The Portland Press Herald, Maine Public, and NEWSCENTER Maine are partnering to host a series of debates in October focused on the state’s most-watched elections.

This is one of the most consequential election years for Maine ever, with a Senate seat, governor and both U.S. House seats on the ballot, as well as the entire state Legislature.

Over the next few weeks, you can hear directly from the candidates for key offices, and submit a question that may be asked during one of the live debates.

Governor 

• Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
• All of the party candidates — Independent Rick Bennett, Republican Bobby Charles and Democrat Hannah Pingree — have confirmed they will attend.
• Live, 60-minute debate moderated by Maine Public’s Jennifer Rooks.
• The candidates will be asked a series of questions on top state issues from Press Herald political reporter Billy Kobin and Maine Public state house correspondent Kevin Miller.
  • Submit a question you would like us to ask here.
• The candidates have been given a limited number of tickets for invited-guests only to attend in-person at the Gracie Theater in Bangor.
• Stream it on pressherald.com, Maine Public TV and Radio, or NEWSCENTER Maine TV (Channel 6 in Portland area, or Channel 2 in Bangor area) and app.

U.S. Senate 

• Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.
• Both party candidates — Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson — have confirmed they will attend.
• Live, 60-minute debate moderated by Maine Public’s Jennifer Rooks.
• The candidates will be asked a series of questions by Maine Public chief politics and government correspondent Steve Mistler and NEWSCENTER Maine’s Phil Hirschkorn.
  • Submit a question you would like to ask the candidates here.
• The candidates have been given a limited number of tickets for invited guests only to attend in-person at the Gracie Theater in Bangor.
• Stream it on pressherald.com, Maine Public TV and Radio, or NEWSCENTER Maine TV (Channel 6 in Portland area, or Channel 2 in Bangor area) and app.

Congressional District 2 

• Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. 
• Taped, 30-minute interview with the Democratic candidate, Matt Dunlap.
  • Republican Paul LePage did not accept our invitation to debate.
• Stream it on pressherald.com, Maine Public TV and Radio.

Congressional District 1 

• Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.
• Both candidates — Republican Ronald Russell and Democrat Chellie Pingree — have confirmed they will attend.
• Live, 30-minute debate moderated by Maine Public’s Jennifer Rooks.
• The candidates will be asked a series of questions by Maine Public chief politics and government correspondent Steve Mistler and NEWSCENTER Maine’s Phil Hirschkorn.
• The candidates have been given a limited number of tickets for invited guests only to attend in-person at Maine Public’s new studio in Portland.
• Stream it on pressherald.com, Maine Public TV and Radio, or NEWSCENTER Maine TV (Channel 6) and app.