forward on some safety legislation, because Massachusetts should be leading the way,” they added.

The two split on how to generate more money for public programs, as municipalities face increasingly stringent budgets for public assistance programs amid federal cuts. MacKay claimed the easiest path would be to raise the tax rate on wealthy residents.

“Taxing the rich is one of the most important things that needs to happen in Massachusetts right now,” MacKay said. “This is one of the wealthiest states in the entire country, and it is one of the least equal states in the country.”

Decker took a different route, championing her work securing millions in funding for healthcare access and domestic violence victim support, and said she will continue to fight for lost funding.

While the two largely disagreed on policy approaches, they aligned on State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s effort to audit the state legislature through an examination of the body’s finances and operations.

“Let’s get it done. So I have supported it. I will continue to support it,” Decker said.

MacKay, while discussing the audit, took the opportunity to inquire whether Decker would take a People’s Pledge — an agreement candidates sign that indicates they would not take money from Super PACs.

Decker struck back, attacking MacKay’s lack of political experience.

“I don’t know a lot about you,” Decker said. “Where’s your experience from?”

MacKay furthered their inquiries into Decker’s record, alleging that she has voted against policies she publicly supports during voice votes, taking advantage of a lack of voter roll call.

“The reason that State House leadership prefers secrecy is that they do not want to face any amount of accountability,” MacKay said.

Decker, in response, accused MacKay of attempting to misrepresent her platform to voters.

“My opponent has spent enough time in school, understanding how government works,” Decker said. “Are you intentionally trying to confuse voters on where I stand?”

Much of MacKay’s experience comes from their time at Harvard, where they led the University’s graduate students union and organized for a range of political issues — including DiZoglio’s legislative audit — while an undergraduate and graduate student.

Decker, meanwhile, has worked in local elected offices since 1999, beginning with a stint on the Cambridge City Council and most recently taking office on Beacon Hill in 2013.

The candidates are both continuing to ramp up their support networks and public appearances as the Sept. 1 Democratic primary approaches.

—Staff writer Shawn A. Boehmer can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at shawnb.18. Follow him on X @ShawnBoehmer.