Maine Democrats to appear in hastily arranged debate
Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* In the wake of Graham Platner’s candidacy in Maine, Democrats in the state are engaged in an unusual sprint to choose a new Senate candidate to take on the incumbent, Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Several contenders have thrown their hat into the ring but, given the compressed schedule, it seemed unlikely that the would-be nominees would have time to debate.
And yet, there’s going to be a debate anyway. Politico reported that eight Democratic contenders will share the stage tomorrow for a hastily arranged debate. The article noted, “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.”
If all goes according to plan, the debate will run for 90 minutes and be televised statewide. Nine days after the debate, there will be a nominating convention in Bangor, ahead of the July 27 deadline for Maine Democrats to submit the paperwork for the new nominee.
As for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has played an active role in supporting candidates he sees as strong contenders, the New York Democrat has already said he intends to remain neutral as Maine Democrats prepare to choose a candidate.
* In Michigan’s closely watched Democratic Senate primary, the latest Detroit News/WDIV-TV found Rep. Haley Stevens leading Abdul El-Sayed, 48% to 41%. Primary Day in the Wolverine State is Aug. 4.
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Steve Benen is a producer for “The Rachel Maddow Show,” the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He’s also the bestselling author of “Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans’ War on the Recent Past.”
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