More than 450 people packed into Hibernian Hall in Roxbury for the two-hour debate, hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. The Democratic candidates — Rachael Rollins, Greg Henning, Shannon McAuliffe, Linda Champion, and Evandro Carvalho — jousted over policy and priorities while touting their progressive views.

The crowded field emerged after Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced in February he would not seek reelection after 16 years as the top state prosecutor for Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop.