WAGM will host live Poliquin-Cain debate
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Aroostook County will host one of only two scheduled debates between the candidates for Maine’s Second District Congressional seat.
Republican Congressman Bruce Poliquin and Democratic challenger Emily Cain will take part in the live, televised exchange hosted by WAGM-TV and the Aroostook Partnership on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
“There is significant interest throughout the state and across the country in Maine’s Second District Congressional Race,” said WAGM-TV News Director Kelly O’Mara. “We are pleased that both candidates have agreed to participate in the WAGM-TV/Aroostook Partnership Debate and that our broadcast partners in central and southern Maine will join us in sharing this debate throughout Maine. This will not only ensure that questions of Aroostook County voters are asked, but that some key issues of national significance are addressed by the candidates before a statewide and possibly national audience.”
Questions will be those submitted by County residents through an online form found on both the WAGM-TV and Partnership websites. In addition, the television station will seek out and videotape some questions asked directly by County residents, and accept questions mailed to the television station that include the full name, town and phone number of the individual.
“Aroostook County residents and organizations have a tremendous opportunity to have their questions asked to the individuals looking to represent us in Congress for the next two years,” said Aroostook Partnership President and CEO Bob Dorsey. “We strongly encourage folks to take advantage and submit questions.”
The debate will be moderated by O’Mara, who will be joined in asking the submitted questions by Aroostook Partnership Advocacy Committee Chairperson Jason Parent and WMTW-TV Political Reporter Paul Merrill.
In addition to the Second District Congressional Debate, a series of Aroostook County legislative candidate conversations will be televised for two weeks, beginning Oct. 24. The back-to-back five-minute interviews will be aired live during the 5:30 p.m. newscast each evening and rebroadcast on the following morning’s newscast.
Air dates are: House District 144, Oct. 24; District 145, Oct. 25; District 146, Oct. 26; District 147, Oct. 27; District 148, Oct. 28; District 149, Oct. 31; and Districts 150 and 151, where candidates are running unopposed, Nov. 1; and, for the Senate, District 1, Nov. 2; and District 2, Nov. 3.
