The first televised debate between the three candidates vying to become Maine’s next governor featured several testy exchanges, many of which involved Republican Bobby Charles.

The hourlong debate, hosted by the Maine Chamber of Commerce and moderated by News Center Maine, sought to cover a wide range of topics, including taxes, state revenue, housing, substance use, energy costs and healthcare. But moderators had trouble keeping the candidates on topic and within their allotted time.

The forum was an opportunity for Charles and independent Rick Bennett to shake up a race in which Democrat Hannah Pingree has been the clear front-runner in polling and fundraising.

Bennett, a longtime Republican who unenrolled from the party when he entered the race in June, repeatedly went after Charles, accusing him of not understanding the state budgeting process, and attacking his record serving in the U.S. State Department under President George W. Bush.

“It’s hard to digest all I’ve just heard here, particularly from Bobby Charles,” Bennett, 63, said about 20 minutes into the debate in response to a question about state spending.

“He just doesn’t simply understand how the fiscal process works, which doesn’t surprise me because inspector generals and auditors at the federal government cited him dozens of times for mismanagement of federal spending.”

Bennett was referring to a Bangor Daily News article about how federal audits raised concerns about poor management, spending and ineffectiveness during Charles’ 18-month tenure leading the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

“The Bangor Daily News doesn’t always report the facts,” Charles shot back. “We showed them, ‘Hey, here is the unbelievable record,’ and they decided that they’re gonna take the little paragraph down here that didn’t look like it was the best paragraph.”

Charles, meanwhile, portrayed himself as a political outsider. He said Bennett and Pingree are part of the current political system that has led to the present affordability and housing crises. And he said he’d use his experience as a former investigator to conduct a top-to-bottom review of state agencies to root out fraud and waste.

“I find it ironic that two people who’ve served both 30 years and 25 years are saying that we need to fix the system,” Charles said.

After one exchange, Pingree, who was flanked by both men, said, “This is why we need women in charge.” The line drew laughter and applause from the audience.

Throughout the night, Pingree and Bennett tried to put Charles on the defensive.

At one point, Pingree referred to Bennett as “my friend.” She later called out Charles’ previous work as a federal lobbyist and repeatedly highlighted his support for President Donald Trump, whose low approval rating is creating headwinds for Republicans across the county.

“(Charles is) somebody who has supported Donald Trump at every turn,” Pingree said. “His tariffs, his war in Iran, his big, beautiful bill that has cut our healthcare system. We’re facing economic headwinds because of this president.”

Later, Charles, a 66-year-old Leeds lawyer and former assistant U.S. secretary of state, sought to distance himself from Trump on tariffs and the Iran war.

“I have been very clear, at the outset, that the hitting of the nuclear program was great (but), I do not agree with him right now, in terms of the extended engagement over there,” Charles said about Iran. “I’ve never met the guy (Trump), but I have appealed publicly that we need to get back to the negotiating table and get tariffs down.”

It’s unclear whether the debate will change the trajectory of the race.

Pingree, a 49-year-old Democrat from North Haven who led a policy office under Gov. Janet Mills and is the daughter of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, has held a steady lead in both fundraising and polling.

Pingree led Charles 48% to 36% in a New York Times/Portland Press Herald/Siena poll released last week, while Bennett drew 8%.

The Democrat has a significant money advantage as well. She has raised more than $4.3 million, compared to Charles’ $1.8 million and Bennett’s nearly $924,000.

The candidates will meet for three more debates, including one Thursday hosted by Maine Public, News Center Maine and the Portland Press Herald. WGME CBS 13 will host a debate on Oct. 13, followed by WMTW the next day.