Candidates in Maine’s competitive primaries for U.S. Senate and governor will meet on the debate stage several times over the next few weeks as the June 9 election approaches.

Also gearing up for debates are candidates in Maine’s two U.S. House districts.

This is a consequential election year for Maine, with those races as well as state legislative and local elections on the ballot. With tens of millions in ad spending booked already, you’ve probably seen a political commercial or two. But over the next few weeks, you’ll get multiple chances to hear directly from the candidates for key offices.

The seven Republicans and five Democrats vying to replace Gov. Janet Mills have already met at several debates and forums, but their debate schedule will get much busier starting this week. A debate for the Democratic candidates kicks things off Thursday night.

In the U.S. Senate race, Mills has yet to meet faceto-face on the debate stage with her chief rival, oysterman and former Marine Graham Platner. The two will meet in a series of five events starting on May 7.

The winner of their Democratic primary will face five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins in November.

Here’s a list of the upcoming debates:

DEMOCRATIC U.S. SENATE PRIMARY

The Democratic primary for Senate features Mills, Platner and David Costello, who has held a variety of positions in federal and state government. Collins is not facing a primary challenge.

Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m.: Televised debate hosted by NEWS CENTER Maine and Maine Public in partnership with the Portland Press Herald. All three candidates will be featured.

Tuesday, May 12, at 8 p.m.: Televised debate on WMTW, WABI and WAGM.

Monday, May 18, at 7 p.m.: Televised debate on WGME in partnership with the Bangor Daily News. The rules for this debate require candidates to show viability, including by reaching 5% in a poll, which means Costello will not be included, according to the BDN.

Friday, May 22, at 6 p.m. in Bangor: Maine Democratic Party forum.All three candidates will attend.

Tuesday, May 26, at 6 p.m., location TBD in the 1st Congressional District: Maine Democratic Party forum. All three candidates will attend.

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR

The candidates in the Democratic primary for governor are: Shenna Bellows, Maine’s secretary of state; Angus King III, a renewable energy entrepreneur (and son of U.S.Sen. Angus King); Hannah Pingree, former Maine speaker of the House (and daughter of U.S. Rep.

Chellie Pingree); Troy Jackson, former Senate president; and Nirav Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m.: Televised debate on WMTW, WABI and WAGM.

Tuesday, May 5, at 7 p.m.: Televised debate on WGME in partnership with the Bangor Daily News.

Wednesday, May 13: Prerecorded debate on NEWS CENTER Maine in partnership with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. The debate will be televised on either May 13 or May 14, time TBD.

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR

The candidates in the Republican primary for governor are: Jonathan Bush, a businessman and cousin of former President George W. Bush; Bobby Charles, a former U.S. assistant secretary of state; David Jones, a real estate broker; Garrett Mason, former Maine Senate majority leader; Owen McCarthy, a medical technology entrepreneur; Ben Midgley, a former fitness franchise executive; and Robert Wessels, a retail manager from the town of Paris. (State Sen. Jim Libby qualified for the ballot but ended his campaign earlier this month.)

Tuesday, May 5, at 7 p.m.: Televised debate on WMTW, WABI and WAGM.

Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m.: Televised debate on WGME in partnership with the Bangor Daily News.

Wednesday, May 13: Prerecorded debate on NEWS CENTER Maine in partnership with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. The debate will be televised on either May 13 or May 14, time TBD.

1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Republicans Joshua Pietrowicz, a former Toyota sales and leasing consultant from New Gloucester, and Ron Russell, a retired U.S. Army veteran and consultant from Kennebunkport, will face off in the Republican primary to take on U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree. Pingree is not facing a Democratic primary challenge.

Thursday, May 21, at 7 p.m.: Live debate to be aired on Maine Public Television hosted by Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald. (Republicans only.)

2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Democrats Joe Baldacci, a state senator from Bangor; Matt Dunlap, state auditor and former secretary of state; Jordan Wood, a former congressional staffer; and Paige Loud, a social worker and graduate student, will compete in the primary. Former Gov. Paul LePage is the only Republican on the ballot.

Tuesday, April 28, at 8 p.m.: Televised debate on WMTW, WABI and WAGM. (Democrats only.)

Thursday, May 28, at 7 p.m.: Live debate to be aired on Maine Public Television hosted by Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald. (Democrats only.)

Rachel Ohm — 207-791-6388 rohm@pressherald.com