The first televised debate in the 1st Congressional District race is happening now on WGME-Channel 13. All six Democratic candidates are participating – Michael Brennan, Adam Cote, Mark Lawrence, Steve Meister, Chellie Pingree, and Ethan Strimling.

Stay with me over the next hour as I track the debate live.

5:14 p.m. - The six candidates each gave a version of a stump speech they've now given countless times. Although this is the first televised debate, over the last several months these candidates have gathered for more than two dozen forums between Kittery and Camden.

5:26 p.m. – In response to a question about energy policy, Michael Brennan just spoke out against a gas tax holiday, which became an issue recently in the Democratic presidential race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

“I think that is a misguided notion," Brennan said, "and I think that will set this nation back rather than moving it forward.”

Mark Lawrence, who spoke just before Brennan, has come out in favor of a gas tax holiday. Lawrence says he would pay for the gas tax holiday with a windfall profits tax on the oil companies.

Brennan, by the way, agrees with Lawrence about the need for a windfall profits tax.

5:35 p.m. - A question about the Iraq war caused the most vocal disagreement of the debate so far. First, Ethan Strimling and Mark Lawrence said they disagree with Adam Cote, who opposes cutting off funding for the war. Then, Michael Brennan went after Steve Meister, saying that the humanitarian crisis he's worried about happening if the United States leaves Iraq has already occurred. Next, Meister and Cote fired back. Everyone involved made their points forcefully.

5:40 p.m. - Whoops. Audio problems with Cote's microphone.

5:45 p.m. - The next question was about what the candidates are going to do to help working families. Brennan used the question as an opportunity to tout his proposal to significantly expand access to higher education. That sparked a retort from Meister.

“I don’t think we can afford to pay for every person in America to go to college," Meister said, adding that the United States tried something like that in the 1970s, and a lot of students ended up partying.

The partying remark prompted a joke from Pingree, who was next up to speak.

“I just want to say I went to college in the 70s, and there was no partying," Pingree said.

5:50 p.m. - The lightning round happened a little too fast for me.

6 p.m. - Well, that went by quickly. If you missed it, fear not. There are plenty more opportunities to hear these candidates debate, starting tomorrow night at 6 p.m. on WGAN Radio. Thanks for tuning in...

– Kevin Wack

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