Politics
Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here.
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has agreed to four debates against Democratic challenger Troy Jackson this fall, her campaign announced Thursday.
The Republican’s team said it wanted the opening one to be in the first week of September. It would be hosted by News Center Maine, Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald. Collins agreed to three other debates hosted by CBS News 13, WABI and WAGM and WMTW.
“Senator Collins believes that Maine people deserve the chance to see both candidates answer the same questions, in the same room, more than once, and as soon as possible,” said Shawn Roderick, a spokesperson for Collins’ campaign.
Collins turned down an invitation to a debate co-hosted by CNN and the Bangor Daily News. In an email Thursday to CNN and BDN organizers, Kevin Kelley, a consultant for the Collins campaign, said the campaign would not be able to participate.
“Instead, the campaign has accepted four debates this fall, each hosted by local Maine television stations and their media partners,” he said.
Jackson’s campaign had neither committed to that debate nor confirmed a proposed schedule of its own. The Democrat told MS NOW on Tuesday that he would debate Collins “tomorrow,” but it committed to no particular debates in a statement.
“We believe any debates should be town hall debates — with Mainers in the room asking the questions that matter to their families,” spokesperson Dan Gottlieb said. “We look forward to seeing Senator Collins on stage.”
Both campaigns have moved cautiously on debates so far in a race that was transformed when former nominee Graham Platner dropped out in July following a rape allegation. Jackson had to spin up one of the biggest campaigns in the nation during a three-month sprint to Election Day.
In 2020, Collins and then-House Speaker Sara Gideon sparred publicly over debates the day after the June primary election. Gideon challenged Collins to five, and Collins countered by proposing 16. They ultimately met five times between Sept. 11 and Oct. 28.