MPBN to broadcast 3 debates in October

LEWISTON – The Maine Public Broadcasting Network is partnering with the Muskie School for Public Service at the University of Southern Maine and the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine to hold debates between Maine candidates for federal office over three consecutive Thursday evenings in October.

The first debate, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, will be between the two candidates for the House of Representatives from Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Democratic incumbent Rep. Mike Michaud of East Millinocket will square off against Republican challenger John Frary of Farmington at Page Commons on the campus of Colby College in Waterville.

At 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Rep. Tom Allen, who is challenging Collins for her Senate seat after serving six terms in the House, will square off at Hannaford Lecture Hall in Portland on the campus of the University of Southern Maine.

The final debate, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, will be between the candidates for Maine’s 1st Congressional District, pitting Democrat Chellie Pingree of North Haven against Republican Charles Summers of Scarborough. They will face off at the Studzinski Recital Hall on the campus of Bowdoin College in Brunswick. This is an open seat with no incumbent.

All debates will be broadcast live, simulcast across MPBN’s television and radio stations and streamed on its Web site. Each will run for one hour and be moderated by MPBN’s Jennifer Rooks, with additional questions being asked of the candidates by MPBN deputy news director Susan Sharon and State House bureau chief A.J. Higgins. MPBN also will air promotional announcements seeking questions through MPBN’s Web site at mpbn.net.