The race to represent southern Maine in Congress took a contentious turn this evening during a bipartisan debate that featured pointed discussions of the Iraq War, the minimum wage and the sinking U.S. economy.

Much of the heat was generated by the debate’s format. Unlike in previous forums, the candidates had a chance to ask questions of each other – and they used the chance to draw distinctions between their own positions and those held by their adversaries.

Democrat Ethan Strimling, who supports raising the state’s $7-per-hour minimum wage to $8.40 an hour, asked fellow Democrat Adam Cote about his view on a minimum wage hike.

Cote is running closer to the political center than some of his Democratic opponents, and he responded by saying that he supports raising the national minimum wage, but he thinks it’s a mistake to do so in Maine, because it would hurt job creation here.

The seven candidates who participated in the debate are vying to replace Democratic Rep. Tom Allen, who is leaving the seat to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Each party holds a primary on June 10, with the winners squaring off in the Nov. 4 general election.

The campaign’s eighth candidate, Democrat Mark Lawrence, did not take part in Wednesday’s debate because his father died this past weekend.

The debate was co-sponsored by the League of Young Voters, and it attracted a younger audience than attend most political debates. It was held at Space Gallery, a downtown Portland venue that often features live music. Beer was available at the bar.