Salem Now! producer Leo Jodoin hosted a night with the candidates for the 2nd Essex District seat, which represents Salem, Peabody Beverly, Danvers and Topsfield Tuesday night at Salem Access TV.

Present were Democratic candidates Edward Carroll, Joan Lovely, Mary-Ellen Manning and John Slattery, who answered questions submitted by viewers.

The lone Republican candidate, Richard Jolitz of Beverly, did not attend the program and Jodoin had some words for him.

"As far as I'm concerned I know one candidate not to vote for," Jodoin said at the beginning of the program, chewing out Jolitz. "Shame on him…I don't want to thank Mr. Jolitz for not showing up," he said. Jodoin said if Jolitz wants to come after the election, "I'll deal with you then."

Voters will hit the polls on Sept. 6 for the primary, which will narrow down the field of Democrats to one candidate.

The following are highlights from the candidates' responses to viewers' questions.

Edward Carroll

• Wants to create a hotel and casino complex where Salem Harbor Power Station is currently located.

• Would "demand that from every dollar taken into this complex one penny go into a pool for the property taxes of the district."

• Said if the hotel/casino complex goes through, Salem will be the "crown jewel of this district."

• Wants to clean up welfare by providing job training and getting absentee "fathers back to repay the system."

• Says as a result of his experience as a sheriff's deputy, he's in favor of tough penalties on violent offenders. 

• Called Melissa's Law/three-strikes legislation "the dumbest thing," and believes violent offenders are given plenty of chances early in life.

• Thinks restrictions are too tough on fishermen.

• Supports gay marriage, calling it "part of America. We need to have "a little understanding of each other. That's what America is for, it's why the pilgrims came here."

Joan Lovely

• Looks to education and sees places like Salem State's Enterprise Center as "incubator[s] for growing small business."

• Is a proponent of "good, affordable public education."

• Has spoken with the district attorney about the use of bar codes to make sure those on welfare are purchasing appropriate items, and believes deadbeat parents need to be held accountable.

• Would be a "full-time state senator" if elected, and would cease her law practice except for a few clients for which she is a guardian or conservator.

• Believes there should be one strike for sex abuse involving a child. She says she has a personal connection to this issue and has "zero tolerance" for anyone who harms a child in this way.

• Supports Rep. John Keenan's efforts with state Sen. Fred Berry to make sure the power plant site will be properly cleaned and transformed into a gas plant. She says she has received positive words from residents in the district happy that she's willing to take a proactive stand and is not willing to let it stall for several years.

• Has roots in Gloucester, and wants to work to make sure fishermen can make a living and do so in a safe manner.

• Is in favor of gay marriage and benefits that go with it.

Mary-Ellen Manning

• Wants to remove restrictions on mom-and-pop businesses.

• Says she's a "big believer" in public education and thinks education can "lift" people up from whatever class they are in. She also believes ELL (English Language Learner) programs are key for adults.

• Says she's "willing to make the tough choices and cuts to make sure we have a viable public education system."

• Believes we need better control over the welfare system so people don't cheat the system. By doing this, she says people who properly use the system can be better served.

• Thinks there is still "fat and waste" in the budget.

• Believes Salem needs to do what's right for Salem in terms of the power plant.

• Is the "breadwinner" of her family and would continue her law practice if elected.

• Says she would support strong measures against sex crimes especially crimes against children.

• Says fishing is dangerous for fishermen as a result of restrictions that force them further and further out to sea. She says she wants to investigate ways to do "economic gardening" so that more parts of fish can be used to make more products for profit.

• Is a proponent of gay marriage.

John Slattery

• Is interested in supporting and funding our community colleges to train the workforce.

• Says he'll vote to cut costs to make public education and community colleges more affordable while maintaining quality of teachers, equipment.

• Calls education "the great equalizer."

• Believes welfare and transitional assistance are necessary to helping people get back on their feet but said job requirements or educational requirements are necessary.

• Says state has "pretty much cut spending to the bone."

• Thinks the "advent of Footprint" in place of Dominion at Salem Harbor Power Station is good for the taxpayers of Salem, but says he didn't believe Rep. John Keenan's recent legislation on the issue was "sound policy."

• Would scale back law practice if elected but continue to practice.

• Supports strong measures for sex and child abuse crimes as well as other crimes, citing his support of the assault weapons ban.

• Says issues facing fishermen are primarily within federal jurisdiction, but says he would be happy to work to help these middle class workers and their families to help them "thrive."

• Supports gay marriage and says his record has been "clear on this."