Maine Democrats will square off in first Senate debate since Platner’s withdrawal

The first debate on Thursday in Maine’s flash Democratic primary may feature a crowded stage.

Eight candidates to replace Graham Platner on the ballot have been invited to the debate in Portland, the organizer said Tuesday.

News Center Maine, which is sponsoring the event, had initially invited three people who ran for governor — Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows and Nirav Shah — as well as Jordan Wood, who ran for an open House seat.

But the news organization later decided to invite everyone who has so far submitted the paperwork to run for the seat that opened when Platner was forced to withdraw.

The debate invitees now also include David Costello; Elizabeth Dickerson; Dan Kleban; and Paige Loud, said Mike Redding, news director for News Center Maine.

Jackson, Bellows, Shah, Wood and Kleban, the founder of the Maine Beer Company, confirmed their participation to POLITICO.

Platner’s decision to drop out of the race last week — following POLITICO’s report of a sexual assault allegation — set off a scramble among Maine Democrats to find a nominee to take on GOP Sen. Susan Collins.

Thursday marks the first public face-off for these candidates, who’ve been jockeying to win over Platner’s supporters ahead of the July 25 nominating convention, when more than 600 delegates will choose a replacement. The race is considered a must-win for Democrats in their effort to take control of the Senate.

The debate is scheduled to run for 90 minutes and be televised statewide on stations WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2.

Andrew Howard and Jessica Piper contributed to this report. 

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