Wayland Patch 10/5/11: Wayland Residents Support Tom Conroy at Democratic U.S. Senate Debate. Fielding questions on everything from the economy and jobs to women’s healthcare and marijuana legalization, the six Democratic candidates vying to take on Republican incumbent Scott Brown in next year’s U.S. Senate race engaged in a debate Tuesday night at UMass-Lowell. Outside Durgin Hall prior to the debate, sign-holders were plentiful for candidates Elizabeth Warren and Brookline’s Alan Khazei, while smaller contingents were on hand to support Tom Conroy, Bob Massie, Marisa DeFranco and Herb Robinson. At least three Wayland residents and one former resident made the trek to Lowell to support Conroy, a third-term state representative. Michael Bate said he has been a longtime supporter of Conroy, calling him the most qualified candidate at last night’s debate.