Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Jon Courtney met in the first debate in the race for Maine’s First District seat in the House of Representatives last night in Studzinski Recital Hall.
Pingree, who is running for her third term, is heavily favored in the race. The last time a Republican held the seat was in 1996. According to a poll conducted between September 24 and 28 by Pan Atlantic SMS, Pingree holds a 33 percentage point lead over Courtney.
In an hour-long debate organized by the Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN), the candidates touched on a variety of issues, highlighting their ideological divides.
Pingree focused on increasing access to higher education and boosting the minimum wage as ways to improve the First District’s struggling economy; Courtney, the current senate majority leader in the State Senate, emphasized restoring confidence in government, simplifying regulation, and creating an environment more beneficial to small businesses.
Pingree expressed her support for Question 1, the referendum on the Maine ballot that would permit same-sex marriage. Courtney expressed his disapproval.
Pingree said she was proud of the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare; Courtney does not support the legislation, and would try to repeal it if elected.
Throughout the debate, Pingree, a member of the Progressive Caucus, argued for a reduced military budget. Sticking to party line, Courtney argued against cuts in military spending. He favors a market-based approach to improving healthcare quality, according to his website.
The candidates were also given a chance to ask each other questions.
In a rare lighthearted moment, Courtney asked Pingree what her favorite newspaper was.
“People get so stressed about these things. Sometimes you’ve just got to lighten things up,” he said after the debate.
During the debate, a section of the fabric backdrop in front of which the candidates spoke fell to the ground; several MPBN employees rushed to fix it during a break. Otherwise, the event ran smoothly.
“That’s up to the public to decide. Honestly, when you’re the person involved in the debate, you’re just glad it’s over,” she said. “I think we had a friendly argument over a variety of issues that didn’t get too nasty.”
Courtney also spoke positively about the debate.
“It was good. These debates are always a little tricky. People got to see the differences, and I think that’s the important thing,” he said.
The debate was moderated by Jennifer Rooks, host of MBPN’s Maine Watch, a political news show.
Editor's note: Pingree's husband, Donald Sussman, is the owner of the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram.