Augusta, Maine — Today, Bobby Charles announced he is backing out of the WGME and Bangor Daily News debate he previously agreed to attend. For years, WGME has used consistent, established criteria to determine who qualifies for its debate stage. Robert Wessels (if you’re asking “who?” you’re not alone) simply didn’t make the cut.

Instead of showing up, Charles is now claiming he’s skipping the debate in “solidarity.” But let’s be real – is this about Wessels, or about avoiding David Jones and the rest of a GOP field ready to take him on?

At the Maine Wire debate, David Jones laid into Bobby Charles, essentialling calling him a liar. Maine Democrats of course included the heated beatdown in our debate highlight reel.

At the GOP convention just last weekend, Garrett Mason made some not so subtle swipes at both Bobby Charles and Jonathan Bush.

Maine Democratic Party Spokesperson Lauryn Fanguen responded with the following statement:

“Bobby Charles is all talk and no action. He’s loud on social media, but apparently can’t keep that same energy on a debate stage. What are you afraid of, Bobby?”

The WGME debate is the second of three scheduled for GOP candidates in the coming weeks. Will Charles show up when it counts, or keep looking for excuses?