EAST PROVIDENCE — The aspiring Democrats running for the District 66 State House of Representatives seat — Liana Cassar and John Chung — engaged in a very respectful 30-minute question-and-answer session during the League of Women Voters-East Bay Newspapers candidate forum held Wednesday evening, Sept. 5, at East Providence’s Martin Middle School.

A week out from the September 12 primary, little seemingly separated the candidates, both from Barrington and running to replace five-term incumbent Barrington Democrat Joy Hearn who opted not to seek re-election for the district composed mostly of voters in their hometowns with a sliver of the Riverside section of E.P. They shared similar sentiments on most core elements of the six issues about which they were queried. Only on some specifics did they depart from each other.

At one point late in the forum, Mr. Chung even quipped, “See, we really do agree on most things.” He added, alluding to how closely aligned his views and Ms. Cassar’s were on many matters, “District 66 is in good hands.”

Both Ms. Cassar, who has the backing of Barrington Democrats, and Mr. Chung, who is supported by the Democratic leadership in the House, agreed more gun control measures were necessary to keep society, in general, and schools, specifically, safe.

Countering those in opposition to added arms restrictions is a difficult process, Mr. Chung said. “It takes a persistent effort to make that first crack in the damn.”

Ms. Cassar said recent efforts by the governor and the general assembly to put some curbs on gun ownership and possession were a good start. She continued, “There needs to be some sense of comprise” between those on both sides of the issue. And she noted, as much polling shows, “Gun owners are just as concerned about safety as everyone else.”

The prospective officeholders agreed in part that equal pay legislation was one way to raise the living standards of working women and their families. Ms. Cassar talked of her support for increasing the minimum wage while Mr. Chung emphasized helping small businesses create better paying jobs.

Asked about the near-unfettered grip afforded to the Rhode Island Speaker of House in terms of whether or not to move bills in the chamber, both candidates agreed it was worrisome.

Mr. Chung stressed it was a “huge structural problem that needs long-term structural solutions.”

Ms. Cassar concurred, adding, “There’s too much power concentrated in one seat, the speaker’s,” and that power “gets in the way of democracy.” She continued, “Less concentration of power in the speaker’s office would be helpful.”

The candidates did diverge somewhat in their closing remarks. Mr. Chung used his time to reflect on his experience on the trail while Ms. Cassar referred to issues not discussed last week that she said were pertinent to the constituents.

“This has been one of the most enjoyable periods of my life,” said Mr. Chung. “I really have enjoyed every minute of this campaign. It really has been a privilege to campaign for this office, to meet voters in this district…And I want to thank you whether you vote for me or not. This has been a wonderful experience.”

Said Ms. Cassar, “Issues that were not discussed this evening that I think are really important to the community were access to affordable comprehensive healthcare, which I think affects all of our lives and I think is the foundation to a healthy community, a healthy economy…Environmental issues, preparing for climate change impact as well as conservation and what’s going to happen with our tidal zones…Those are issues that are not just about East Providence and Barrington. Those are issues we have to work collaboratively on statewide…We have wonderful people in our community and I’d like to meet more of you.”