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Pingree, Michaud Win Respective Races

Maine's U.S. House of Races: An Overview

First District: Covering Cumberland Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and York Counties, plus part of Kennebec County. On June 10, Democrat Chellie Pingree and Republican Charlie Summers won their respective parties' nominations for the seat currently held by Democrat Rep. Tom Allen, who is vacating the seat to run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Second District:  Covering part of Kennebec County, plus Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo and Washington Counties. The seat is currently held by Mike Michaud, who was first elected to his seat in the U.S. House in 2002. One Republican has declared his candidacy for this office, John Frary of Farmington.
Maine Congressional 1st District Debate On-Demand

Recorded Thursday, October 30
Friday, October 31 at 1:00 pm (Radio Rebroadcast)
Sunday, November 2 at 3:30 pm (TV Rebroadcast)
Sunday, November 2 at 4:00 pm (Radio Rebroadcast)

Chellie Pingree (D) and Charlie Summers (R) debated live from Kanbar Auditorium, Studzinski Recital Hall at Bowdoin College.

Click to watch: Your Vote 2008 1st District Debate Windows Media Click to listen:    Windows Media Audio (.wma)    MP3 format (.mp3)     Podcast link.
Maine 2nd Congressional District Debate On-Demand

Maine 2nd District Debate - Recorded Oct. 16*
Friday, October 17 at 1:00 pm (Radio Rebroadcast)

Sunday, October 19 at 4:00 pm (TV & Radio Rebroadcast) Sunday, November 2 at 5:00 pm (TV Rebroadcast)

Incumbent Rep. Mike Michaud (D) and challenger John Frary (R) debated at Page Commons on the campus of Colby College.

Click an icon to hear the program:     Windows Media Audio (.wma)    MP3 format (.mp3)     Podcast link.



Live Debate Schedule on MPBN TV, Radio and MPBN.net

Thursday, October 30 at 8:00 pm - Maine 1st District Debate*
Sunday, November 2 at 3:30 pm (TV Rebroadcast)

Chellie Pingree (D) and Charlie Summers (R) debate live from Kanbar Auditorium, Studzinski Recital Hall at Bowdoin College.

Extra: To submit a video question for this debate, click here.
*Debates will be available as on-demand audio and video and audio downloads immediately following the live event.
Candidate Call-In Program on MPBN Radio
Thursday, Oct. 9 - Charlie Summers (R) - U.S. House 1st Dist. Candidate
This call-in radio program hosted by MPBN's Susan Sharon features Charlie Summers (R) of Scarborough. He's the Republican candidate for Maine's 1st Congressional District seat in the U.S. House. He is facing Chellie Pingree (D) of North Haven for the office currently held by Tom Allen who is leaving to run for the U.S. Senate.
Click an icon to hear the program:
Windows Media Audio (.wma)
MP3 format (.mp3)
Podcast link.
Thursday, Oct. 2 - Chellie Pingree (D) - Maine's 1st Congressional District
This call-in radio program hosted by MPBN's Susan Sharon features Chellie Pingree of North Haven. She's the Democratic candidate for the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for Maine's First Congressional District. The seat is currently held by Tom Allen (D) of Portland who is leaving the seat to run for the U.S. Senate.
Click an icon to hear the program:
Windows Media Audio (.wma)
MP3 format (.mp3)
Podcast link.
Thursday, Sept. 18 - John Frary (R) - Maine's 2nd Congressional District
In the first of a series of candidate call-in programs in which each U.S. Senate and House candidate appearing on the ballot is invited into the studios of MPBN radio for a conversation and questions from the public. John Frary of Farmington is the Republican candidate challenging Mike Michaud of Millinocket for the U.S. House seat in Maine's 2nd District Congressional District. Professor Frary sat down with MPBN's State House Bureau Chief A.J. Higgins.
Click an icon to hear the program:
Windows Media Audio (.wma)
MP3 format (.mp3)
Podcast link.

Candidate Call-In Program Schedule on MPBN Radio

MPBN is attempting to schedule Congressman Mike Michaud for a call-in.

Your Vote 2008 Congressional Campaign Coverage on

MPBN's Maine Things Considered

Congressmen Maintain Positions in 2nd Bailout Vote
Reported By: Tom Porter   Date Aired: 10/03/2008
Maine's two congressman have stuck to their positions on the government's $700 billion financial bailout package which passed the House this afternoon. Tom Allen, representing the first district, voted in a favor of the amended Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, saying it was essential to stem the downward slide of the economy.

Audio Windows

Candidate Profile: Professor John Frary
Reported By: A.J. Higgins   Date Aired: 9/30/2008
Partly by design and partly by default, John Frary has emerged as the Republican Party's best hope of defeating incumbant Democrat Mike Michaud in the race for Maine's second congressional district. The retired assistant professor and Farmington native seems to enjoy the political spotlight and has crafted a campaign that blends curmudgeon politics with a touch of 1920s vaudeville.

Audio Windows

Summers Takes New Approach in Second Bid for Congress

Reported By: Susan Sharon  Date Aired: 9/25/2008

He's one of about two dozen veterans running for Congress this year, and much of his campaign in Maine was conducted while he was out of the country, serving a one-year assignment in the Navy Reserves in Iraq. This is Republican candidate Charlie Summers' second bid for a U.S. House seat in Maine's First District. But his resume and life experiences have been re-written since his 2004 campaign.

Audio Windows

Congressional Candidate Says "Legalize Marijuana"
Reported By: Keith Shortall    Date Aired: 9/18/2008

The federal government should legalize marijuana, says the self-described conservative Republican candidate for Maine's Second Congressional District.  John Frary made his comments today on a state-wide radio call-in program.

Audio Windows

Upsets of Well-Known Candidates Raise Questions About The Electorate's Desire For Change
Reported By: A. J. Higgins    Date Aired: 6/11/2008

They may have been lost in the glare of the spotlight on Maine's 1st Congressional District races, but yesterday's primary produced several upsets in state House and Senate races. A few well-established candidates were vanquished by youthful newcomers to state politics who may have been riding a wave of change ushered in by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. As A.J. Higgins reports, the state's light voter turnout also clearly helped some candidates, but hurt others.

Audio Windows

Maine's Democratic and Republican Parties Gear Up For Next Phase of the 2008 Election
Reported By: Tom Porter    Date Aired: 6/11/2008

"We've had our differences, but we're all friends now" - that was the message today from Maine's Democratic party as members put on a display of unity after wrapping up the primaries last night. Following a keenly watched, and at times divisive, six-way contest to represent Maine's 1st congressional district in November's election, the five losing candidates showed up to throw their weight behind winner Chellie Pingree. Meanwhile, Julie Ann O'Brien, executive director of Maine's Republican Party, says the GOP is unified behind Summers. And Bowdoin professor of Government Chris Potholm says Charlie Summers' relatively moderate stance means he's well positioned to build the party's base of support. Tom Porter has the full story.

Audio Windows

Congressional Candidate Chellie Pingree Profiled
Reported By: Susan Sharon   Date Aired: 5/13/2008

Her resume is diverse: She's owned several small businesses, been a farmer, served in the Maine State Senate, run and lost a race for U.S. Senate and worked in Washington as the head of the national election reform group Common Cause. Now Democrat Chellie Pingree is back in Maine on the campaign trail in the first congressional district seeking to fill the seat being vacated by Tom Allen. Susan Sharon continues our series of candidate profiles with a look at Pingree's priorities.

Audio Windows

Candidate Stand-in Commended for Impressive Campaign
Reported By: Keith McKeen    Date Aired: 4/28/2008

One of the First District Congressional campaigns is receiving high marks..even in the absence of its candidate.. Charlie Summers has been serving in Iraq. But his wife, Ruth Summers has become a popular surrogate in debates and on the campaign trail.

Audio Windows

 

It's Pingree vs. Summers in November in Maine's First District

Democrat Chellie Pingree of North Haven and Charlie Summers of Scarborough have won their parties' nominations and will face each other in the November election. Listen to MPBN's Susan Sharon and Barbara Cariddi's election night reports:

Democrat Chellie Pingree                     Republican Charlie Summers

Windows Media Audio FileWindows                                           Windows Media Audio FileWindows

 

MPBN Your Vote 2008 Primary Debates
Democratic and Republican Primary Debates on MPBN Stations

First Congressional District Republican Candidate Debate

The two Republicans vying for the party nomination: Dean Scontras of Eliot and Charlie Summers of Scarborough debated live from the MPBN Ladd Studios in Lewiston, ahead of the Tuesday, June 10 primary.

Windows Media Video link for the May 29, 2008 Democratic First Congressional District candidate debate broadcast & webcast live from the MPBN Ladd Studios in Lewiston.Click here to listen to streaming audio of a Your Vote 2008 election special featuring Democrat Tom Ledue of Springvale, who is running in the June primary to become the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. Rep. Tom Allen, who is facing Ledue in the primary, declined to participate. This program was hosted by MPBN's Jennifer Rooks and initially aired on Thursday, May 22, 2008.    Click here to access a podcast of a Your Vote 2008 election special featuring Democrat Tom Ledue of Springvale, who is running in the June primary to become the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. Rep. Tom Allen, who is facing Ledue in the primary, declined to participate. This program was hosted by MPBN's Jennifer Rooks and initially aired on Thursday, May 22, 2008.
Democratic Debate Among the First Congressional District Candidates

First Congressional District Democratic Candidate Debate

This debate, recorded live from the MPBN Ladd Studios in Lewiston, featured all six Democratic candidates: Michael Brennan, Adam Cote, Mark Lawrence, Steve Meister, Chellie Pingree, and Ethan Strimling.

Windows Media Video link for the May 29, 2008 Democratic First Congressional District candidate debate broadcast & webcast live from the MPBN Ladd Studios in Lewiston.Click here to listen to streaming audio of a Your Vote 2008 election special featuring Democrat Tom Ledue of Springvale, who is running in the June primary to become the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. Rep. Tom Allen, who is facing Ledue in the primary, declined to participate. This program was hosted by MPBN's Jennifer Rooks and initially aired on Thursday, May 22, 2008.    Click here to access a podcast of a Your Vote 2008 election special featuring Democrat Tom Ledue of Springvale, who is running in the June primary to become the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. Rep. Tom Allen, who is facing Ledue in the primary, declined to participate. This program was hosted by MPBN's Jennifer Rooks and initially aired on Thursday, May 22, 2008.

 

MPBN First District Congressional Candidate Call-in Programs

MPBN conducted series of First District Congressional candidate call-in programs on the radio stations of MPBN during the Maine primary season, one for each of the six Democrats and two Republicans who sought their respective parties' nominations to run for Maine's First District Congressional seat. Now that the field has been winnowed down to Democrat Chellie Pingree and Republican Charlie Summers, MPBN will leave the audio from these call-in programs here through the election:

Democratic 1st District House Candidate
Air Date:
Stream
Podcast
Chellie Pingree, North Haven
May 1
Click here to listen to streaming audio of a radio call-in program featuring Democrat Chellie Pingree of North Haven, who is running in the June primary to become the Democratic nominee for Maine's First District Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Tom Allen. This call-in program was hosted by MPBN's Irwin Gratz and initially aired on Thursday, May 1, 2008.
Click here to access a podcast of a radio call-in program featuring Democrat Chellie Pingree of North Haven, who is running in the June primary to become the Democratic nominee for Maine's First District Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Tom Allen. This call-in program was hosted by MPBN's Irwin Gratz and initially aired on Thursday, May 1, 2008.
     
Republican 1st District House Candidate
Air Date
Stream
Podcast
Charlie Summers, Scarborough
May 21
Click here to listen to streaming audio of a radio call-in program featuring Republican Charlie Summers of Scarborough, who is running in the June primary as one of two Republicans vying for their party's nomination to the First District Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Tom Allen. This call-in program was hosted by MPBN's Irwin Gratz and initially aired on Wednessday, May 21, 2008.
Click here to access a podcast of a radio call-in program featuring Republican Charlie Summers of Scarborough, who is running in the June primary as one of two Republicans vying for their party's nomination to the First District Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Tom Allen. This call-in program was hosted by MPBN's Irwin Gratz and initially aired on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

 

Maine's 1st Congressional District Candidates Forum, sponsored by the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee - April 7, 2008

Question #1 - Veterans are concerned about the cost of gasoline and fuel oil and food and job availability; in fact the economy as a whole - what is your approach to this problem?
Chellie Pingree's response: MPBN' "Your Vote 2008" political coverage. April 7, 2008 candidate forum sponsored by the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee which represents 14 different veteran service organizations. All 8 candidates in the 1st Congressional Dist. were represented.Windows    MPBN' "Your Vote 2008" political coverage. April 7, 2008 candidate forum sponsored by the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee which represents 14 different veteran service organizations. All 8 candidates in the 1st Congressional Dist. were represented. (3:12)

Ruth Summers' response:

(filling in for spouse, Charlie)

MPBN' "Your Vote 2008" political coverage. April 7, 2008 candidate forum sponsored by the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee which represents 14 different veteran service organizations. All 8 candidates in the 1st Congressional Dist. were represented.Windows    MPBN' "Your Vote 2008" political coverage. April 7, 2008 candidate forum sponsored by the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee which represents 14 different veteran service organizations. All 8 candidates in the 1st Congressional Dist. were represented. (1:25)
Question #2 - How do you propose to provide proper medical care to rural veterans living in Maine?
Chellie Pingree's response: MPBN' "Your Vote 2008" political coverage. April 7, 2008 candidate forum sponsored by the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee which represents 14 different veteran service organizations. All 8 candidates in the 1st Congressional Dist. were represented.Windows    MPBN' "Your Vote 2008" political coverage. April 7, 2008 candidate forum sponsored by the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee which represents 14 different veteran service organizations. All 8 candidates in the 1st Congressional Dist. were represented. (3:40)

Ruth Summers' response:

(filling in for spouse, Charlie)

MPBN' "Your Vote 2008" political coverage. April 7, 2008 candidate forum sponsored by the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee which represents 14 different veteran service organizations. All 8 candidates in the 1st Congressional Dist. were represented.Windows    MPBN' "Your Vote 2008" political coverage. April 7, 2008 candidate forum sponsored by the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee which represents 14 different veteran service organizations. All 8 candidates in the 1st Congressional Dist. were represented. (2:56)

 

MPBN Broadcasts Panel Discussion: "Our Constitution In Crisis -- What Does A Broken Democracy Look Like & How Do We Fix It?"

Thursday, March 6 at 1:00 pm on MPBN Radio: A two-hour forum on the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of government held recently in Portland featured five of the eight First District Congressional candidates: four Democrats and one Republican.  Introductory remarks were presented by featured speaker John Nichols (pictured right), Washington correspondent for the "The Nation" and author of "The Genius of Impeachment." 

 
Audio Streaming
Podcast
Part 1 (53:49):
Click here to listen to streaming audio of PART ONE of MPBN's "Speaking in Maine" featuring a panel discussion called "Our Constitution In Crisis - What Does A Broken Democracy Look Like & How Do We Fix It?" This two-hour forum on the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of government, held recently in Portland, features five of the eight First District Congressional candidates -- four Democrats and one Republican. This broadcast initially aired Thursday, March 6 on the radio stations of MPBN.
Click here to access a podcast of PART ONE of MPBN's "Speaking in Maine" featuring a panel discussion called "Our Constitution In Crisis - What Does A Broken Democracy Look Like & How Do We Fix It?" This two-hour forum on the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of government, held recently in Portland, features five of the eight First District Congressional candidates -- four Democrats and one Republican. This broadcast initially aired Thursday, March 6 on the radio stations of MPBN.
Part 2 (1:09:00):
Click here to listen to streaming audio of PART TWO of MPBN's "Speaking in Maine" featuring a panel discussion called "Our Constitution In Crisis - What Does A Broken Democracy Look Like & How Do We Fix It?" This two-hour forum on the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of government, held recently in Portland, features five of the eight First District Congressional candidates -- four Democrats and one Republican. This broadcast initially aired Thursday, March 6 on the radio stations of MPBN.
Click here to access a podcast of PART TWO of MPBN's "Speaking in Maine" featuring a panel discussion called "Our Constitution In Crisis - What Does A Broken Democracy Look Like & How Do We Fix It?" This two-hour forum on the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of government, held recently in Portland, features five of the eight First District Congressional candidates -- four Democrats and one Republican. This broadcast initially aired Thursday, March 6 on the radio stations of MPBN.

Our Constitution In Crisis - What Does A Broken Democracy Look Like & How Do We Fix It? is a panel discussion featuring 5 of the 8 candidates running for Congress in Maine's First District. Introductory remarks were offered by featured speaker, John Nichols, who is the Washington correspondent for The Nation and author of The Genius of Impeachment. This broadcast airs Thursday, March 6 at 1:00 pm on the radio stations of MPBN.

John Nichols of The Nation

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1st District Congressional Candidate

Web Sites (Maine):

Democrat:

Chellie Pingree

Republican:

Charlie Summers

 

2nd District Congressional Candidate

Web Sites (Maine):

Democrat:

Mike Michaud

Republican:

John Frary

 

 
Democrats Republicans