LEAD and APP to host only northern Maine debate between Collins and Allen Oct. 20

    PRESQUE ISLE – Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development (LEAD) and the Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) will host the only scheduled formal U.S. Senate debate in northern Maine between Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger First District Congressman Tom Allen at the Presque Isle Middle School Monday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.     The hour-long, town hall-style exchange will feature questions prepared and addressed to the candidates by eight individuals representing different geographic and demographic populations that comprise Aroostook County. Joining the panelists on-stage will be a small audience comprised of LEAD, APP and Momentum Aroostook members. General auditorium seating will be open to the public.
    In addition to the audience present at the venue, the debate will be broadcast live on both WAGM-TV CBS 8 and the Channel X Radio Network.
    “LEAD is extremely pleased to collaborate with APP and our broadcast partners to host this debate in ‘The County.’ It will provide an important opportunity for the people of the region to hear the candidates’ views on issues impacting northern Maine,” said Nathan Berry, LEAD president. “As an organization committed to fostering and encouraging the balanced development of Aroostook County, it is most fitting that we offer county residents and business owners this type of forum to ensure that, whichever of the two candidates is elected, we can be certain he or she is aware of the issues impacting our region.”
    The upcoming Senate debate will follow a slightly modified version of the Commission on Presidential Debates town hall format most recently utilized for the Oct. 7 debate between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain. It was selected by organizers to provide a discussion reflective of a more representative cross-section of the people living in, and issues facing, Aroostook County.
    Efforts to host the U.S. Senate debate in the county were initiated by LEAD last February when contact was first made to both the Allen and Collins campaigns. A formal proposal was submitted to both sides in June, and confirmation that both candidates would participate was formalized in mid-August.
    The Oct. 20 debate will be open to the public at no charge. Tickets will be available only on the evening of event at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.