NewsCenter Maine, Maine Public, and the Portland Press Herald proposed hosting the first debate next week

BANGOR, ME — On August 25th, MSNOW asked Troy Jackson whether he plans to debate Senator Susan Collins. Jackson said he’s “willing, right now, tomorrow, to do it.”

But Jackson still hasn’t accepted the invitation to debate Collins next week, even though Collins accepted it more than a week ago. NewsCenter Maine, Maine Public, and the Portland Press Herald had proposed hosting the debate jointly.

Collins has accepted four debate invitations this fall from Maine television stations and their media partners. Beyond next week’s debate, she’s committed to one with WGME, one with WABI and WAGM together, and one with WMTW.

“Senator Collins said yes and has been willing to find a date next week that works for both campaigns,” said Shawn Roderick, spokesperson for Collins for Senator. “We offered Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. Troy still hasn’t committed, despite eagerly participating in more than four gubernatorial debates and additional forums earlier this year and telling reporters more than a week ago that he’d debate ‘tomorrow.’ Why won’t he debate now that he’s running for the Senate?”