FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington spring 2012 class on “Politics in Maine” will host a series of public presentations featuring candidates and current office holders in Maine politics and government, and media professionals. These sessions, each featuring a single presenter, are free and open to the public and will be held at 6:15 p.m., most weeks, from February through May, in Thomas Auditorium, in UMF Preble/Ricker Hall.

Developed by Tom Saviello, state senator for Maine Senate District 18 and UMF adjunct associate professor, this series of public presentations was created to help inform students and members of the general public on this year’s candidates and current political issues. During the presentations, each speaker will have an hour to share his or her vision for Maine’s future, their current job responsibilities and to answer questions from the audience.

In addition to the class presentations, students registered in the class will also have the opportunity to have dinner on campus with each candidate and to participate in a private question and answer period. At the semester’s end, classroom students will debate the candidates and hold mock elections.

Speakers in the UMF “Politics in Maine” class series include:

Feb. 9: Matt Dunlap, Democrat for U.S. Senate

March 1: Kevin Raye, Maine Senate President and Republican for U.S. House of Representatives

March 9: Bruce Poliquin, Maine State Treasurer

March 15: Congressman Mike Michaud

April 5: Charlie Summers, Maine Secretary of State

April 11: Bill Schneider, Maine Attorney General

April 26: Steve Mistler, news reporter for Lewiston Sun Journal; or Cynthia Dill, Democrat for U.S. Senate

May 3: To be announced

Nancy Marshall, Marshall Communications and John Hinck, Democrat for U.S. Senate, presented previously.