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Hi there! Kirby Wilson here.
We've never seen an election cycle like this in Maine. Just in the last week, we had the sitting governor drop out of the U.S. Senate race; an ethics complaint filed against Democratic gubernatorial front-runners and national Democrats taking the unusual step of weighing in on a high-stakes congressional primary. There's too much news to pack into just one weekly politics newsletter.
That's why today, we're launching Maine Political Report: Election Edition, a subscriber-exclusive newsletter bringing you everything you need to know before (and after) casting your ballot. Thanks for being here!
Many of you may know me from our regular Maine Political Report newsletter, which comes out every Friday.
If you're new here, allow me to introduce myself. I'm the politics editor for the Maine Trust for Local News. I edit our excellent three-person politics team, and I oversee politics coverage for all of the Maine Trust for Local News publications.
Election Edition will land in your inbox periodically throughout the election season, bringing you insight into the key races, big events, big political donors and much more. I'll be co-writing this newsletter with Billy Kobin, one of our talented politics reporters.
Have a burning question about the 2026 election? Send it to us, and we'll try to get you an answer. We may even feature your question in a future edition of this newsletter.
This is just a small part of our broader Maine Matters coverage of the 2026 cycle. We're also writing stories every day; hitting the pavement to attend events; hosting candidate debates and so much more. But we hope this new project gives you insight into Maine politics that you can't get anywhere else. |
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Not interested in this newsletter? Click here to opt out. |
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One big read |
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Brianna Soukup/Press Herald |
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In some ways, this is the story of the 2026 election cycle.
Sen. Susan Collins keeps getting reelected because Maine moderates trust her. Democrats have taken something of a gamble in nominating political newcomer Graham Platner, who will have to win over lots of people who've voted for Collins in the past if he's to become a U.S. Senator.
But there's plenty of evidence he can do it.
Reporter Randy Billings has the full story. |
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You ask, we answer. Send your questions about this year's election to kwilson@metln.org. Each week, we'll select some to feature in this newsletter. |
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Catch up quick |
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🗳️ Read our dispatch from an eventful Maine Democratic Party convention over the weekend. I promise it's worth your time. Read all the way to the end.
🎱 The Senate Democratic primary is over. But the governor's race is, in many ways, just beginning. Here's what I mean.
👥 Talk about a contrast in styles. We've never seen anything like Graham Platner vs. Susan Collins.
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Field notes |
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I'm not sure what the DCCC is doing in Congressional District 2. But I have a theory.
For the uninitiated, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Monday it was adding state Sen. Joe Baldacci to its “Red to Blue” program, meaning the organization will give Baldacci organizational and financial support. It's basically an endorsement.
But the CD-2 primary features several competitive Democratic candidates: Baldacci, State Auditor Matt Dunlap, ex-Capitol Hill operative Jordan Wood and social worker Paige Loud.
The DCCC's move has to be read as a particular snub for Dunlap. Like Baldacci, he's been around state politics forever, whereas Wood and Loud are relative political newcomers.
Dunlap probably made the DCCC angry by filing to challenge Democratic Rep. Jared Golden for the district seat last year. Golden announced in November he wouldn't run for reelection, but challenging a Democratic incumbent is a great way to get on D.C.'s you-know-what list.
Will Maine voters heed the call of national party leaders, or will they cast aside their recommendation like they did with Gov. Janet Mills' U.S. Senate campaign? Baldacci hopes it'll be the former.
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On our radars |
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Absentee voting begins
Need to register to vote absentee? Use this guide from the secretary of state's office. |
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Trail stops |
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It's debate season! In the governor's race, watch out for two debates tonight:
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The Democrats will participate in a televised debate on WGME in partnership with the Bangor Daily News at 7 p.m.
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The Republican candidates will have a televised debate on WMTW, WABI and WAGM.
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As the governor's race takes center stage, these will both be must-watches. |
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Following the money💰 |
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Susan Collins made an interesting move this week. According to our friends at the ad tracking company Ad Impact, Collins pulled back nearly $1.4 million in ad spending between now and the June 9 primary.
This makes some sense given that Collins doesn't have a primary opponent. She's also got eleventy kajillion dollars (all numbers approximate) of support from Super PACs funded by well-heeled donors, making a $1.4 million pullback relatively inconsequential.
Still, for most any other candidate, that would be a lot of money to reallocate. We'll be looking for where it goes.
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