Augusta, Maine — Three televised Republican debates over the next two weeks will put this field of extremists, has-beens, and unknowns on full display as the GOP primary enters its final stretch. Before the inevitable fireworks begin, here are four things to know.

Everyone Is In Lockstep With Trump And Desperate For His Endorsement

In a state where Trump is deeply unpopular and is dragging down other Republican candidates, the GOP gubernatorial field is shamelessly running to bring the Trump agenda to Augusta. They’re all “racing” for Trump’s endorsement and tying themselves to the MAGA brand and policies – despite the devastating impact of Trump’s economy on Mainers.

Johnathan Bush and Bobby Charles are all-in on Trump’s budget law, which has made health care so unaffordable that thousands of Mainers are opting to forgo health insurance. Bobby Charles skipped a previous Republican debate to travel to DC to plead for a Trump endorsement outside the White House. Garrett Mason has openly courted Trump’s support and has the backing of some of Trump’s top donors, including Illinois-based MAGA anti-choice billionaire Richard Uihlein, who has already spent over $3 million backing Mason.

Trump and his policies aren’t just harmful for Mainers – they’re toxic for Republicans in the general election. Don’t expect these candidates to acknowledge that anytime soon.

Every Candidates Would Rip Away Health Care

They may not agree on how, but every Republican in this race is running to take away health care for Mainers. Johnathan Bush compared Medicaid expansion to Putin bombing schools and has suggested using AI to kick Mainers off the program, including “people with jobs.” Garret Mason was one of the leading opponents of expanding Medicaid while he was in the state legislature. Bobby Charles has spent the campaign praising Trump’s devastating budget law, which drove up the cost of healthcare for more than 50,000 Mainers.

Ahead of the Republican convention, Maine Democrats released a video slamming Republican candidates for their dangerous health care agendas.

The Self-Proclaimed Frontrunner Bobby Charles Is Refusing To Debate

The loudest and self-proclaimed front runner will be skipping both of this week’s debates. Bobby Charles backed out of the CBS News 13 debate after previously agreeing to attend. His excuse? He’s skipping in “solidarity” with Robert Wessels, whose low polling numbers prevent him from even qualifying.

Charles is also skipping the WMTW debate, despite Robert Wessels’ participation. For a candidate claiming frontrunner status, he’s working hard to avoid the big stage, which makes sense considering they shellacked him in the last debate and took swipes at the Republican convention.

This Is Republican’s D-Team

While the Democratic side is filled with an all-star group of candidates, the Republicans are stuck with a field of unknowns, extremists, and previous losers. Jonathan Bush is a failed businessman with a shady background, who Mainers can’t trust to put their best interests first. Garrett Mason lost the GOP gubernatorial primary in 2018 and is relying on out-of-state MAGA mega-donors to buy him this race – but so far it seems like they’re just lighting millions of dollars on fire. Bobby Charles is running as nothing more than a Donald Trump wannabe.

None of these candidates are serious contenders in a general election.