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Candidates for Maine governor are, from left, Republican Bobby Charles, Democrat Hannah Pingree and independent Rick Bennett. (Press Herald file photos)

Two of the three candidates in the Maine governor’s race have agreed to a schedule of four televised debates to be hosted by local media outlets this fall.

Democrat Hannah Pingree and independent Rick Bennett have committed to the four debates, while Republican Bobby Charles is calling for a slate of five town hall debates in communities he says have been especially impacted by the challenges facing Maine.

The debates Pingree and Bennett have agreed to are:

  • News Center Maine/Maine State Chamber of Commerce — Thursday, Oct. 1
  • WGME CBS 13/FOX 23 — Tuesday, Oct. 13
  • WMTW — Wednesday, Oct. 14
  • Maine Public/The Maine Trust for Local News — Date TBD

Pingree’s campaign released the schedule Tuesday morning, and a spokesperson for Bennett confirmed he is committed to the debates.

“Mainers deserve to hear from all of us about how we’d govern,” Pingree said in a written statement. “I know I’ll be focusing on how my administration will bring down housing and health care costs and make life more affordable. I’ve been traveling to every corner of this state listening to people and laying out real solutions, and I’ll keep doing that right up through Election Day — on the debate stage and everywhere else.”

Charles’ campaign proposed five town hall debates that would include questions from a live audience. He is proposing debates focused on crime and public safety in Bangor; immigration and border security in Lewiston; the state budget in Augusta; economic growth and taxation in Aroostook County; and housing and property taxes in Portland or southern Maine.

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Charles’ campaign said in an email Tuesday that he has not committed to any debates other than those he has proposed.

“We can work with the Pingree and Bennett teams to figure it out,” the campaign said.

In response to Charles’ proposal, Bennett issued a written statement saying he is open to additional debates.

“Why five? Sixteen is better,” Bennett said. “Every county matters, and every Mainer deserves the chance to hear directly from the people asking to lead this state. I’m ready to show up anywhere, answer any question, and talk honestly about how we lower costs, restore trust, and make Maine work again.”

Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in...

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