Maine Gov. Candidates to Square Off in Debates

The three candidates for Maine governor are preparing for their first debate this week.

The first of five scheduled debates is Wednesday at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. It will be moderated by Christopher Hall, CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage had originally said he was considering pulling out of debates with Mike Michaud unless the Democrat denounced an ad from an outside group that said LePage considered Social Security a form of welfare.

But LePage says he has decided to participate in the debates, saying he wants to make sure that Mainers "get the record straight prior to the election."

Polls have shown that LePage and Michaud are in a tight race, with independent Eliot Cutler trailing.