PORTLAND, Maine — The three major contenders for the Blaine House had their first debate Wednesday morning in an event hosted by the Portland Regional Chamber.
Wednesday marks the first time the three candidates have appeared together and addressed each other in person during the campaign. The three are scheduled to debate four more times during the next two weeks, including Thursday morning in Waterville.
Just when the candidates would take the stage together and how often they would do so has, in itself, been a subject for debate. Independent Eliot Cutler urged Democrat Mike Michaud and Republican Gov. Paul LePage to participate in as many as 16 debates, while LePage threatened not to take the stage at all with Michaud because he believed the Democrat had mischaracterized his position on whether Social Security should be considered a welfare benefit.
[bdntwitter hashtag=”#mepolitics” handle=”darrenfishell”]