BROCKTON — Did a finalist to be Brockton’s subsequent mayor duck a debate? It depends upon who you ask.
Metropolis Councilor Moises Rodrigues did not attend an Oct. 21 mayoral debate with fellow Metropolis Councilor Jean Bradley Derenoncourt. Larger Brockton Younger Professionals, a networking group, sponsored the one-on-one debate and its president says Rodrigues confirmed he’d come. Rodrigues says he by no means confirmed the Oct. 21 date. As an alternative, the highest vote-getter in September’s preliminary election mentioned he honored a earlier dedication to talk to seniors dwelling in Brockton Housing Authority towers.
“I selected the seniors over debating an empty swimsuit,” mentioned Rodrigues. In a social media submit following the occasion, the longtime at-large metropolis councilor mentioned he stayed away in protest of Derenoncourt’s allegedly threatening a Brockton Police officer and Rodrigues supporter.
Derenoncourt, who positioned second in September’s vote, had a special clarification. “Our opponent refused to indicate as much as tonight’s debate after not getting the questions prematurely,” Derenoncourt mentioned on his marketing campaign Fb web page.
Brockton votes in lower than two weeks. Let’s stroll by way of the claims and counterclaims of either side.
One of many two finalists for Brockton mayor, Jean Bradley Derenoncourt, spoke at an Oct. 21, 2025 debate sponsored by Larger Brockton Younger Professionals. Moises Rodrigues didn’t attend due to a earlier dedication to talk at a Brockton Housing Authority discussion board the identical evening.
Rodrigues calls out alleged ‘marketing campaign of intimidation’
Rodrigues mentioned “I strongly condemn the newest verbal and recorded assaults directed at my supporters, however particularly directed at a Brockton Police Officer, by my opponent on this race for mayor.” Rodrigues, the top of the Cape Verdean Affiliation of Brockton, mentioned he wouldn’t debate Derenoncourt “till he tones down his rhetoric and marketing campaign of intimidation.”
Derenoncourt mentioned a Brockton Police officer within the pay of Rodrigues was in uniform on the Ward 6 polling stations on the Brookfield College on preliminary election day, Sept. 16, urging individuals to not vote for Derenoncourt. However Rodrigues mentioned he has no paid marketing campaign employees other than a $200-a-month stipend for an administrative employee at his marketing campaign headquarters. That individual isn’t the Brockton cop in query.
Rodrigues mentioned the unhealthy blood sparked an software for a restraining order by the police officer on Derenoncourt. The Enterprise will publish extra particulars concerning Derenoncourt’s allegations involving a police officer and the appliance for a restraining order as soon as we verify them.
Candidates, from left, Jean Bradley Derenoncourt, Luz Villar and Moises Rodrigues participate in a mayoral debate sponsored by Larger Brockton Younger Professionals at Venue 727 on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, forward of the preliminary election on Sept. 16, which narrowed the sphere to simply Derenoncourt and Rodrigues.
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Derenoncourt argues opponent acquired particular therapy
The Derenoncourt camp maintains that in a three-way debate earlier than the Sept. 16 preliminary vote, Rodrigues acquired questions beforehand. The Larger Brockton Younger Professionals say that is false. Jim Stapleton, a South Center College trainer who helped manage the debates, mentioned panelist Eliza Wilson made modifications to a query in regards to the Aquaria water plant on the spot that evening.
The allegation performed a task in negotiations in regards to the format of the Oct. 21 debate. Derenoncourt demanded that Wilson, a Rodrigues supporter, not take part. Stapleton mentioned Derenoncourt hunted for organizers to rent a impartial exterior moderator.
It’s normal for campaigns to spar over guidelines and schedules. Rodrigues, based on two Larger Brockton Younger Professionals organizers, had mentioned “sure” to the Oct. 21 date. Rodrigues disputes that. In his telling, the Brockton Housing Authority discussion board date was set in September. “Moises is mischaracterizing,” mentioned Larger Brockton Younger Professionals President Isaiah Thelwell. “It appears to me Moises had confirmed, wished to backtrack.” Stapleton mentioned it is attainable that Rodrigues at first thought he may attend each as a double-header. Rodrigues mentioned that is not correct, and that he by no means agreed to Oct. 21 as a result of the BHA occasion was already scheduled.
Derenoncourt went to each occasions. He attended the Belair Tower portion of the Brockton Housing Authority occasion earlier than leaving for the talk. Rodrigues stayed on to go to voters within the Sullivan and Manning towers.
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Who’s Rodrigues? Brockton Mayoral candidate Moises Rodrigues: His place on 3 key subjects
Candidates, from left, Jean Bradley Derenoncourt, Luz Villar and Moises Rodrigues participate in a mayoral debate sponsored by Larger Brockton Younger Professionals at Venue 727 on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, forward of the preliminary election on Sept. 16, which narrowed the sphere to simply Derenoncourt and Rodrigues.
Busted ‘Brock the Vote’ debate additionally at subject
Derenoncourt claims Oct. 21 marked the second time Rodrigues skipped a debate. The Fb group “Brock the Vote” had deliberate an Oct. 15 metropolis council and mayoral debate. Enterprise reporter Chris Helms was to average the discussion board, which aimed to set itself aside from different debates by taking questions solely from residents. Nevertheless, simply hours earlier than the discussion board, organizers rescheduled for Oct. 29 at West Center College, citing a scarcity of questions from voters and Rodrigues’ alternative to not take part.
“Phrase of mouth mentioned he was coming,” mentioned Nancy DeMacedo of the grassroots group, “however he by no means confirmed he was coming.”
Rodrigues mentioned you’ll be able to’t simply schedule a debate and hope somebody exhibits up.
What occurred on the Oct. 21 occasion?
In the long run, the Larger Brockton Younger Professionals Oct. 21 debate at Venue 727 featured Derenoncourt alone with an empty chair subsequent to him. Derenoncourt made a gap assertion however declined to undergo with answering questions citing Rodrigues’ absence.
Stapleton, a decades-long observer of Brockton politics, mentioned it was an embarrassing episode. “What a wasted alternative,” he mentioned. “Simply an absolute travesty for town.”
Will Rodrigues seem in every other debates?
Rodrigues, reached Oct. 22, mentioned he plans to do a radio debate with Derenoncourt. The 95.9 FM WATD occasion shall be broadcast stay 7-8 p.m. on Oct. 28 and taped by Brockton Neighborhood Entry.
Rodrigues mentioned he doesn’t plan to attend the rescheduled “Brock the Vote” discussion board or the Brockton Space NAACP’s Oct. 30 mayoral debate.
Ship your information tricks to reporter Chris Helms by e-mail at CHelms@enterprisenews.com or join on X at @HelmsNews.
This text initially appeared on The Enterprise: In Brockton mayoral race Derenoncourt slams rodrigues over debate
