Waterville City Councilor Henry Beck, president of the Maine College Democrats, said the war in Iraq will be a major topic of discussion Saturday when college Democrats from all over the state head to Bowdoin College.

Their annual convention will feature a 4 p.m. debate with candidates running for the 1st Congressional District, and a 5:30 p.m. keynote address by U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, who’s challenging Sen. Susan Collins for her seat.

Beck, a Colby College junior, said 70 delegates have confirmed they will attend.

“Young people played a huge role in electing Democratic majorities in 2006, and helping Kerry in 2004,” he said. “We’re going to duplicate and double our efforts for 08.”

Students from Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, and University of Maine branches will head to Brunswick for the event, he said.

“The war in Iraq is touching our generation in personal and special ways,” he said.