Schedule of U.S. Senate, Congressional & Gubernatorial Debates
Early voting for June 9 primaries in Maine begins on May 11! Maine voters will be voting to nominate candidates for US Senate, Governor and Congress. In the U.S. Senate race, Governor Janet Mills, Graham Platner and David Costello are on the ballot. Senator Susan Collins is the only candidate to qualify for the ballot in the Republican Senate primary. In the gubernatorial race, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, businessman Angus King III, former Mills administration official and Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree, and Dr. Nirav Shah are competing for the Democratic nomination.
In the Republican gubernatorial primary, voters will choose between Jonathan Bush, nephew of the late President George H.W. Bush; lobbyist Robert Charles; business owner David Jones; former Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason; businessman Owen McCarthy; former fitness executive Ben Midgley; and small business owner Robert Wessels.
Under Maine law, unaffiliated voters (independents) may vote in the partisan primary of their choice without affiliating with the party. Affiliated voters must change enrollment at least 15 days prior to the primary to vote in another party's primary. Here are the debates on the docket in both the Senate and gubernatorial primaries. We’ll update this when other events come up.
U.S. Senate Democratic Primary
Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m.
A televised debate on NewsCenter Maine and Maine Public in partnership with the Portland Press Herald.
Tuesday, May 12, at 8 p.m.
Televised debate on WMTW, WABI and WAGM.
Monday, May 18, at 7 p.m.
Televised debate on WGME in partnership with the Bangor Daily News. All candidates have been invited. The rules require candidates to show viability, including by reaching 5% in a poll. Only Costello has not met that standard.
Friday, May 22, at 6 p.m.
Maine Democratic Party forum in Bangor. All candidates are invited.
Tuesday, May 26, at 6 p.m.
Maine Democratic Party forum in the 1st Congressional District. All candidates are invited.
Democratic Gubernatorial Primary
Thursday, April 30
Televised debate on WMTW.
Tuesday, May 5, at 7 p.m.
Televised debate on WGME in partnership with the Bangor Daily News.
Wednesday, May 13
Pre-recorded debate on News Center Maine in partnership with the Maine Chamber of Commerce at Aura in Portland. The debate will be aired after the event.
Republican Gubernatorial Primary
Tuesday, May 5, at 7 p.m.
Televised debate on WMTW, WABI and WAGM.
Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m.
Televised debate on WGME in partnership with the Bangor Daily News.
Wednesday, May 13
Pre-recorded debate on News Center Maine in partnership with the Maine Chamber of Commerce at Aura in Portland. The debate will be aired after the event.
Democratic 2nd Congressional District primary
Tuesday, April 28
Televised debate on WMTW, WABI and WAGM, 7 p.m.