Long-shot U.S. Senate candidate Tom Ledue has criticized U.S. Rep. Tom Allen for refusing to meet next month in a live televised debate ahead of June's Democratic primary.

In a statement released by his campaign, Ledue said Allen's decision is unfortunate and that more ideas, not fewer, need to be discussed.

A spokeswoman for Allen said the invitations for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network debate and a debate on Portland radio station WGAN were for dates when Allen had official duties in Washington, D.C., or other previously scheduled events.