Thursday brings another busy night of midterm debates, with five statewide races on the schedule from Maine to Alaska.
The night begins with the final Maine Senate debate between Susan Collins and Troy Jackson, followed by governor debates in Michigan and Massachusetts. Alaska then takes over late in the evening with a governor debate featuring Dave Bronson and Treg Taylor before Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola close out the night in the state’s U.S. Senate race.
Today’s Midterm Debate Schedule – Thursday, Oct. 15
7 p.m. ET – Maine Senate Debate
Susan Collins (R) and Troy Jackson (D)
8 p.m. ET – Michigan Governor Debate
Jocelyn Benson (D) and John James (R)
8 p.m. ET – Massachusetts Governor Debate
Maura Healey (D) and Mike Minogue (R)
10 p.m. ET – Alaska Governor Debate
Dave Bronson (R) and Treg Taylor (R)
11 p.m. ET – Alaska Senate Debate
Dan Sullivan (R) and Mary Peltola (D)
Watch Live – Maine Senate Debate
Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson meet Thursday night for their fourth and final televised debate in Maine’s U.S. Senate race.
Collins is seeking a sixth term, while Jackson is challenging her after serving as president of the Maine Senate. The candidates have already met several times this month, with Thursday’s event serving as their final scheduled debate before Election Day.
Maine U.S. Senate Debate
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Candidates: Susan Collins (R) and Troy Jackson (D)
Moderator: Jennifer Rooks
Location: Gracie Theater, Bangor, Maine
Coverage: Maine Public, NEWS CENTER Maine and Portland Press Herald
Live Stream: Watch Below
The live, one-hour debate will be carried by Maine Public, NEWS CENTER Maine and the Portland Press Herald.
A direct YouTube stream may be posted closer to the start of the debate.
Watch: Maine Public YouTube
Watch Live – Michigan Governor Debate
Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James meet Thursday night for a televised debate in Michigan’s open governor race.
Benson, Michigan’s secretary of state, and James, a Republican congressman, are competing to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Michigan Governor Debate
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Candidates: Jocelyn Benson (D) and John James (R)
Moderator: Jason Colthorp
Location: WDIV-Local 4 studios, Detroit
Coverage: WDIV-Local 4, Local 4+ and ClickOnDetroit
Length: One hour
Live Stream: Watch Below
WDIV says the debate will air live on Local 4 and stream through ClickOnDetroit and Local 4+.
A direct YouTube stream has not yet been announced.
Watch: ClickOnDetroit
Watch Live – Massachusetts Governor Debate
Democratic Gov. Maura Healey and Republican Mike Minogue meet Thursday night for their final debate before Election Day.
Healey is seeking another term, while Minogue is trying to deny her a second term. The candidates previously met earlier this month and will return to the stage for a live, one-hour debate Thursday evening.
Massachusetts Governor Debate
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Candidates: Maura Healey (D) and Mike Minogue (R)
Moderator: Ed Harding
Coverage: WCVB Channel 5, WBUR and The Boston Globe
Length: One hour
Live Stream: Watch Below
The debate will air live on WCVB and stream through WCVB.com, WBUR.org and BostonGlobe.com. It will also be available through WCVB’s Very Local platform.
Watch: Debate Information and Stream Links
Watch Live – Alaska Governor Debate
Republicans Dave Bronson and Treg Taylor meet Thursday night for a two-candidate debate in Alaska’s open governor race.
The Alaska Landmine and AARP Alaska are hosting the event at King Street Brewing in Anchorage. Bernadette Wilson declined to participate, while Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins withdrew from the debate.
Alaska Governor Debate
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. AKDT
Candidates: Dave Bronson (R) and Treg Taylor (R)
Location: King Street Brewing, Anchorage, Alaska
Coverage: Alaska Landmine / AARP Alaska
Live Stream: Watch Below
Watch Live – Alaska Senate Debate
Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola close out Thursday night’s debate schedule with a live statewide U.S. Senate debate from Alaska.
Sullivan is seeking another term, while Peltola is seeking a return to Congress after previously representing Alaska in the U.S. House.
Alaska U.S. Senate Debate
Time: 11 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. AKDT
Candidates: Dan Sullivan (R) and Mary Peltola (D)
Moderator: Lori Townsend
Coverage: Alaska Public Media, Alaska’s News Source and KTOO
Live Stream: Watch Below
Alternate Stream Link: Alaska Public Media
The debate is part of Alaska Public Media’s “Debate for the State” series and will air statewide on television and radio as well as online.
Follow the latest numbers on our 2026 Senate polls page, visit our 2026 Senate elections guide, and track the major state races in our 2026 governor elections guide.