Incumbent Treasurer Agrees To Debate -- for 12 Minutes

(From left) Political journalist Jon Keller, Republican candidate for treasurer Elizabeth Dionne and Democrat treasurer Deb Goldberg. Keller moderated a 12-minute debate between the candidates for state treasurer that aired Nov. 1, 2026. SCREENSHOT/ Courtesy of CBS Boston

Katie Castellani | SHNS

Given a minute to explain why she's the best candidate for state treasurer, Elizabeth Dionne immediately brought up the state's affordability crisis before quickly shifting to defending herself from accusations at the center of a campaign ad released by her opponents' "affiliates."

The introduction mirrored the sentiment of the state treasurer race and set the tone for the rest of the 12-minute debate, where the GOP contender traded jabs with Democratic incumbent Treasurer Deb Goldberg, who is seeking a fourth term in office. The debate aired on WBZ-TV two days before the election and was moderated by political journalist Jon Keller.

The controversy over debates has clouded the race for an often overlooked constitutional office that holds wide-ranging responsibilities. The treasurer manages the state's investments, debt, cash flows and unclaimed property as well as oversees several departments including the Massachusetts State Lottery and Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

"We have an affordability crisis. But also, as Treasurer Goldberg knows, I have a gay son and a gay campaign manager. I also have the endorsement of the National Log Cabin Republicans," Dionne said. "Goldberg's affiliates released yet another attack ad today accusing me of being anti-gay marriage and anti-gay rights, which is not true. And Goldberg, I would like to offer you an opportunity now to apologize to my son my campaign manager, who are here in the building for what they call 'pink-washing' the campaign."

Goldberg told Dionne that she had "nothing to do with whatever you're referring to." The treasurer said she believed the ad was created by a super PAC and apologized if the ad hurt Dionne's son or campaign manager, adding she had "no idea what it said."

"I've been fighting for - on these issues for equality since I was a town meeting member back in 1997 when I fought alongside for domestic partners to be extended healthcare benefits and I looked at it as a civil right," Goldberg said. "And at that time, people recognized who I was and what I stood for."

The ads sent to phones by text message, which Dionne's campaign shared with the News Service, were sent Oct. 29 and say the candidate "supported ballot initiatives that sought to overturn gay marriage in Massachusetts and California."

The ad linked to www.DionneUpdate.com, which is funded by the Forward MA IEPAC, a super PAC chaired by Kate Norton of Four Lions Media, according to filings with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance. OCPF filings show the super PAC spent $114,000 on text ads on Oct. 16, and its largest donor is the Democratic Treasurers Association, which contributed $50,000 in October.

Dionne's campaign scheduled a press availability directly following the debate taping last week with her son and campaign manager to address the ads. In a statement to the News Service, Dionne's campaign said she supports "gay marriage, gay rights and protecting gay rights."

"In fact, Elizabeth Dionne has supported marriage equality and gay rights longer than Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama combined," the campaign said.

In concluding her introduction, Dionne briefly noted the importance of the treasurer's office before saying how "disappointing" it was that the two candidates only had 12 minutes to debate and that she offered to meet Goldberg "at any time and any place, on your conditions - except for Palm Beach" – referring to a Florida residence she has accused the treasurer of living in for a quarter of the year. Goldberg called the statement "absolutely absurd."

Goldberg noted Dionne's decision to invest town pension funds in the Pension Reserves Investment Trust (PRIT) Fund while on the Belmont Select Board in order to get "better returns at a lower rate" while celebrating the Pension Reserves Investment Management Board's higher-than needed return on investment over the past five years. Dionne's website shows that she pushed for 100% of Belmont's Retirement System assets to be invested in the PRIT.

The candidates also sparred over management of the state's unclaimed property and the online lottery.

The debate fell far short of Dionne's original request of six one-hour debates held across the state. Goldberg's campaign denied a debate request from GBH because it said the station did not agree to its fact-checking requests.

Katie Castellani is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts.