BRUNSWICK
On Tuesday, The League of Women Voters of the Brunswick Area canceled a candidate forum in Brunswick after Republicans did not accept invitations to participate.
All candidates for the state Legislature in Brunswick were invited to attend the forum to present their positions to voters. There are three districts for the Maine House of Representatives that cover parts of Brunswick, and one for the Maine State Senate. Republicans are not contesting two of those House districts, leaving only two Republicans running for the state Legislature in Brunswick — Tristan Coffin for the Senate and Mike Stevens for the House.
“The League of Women Voters is non-partisan, does not support any candidate or political party, and maintains a strict nonpartisan approach to candidate events,” said the league in a press release. “Because the two Republican candidates invited to attend indicated that they would not participate, and because the league is unwilling to hold a candidate or election forum featuring only one party, the league has regretfully canceled the event.”
Jill Ward, president of The League of Women Voters of Maine, clarified on Wednesday that they had not heard back from Coffin and had received a firm no from Stevens in an email.
“Just like our elected representatives, candidates for public office should be responsive to citizens,” said Ward. “Civil, public discourse is an integral part of our political system. When our leaders — or those who want to be our leaders — won’t participate in public discussion, the democratic process is weakened.”
When reached for comment, Stevens said that while he would have attended the forum if possible, he got the date mixed up.
“Apparently, I just screwed up,” said Stevens. “I thought it was Sept. 13 — I had written down Sept. 13 on my calendar and I already had a commitment for the night of the 13. It was a complete screw-up on my part, and I apologize.”
Stevens said that he would be reaching out to the League of Women Voters to apologize.
Coffin did not respond to requests for comment.
Coffin’s Democratic opponent in the race for state Senate, former executive director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine Brownie Carson expressed disappointment that the forum was canceled.
“It’s important for everyone in the district and every voter to know who their candidates are and where they stand on the issues,” said Carson. “I think it is healthy to have forums. … It lets the voters know where we are.”
nstrout@timesrecord.com
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