The Maine Public Broadcasting Network will hold and broadcast four key political debates in October. The First Congressional District, the Second Congressional District, the Senate, and the gubernatorial debates will be hosted by MPBN and held at various venues across the state. MPBN plans to go forward with all of these debates, even though several candidates have not yet made a commitment to appear as of Aug. 25. 

The First Congressional District Debate will be held in MPBN’s Lewiston Studio on Thursday, Oct. 9, and the Second Congressional District Debate will take place in the same venue on Thursday, Oct. 16. The Senate Debate will be held in Bangor at the Gracie Theatre on the Husson University Campus in partnership with the Bangor Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday Oct. 22. The Gubernatorial Debate will also be held at the Gracie Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 23.

All debates will begin at 8 p.m. and will be aired live on MPBN Television and Radio. The debates will be rebroadcast the day following each debate on MPBN Radio at 1 p.m. and on MPBN Television the Sunday following each debate in the afternoon.

"Full debate coverage is what our viewers, listeners, and supporters expect of MPBN,” said MPBN News Director Keith Shortall, in a news release. “This year is no different. We are holding the debates as scheduled and urge all those candidates who have qualified for a place on the Nov. 4 Maine ballot to participate. MPBN strongly believes in providing these forums as a public service to our audience, and to the people of Maine.”