Maine CD2 candidates agree to three debates

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (left) and his Republican challenger, Maine Rep. Austin Theriault. (Campaign photos)

Both candidates vying to represent Maine’s 2nd Congressional District have agreed to debate before the November election, but not without a dose of political bickering.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., Democratic incumbent Jared Golden sent a news release that said he agreed to three debates in early October hosted by local television stations covering the primary media markets in the 2nd District. Golden also outlined half a dozen terms regarding how long the debates will last and what sort of questions will be permitted. The announcement “challenged” Republican candidate Austin Theriault to agree to the terms laid out.

Maine Morning Star reached out to Theriault’s campaign, but did not receive a reply by the time of publication. However, Theriault wrote on social media that he had already announced he would participate in the same three October debates. He included a screenshot of a news release from his campaign announcing the details of the debates timestamped 7:35 a.m. Tuesday.

“PS: we’re fine with these terms – see you there,” Theriault wrote in the post.

Those terms specify that each debate will last one hour without a live audience and no more than two moderators. Each candidate will be given two minutes for an opening statement and again for a closing with the order determined by a coin toss.

The terms also emphasize a substantive debate, saying that it should focus on local and national issues such as the economy, immigration, national defense and civil and personal rights and freedoms. Golden’s conditions also prohibit any rapid-fire or yes-or-no questions.

Golden’s campaign said the debate schedule not only accommodates the congressional schedule, but will begin before absentee voting. Although Maine voters can already request absentee ballots , they won’t be available until early October.

The debates are to be held as follows:

• Oct. 3 hosted by WGME-TV and the Bangor Daily News
• Oct. 7 hosted by News Center Maine and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce
• Oct. 9 hosted by WABI-TV and WAGM-TV

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