Massachusetts
Special State Primary
5th Congressional District
October 15, 2013
THE CANDIDATES
FRANK JOHN ADDIVINOLA, JR.
(Republican)
Attorney
PAUL JOHN MAISANO
(Democrat)
Businessman
WILLIAM N. BROWNSBERGER
(Democrat)
State Senator; Former State
Representative, Selectman
CARL M., SCIORTINO JR.
(Democrat)
State Representative
KATHERINE M. CLARK
(Democrat)
State Senator; Former State
Representative
KAREN E. SPILKA
(Democrat)
State Senator; Former State
Representative, School
Committee Member
PETER J. KOUTOUJIAN
(Democrat)
Former Assistant District
Attorney, State Representative;
Middlesex Sheriff
MICHAEL P. STOPA
(Republican)
Physicist
MARTIN LONG
(Democrat)
Former Lexington School
Committee Member, Town
Meeting Member
2
TOM TIERNEY
(Republican)
Actuary, Veteran
Secular Coalition for America –5th Congressional District Primary - October 15, 2013
LONG
MAISANO
SCIORTINO
SPILKA
STOPA
TIERNEY
FINAL GRADE
KOUTOUJIAN
3. Does the candidate support social policies that do
not discriminate based on religion, such as marriage
equality?
4. Does the candidate support scientifically based
regulations including science surrounding
reproduction, stem cell research, climate change and
other issues?
CLARK
2. Does the candidate support a science based
curriculum in public schools and reject the use of
public funding of religious schools or religiously-based
curriculums?
BROWNSBERGER
1. What role would religion play in the candidate's
decision making in his or her role as Governor of
Massachusetts? Does the candidate support a
mutual separation between religion and government?
ADDIVINOLA
2013 Massachusetts
SENATE CANDIDATE SCORECARD
C
B
N/A
F
A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
F
A
A
N/A
N/A
N/A
A
A
N/A
N/A
F
A
A
N/A
N/A
N/A
A
A
N/A
F
F
A
A
N/A
N/A
N/A
A
A
C
A
F
A
N/A
N/A
A
N/A
A
A
N/A
B
Key:
Candidate’s remarks and/or actions toward the Secular Coalition’s stances have been:
A:
Generally or consistently positive.
B:
Mixed but majority positive.
C:
Mixed, with positive and negative responses.
F:
Generally or consistently hostile or negative.
N/A:
At the time of publication, the Secular Coalition for America was unable to
verify the candidate’s position or did not have enough information to rate the
candidate.
See Methodology on final page for more information on how final grades were tallied. The above chart is based on the topics and
individual candidate responses in the following sections.
3
Secular Coalition for America –5th Congressional District Primary - October 15, 2013
INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATE RESPONSES




CLARK
KOUTOUJIAN
LONG
MAISANO
SCIORTINO
SPILKA
STOPA
C
B
N/A
F
A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
TIERNEY
BROWNSBERGER
1. What role would religion play in the
candidate's decision making in his or her
role as Governor of Massachusetts? Does
the candidate support a mutual separation
between religion and government?
ADDIVINOLA
1. What role would religion play in the candidate's decision making in his or her role as Governor of
Massachusetts? Does the candidate support a mutual separation between religion and government?
N/A
ADDIVINOLA: Speaking by phone and on the record with a representative of the Secular Coalition for
Massachusetts, the candidate responded affirmatively to the question, "Do you support a mutual separation
between religion and government?" as follows: "The First Amendment is important, the Establishment Clause,
and that's the origin of that separation."1 Indicated he “harbor[s] no ill feelings towards anyone regardless of
their race, religion, gender, sexual preference, clothing preference, etc.”2 However, his policy positions, as
outlined, indicate he does use his religious belief to make policy decisions.
BROWNSBERGER: In a post for his website, he wrote: I believe that the founders got it right when they
authored the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” 3 " In a direct response email to the Secular Coalition for Massachusetts,
wrote, “I do support a separation of church and state. […]I don't feel strongly about prayers at public meetings -if that helps the people present get themselves in the right frame of mind, I don't object (although I am
personally a [Unitarian Universalist ] humanist).” In response to a questionnaire sent by the Secular Coalition for
Massachusetts, wrote, “My politics are informed by my UU/Humanist values, which come out of the JudeoChristian tradition.”
CLARK: N/A
KOUTOUJIAN: In May, he attended Newton's Community Prayer Breakfast, appearing with Mayor Setti Warren
and Senator Elizabeth Warren.4 He cites his religious identity and belief several times and has ended speeches
including the phrase, “God bless America.” 5
1
Zachary Bos, interview held via telephone, Boston, Massachusetts, October 8, 2013.
Ronukaitus, Paul J., Vote Core Values, August 20, 2012,
http://www.votecorevalues.com/home/2012/Massachusetts/Congress/ADDIVINOLA.html
3
“Protecting Free Speech,” William Brownsberger State Senator, http://willbrownsberger.com/protecting-free-speech/ (accessed
October 9, 2013)
4
Peter Koutoujian, Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PeterKoutoujian
Secular Coalition for America –5th Congressional District Primary - October 15, 2013
2
4

LONG: In a post on his website, Born Again Democrat, he writes: we are not limiting freedom of religion by
requiring religious institutions to follow the laws that everyone else in our country must follow. He criticized Rick
Santorum for not believing in the absolute separation of church and state. He criticized Mississippi Governor
Haley Barbour for pardoning felons solely based on their Christian faith.





MAISANO: N/A
SCIORTINO: N/A
SPILKA: N/A
STOPA: N/A
TIERNEY: N/A





BROWNSBERGER
CLARK
KOUTOUJIAN
LONG
MAISANO
SCIORTINO
SPILKA
STOPA
TIERNEY
2. Does the candidate support a sciencebased curriculum in public schools and
reject the use of public funding of religious
schools or religiously-based curriculums?
ADDIVINOLA
2. Does the candidate support a science-based curriculum in public schools and reject the use of public
funding of religious schools or religiously-based curriculums?
F
A
A
N/A
N/A
N/A
A
A
N/A
N/A
ADDIVINOLA: On a candidate questionnaire, said he would “support taxpayer support of abstinence
education , not abortion.” 6
BROWNSBERGER: Supports sexual education programs that include information on abstinence,
contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods. Does not support abstinence-only sexual education programs
or school vouchers.7 " In a direct response email to the Secular Coalition for Massachusetts, wrote, “I do support
teaching of evolution. […]I am OK with charter schools -- if they have a state charter, then they are providing
education aligned with the state's core curriculum and they are not religious schools per se. I don't support
state funding of private or church-based religious schools.”
CLARK: Supports sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and
HIV/STD prevention methods. Does not support abstinence-only sexual education programs or school vouchers.8
KOUTOUJIAN: N/A
LONG: N/A
5
"Significant speech by Peter Koutoujian, Sheriff of county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, on Pontian Genocide Memorial Day,"
NewsNowgr.com, May 19, 2013, http://www.newsnowgr.com/article/431591/Significant-speech-by-Peter-Koutoujian-Sheriff-ofcounty-of-Middlesex-Massachusetts-on-Pontian-Genocide-Memorial-Day.html
6
Ronukaitus, Paul J., Vote Core Values, August 20, 2012,
http://www.votecorevalues.com/home/2012/Massachusetts/Congress/ADDIVINOLA.html
7
"Political Courage Test: William Brownsberger," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/35683/karenspilka#.UlMWsT-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
8
"Political Courage Test: Katherine Clark," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-couragetest/35858/katherine-clark/#.UlMSFD-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
Secular Coalition for America –5th Congressional District Primary - October 15, 2013
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




MAISANO: N/A
SCIORTINO: Supports sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and
HIV/STD prevention methods. Does not support abstinence-only sexual education programs or school vouchers.9
SPILKA: Supports sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and
HIV/STD prevention methods. Does not support abstinence-only sexual education programs or school
vouchers.10
On her website states, “she will be a champion of Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) education to make sure that students are graduating with skills that can be used in the
current economy.”11
STOPA: N/A
TIERNEY: N/A


CLARK
KOUTOUJIAN
LONG
MAISANO
SCIORTINO
SPILKA
STOPA
F
A
A
N/A
N/A
N/A
A
A
N/A
TIERNEY
BROWNSBERGER
3. Does the candidate support social
policies that do not discriminate based on
religion, such as marriage equality?
ADDIVINOLA
3. Does the candidate support social policies that do not discriminate based on religion, such as marriage
equality?
F
ADDIVINOLA: When asked if he supports same-sex marriage he responded, “No. We must provide mechanisms
to offer same-sex couples equal benefits and rights, but leave the definition of "marriage" as a union between
one man and one woman”12 and indicated he would vote based on that belief.13 He indicated he believes
marriage is something “in accord with human nature.”14 In a phone conversation with the Secular Coalition for
Massachusetts he confirmed he does not support same-sex marriage.15
BROWNSBERGER: From his campaign website, “Marriage equality was the first major issue that Will faced as a
new state legislator in 2007. He joined the group working to protect marriage equality and lobbied his
undecided colleagues to vote against putting marriage equality on the ballot. Will believes that the Bill of Rights
is designed to protect individuals and that court decisions protecting individual liberty and equality should be
9
"Political Courage Test: Carl Sciortino," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/35964/carlsciortino-jr/#.UlMTKD-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
10
"Political Courage Test: Karen Spilka," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/35683/karenspilka/#.UlMTzj-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
11
12
http://www.karenspilkaforcongress.com/issues/2013-07-education
"Political Courage Test: Frank Addivinola," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-couragetest/125294/frank-addivinola-jr/#.UlMQBj-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
13
Ronukaitus, Paul J., Vote Core Values, August 20, 2012,
http://www.votecorevalues.com/home/2012/Massachusetts/Congress/ADDIVINOLA.html
14
Ronukaitus, Paul J., Vote Core Values, August 20, 2012,
http://www.votecorevalues.com/home/2012/Massachusetts/Congress/ADDIVINOLA.html
15
Zachary Bos, interview held via telephone, Boston, Massachusetts, October 8, 2013.
Secular Coalition for America –5th Congressional District Primary - October 15, 2013
6






not reversed by popular vote.” 16
On his website states, “I was pleased to support Massachusetts bills
controlling school bullying and protecting Transgender people from discrimination.” 17
CLARK: Indicated sexual orientation should be included in Massachusetts's anti-discrimination laws. 18
KOUTOUJIAN: N/A
LONG: N/A
MAISANO: N/A
SCIORTINO: Indicated sexual orientation should be included in Massachusetts's anti-discrimination laws. 19
SPILKA: Indicated sexual orientation should be included in Massachusetts's anti-discrimination laws.20 From her
website, “Karen is proud to be one of the first state legislators in America to vote for marriage equality in 2004.
Massachusetts was the first state in the country to legalize gay marriage and she applauds the recent Supreme
Court decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act. She feels strongly that it is fundamentally wrong for
the government to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation; love is love. Karen was thrilled to see the end
of Don't Ask Don't Tell and would be a strong supporter of the Employment Non Discrimination Act in Congress.”
21


STOPA: N/A
TIERNEY: Does not support same-sex marriage. Supports “economic parity measures (esp. income allocation)
for same-sex couples as well rights to adopt and foster-parent.”22
16
“Forum Topics: American Liberty,” Will Brownsberger for Congress, http://www.willbrownsbergerforcongress.com/about/willsrecord-as-a-state-legislator/ (Accessed October 4, 2013)
17
“Forum Topics: American Liberty,” Will Brownsberger for Congress,
http://www.willbrownsbergerforcongress.com/forums/topic/american-liberty/ (Accessed October 4, 2013)
18
"Political Courage Test: Katherine Clark," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-couragetest/35858/katherine-clark/#.UlMSFD-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
19
Political Courage Test: Carl Sciortino," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/35964/carlsciortino-jr/#.UlMTKD-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
20
"Political Courage Test: Karen Spilka," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/35683/karenspilka/#.UlMTzj-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
21
“Issues: LGBT Rights,” Karen Spilka for Congress, http://www.karenspilkaforcongress.com/issues/2013-07-lgbt-rights (Accessed
October 4, 2013)
22
Political Courage Test: Thomas Tierney," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-couragetest/13531/thomas-tierney/#.UlMUfD-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
Secular Coalition for America –5th Congressional District Primary - October 15, 2013
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
BROWNSBERGER
CLARK
KOUTOUJIAN
LONG
MAISANO
SCIORTINO
SPILKA
STOPA
TIERNEY
4. Does the candidate support scientifically
based regulations including science
surrounding reproduction, stem cell
research, climate change and other issues?
ADDIVINOLA
4. Does the candidate support scientifically based regulations including science surrounding
reproduction, stem cell research, climate change and other issues?
F
A
A
N/A
N/A
N/A
A
A
C
A
ADDIVINOLA: Identifies as pro-life, except cases of medical necessity to protect mother's health/life and where
pregnancy resulted from rape or incest. 23 He indicated he would support “diverting any current taxpayer
funding” of Planned Parenthood because they provide abortion services and checked yes in a candidate
questionnaire to the questions “I support my local church or pregnancy care center” and “I believe that abortion
is the deliberate killing of an unborn baby.”24 In a phone conversation with the Secular Coalition for
Massachusetts he declined to share his views on abortion.25

BROWNSBERGER: I support Roe v. Wade and believe that in almost all circumstances, choices about ending
pregnancy should be made by women in consultation with their physicians.26 Listed one of his legislative
priorities as “Protecting the environment, with an emphasis on controlling climate change.”27 From his website:
“Global warming is a real, scientifically-documented, human-caused phenomenon that must be remedied by
changes in human behavior…Addressing global warming is not merely an economic necessity; it is a moral
imperative.” 28



CLARK: On a VoteSmart questionnaire, indicated “Abortions should always be legal.” 29
KOUTOUJIAN: N/A
LONG: N/A
23
“Political Courage Test: Frank Addivinola," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-couragetest/125294/frank-addivinola-jr/#.UlMQBj-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
24
Ronukaitus, Paul J., Vote Core Values, August 20, 2012,
http://www.votecorevalues.com/home/2012/Massachusetts/Congress/ADDIVINOLA.html (Accessed October 4, 2013)
25
Zachary Bos, interview held via telephone, Boston, Massachusetts, October 8, 2013.
26
Political Courage Test: William Brownsberger," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/35683/karenspilka#.UlMWsT-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
27
Political Courage Test: William Brownsberger," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/35683/karenspilka#.UlMWsT-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
28
Forum Topics: American Liberty,” Will Brownsberger for Congress,
http://www.willbrownsbergerforcongress.com/forums/topic/ask-a-question-4/ (Accessed October 4, 2013)
29
"Political Courage Test: Katherine Clark," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-couragetest/35858/katherine-clark/#.UlMSFD-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
Secular Coalition for America –5th Congressional District Primary - October 15, 2013
8



MAISANO: N/A
SCIORTINO: Indicated he believes abortions should always be legal.30
SPILKA: Said she supports Roe v Wade.31 She was endorsed by Planned Parenthood, National Organization for
Women and NARAL. 32

STOPA: Indicated he is “pro-life”. 33Acknowledges that human activity is contributing to climate change and
supports the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. 34

TIERNEY: Listed as an administrative priority he would “Get a buzz going about population levels, planet stress,
super bugs, food production, resource depletion, carbon dioxide levels, etc.”35
Methodology
Candidates were graded only on questions for which the Secular Coalition was able to identify the candidates' position—
either through statements or previous actions. The Secular Coalition for Massachusetts contacted each campaign via
Twitter, telephone and email. Responses are included only for campaigns that responded by the time of publication. For
each response, the candidates were given a grade of A, B, C or F. An "A" grade earned the candidate 3 points, "B" earned
2 points, "C" earned 1 point and an “F” earned 0 points. Grades of "N/A" indicate that the Secular Coalition was unable
to identify the candidate's position on the given topic. The grades were averaged for a total. N/A grades were not
factored into the candidate's score. Candidates were given a final grade only on when the Secular Coalition was able to
identify positions on at least half the questions.
Averages were compiled on the following scale:
A = 2.25 – 3.0
B = 1.50 – 2.24
C = 0.75 – 1.49
F = 0.0 – 0.74
The Secular Coalition for America is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization whose purpose is to amplify the diverse and
growing voice of the nontheistic community in the United States. The Secular Coalition represents 11 member
organizations, more than 127 endorsing organizations and millions of Americans who support a firm separation of
religion and government. The Secular Coalition for America lobbies at the federal level, in Washington, D.C. and state
chapters lobby at the state level.
30
"Political Courage Test: Carl Sciortino," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/35964/carlsciortino-jr/#.UlMTKD-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
31
"Political Courage Test: Karen Spilka," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/35683/karenspilka/#.UlMTzj-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
32
"Candidate Evaluations: Karen Spilka," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/35683/karenspilka#.UlMWsT-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
33
"Political Courage Test: Thomas Tierney," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-couragetest/13531/thomas-tierney/#.UlMUfD-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
34
"Political Courage Test: Thomas Tierney," Project Vote Smart, http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-couragetest/13531/thomas-tierney/#.UlMUfD-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
35
"Political Courage Test: Thomas Tierney," Project Vote Smart, votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/13531/thomastierney/#.UlMUfD-HbaI (Accessed October 4, 2013)
Secular Coalition for America –5th Congressional District Primary - October 15, 2013
9
The Secular Coalition for Massachusetts is an established state chapter of the Secular Coalition for America, which
lobbies state lawmakers on behalf of secular Americans in Massachusetts. For more information on the Secular
Coalition for Massachusetts, visit http://states.secular.org/states/massachusetts
10
Secular Coalition for America –5th Congressional District Primary - October 15, 2013