Unity attorney Jason Cherry, a retired FBI agent who last year ran unsuccessfully as an independent against U.S. Sen. Angus King, joins a crowded field of well-known Democrats looking to replace Gov. Janet Mills.
Randy Billings
Staff Writer
Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been the State House bureau chief since 2021. He was named the Maine Press Association’s Journalist of the Year in 2020. He joined the Press Herald in 2012 as the Portland City Hall reporter, where his beat touched on a wide range of topics, including municipal government, immigration, homelessness, housing and social services. Prior to that, he worked at various weeklies as well as business and arts publications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, Orono. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and two children and enjoys the outdoors and playing his upright bass.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine ends fiscal year with $152 million budget surplus despite previous warnings
State law requires most of the surplus be directed to the ‘rainy day fund,’ transportation projects and MaineCare programs.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Trump says Republicans should vote ‘the exact opposite’ of Susan Collins
Maine’s senior senator has voted against Trump’s top priorities, including a large tax-and-spend bill and $9 billion rescission package that cut foreign aid and funding for public broadcasting. Both passed without her support.
Posted inElections, News, Politics
What Maine voters need to know about upcoming referendum questions
The secretary of state’s office announced Thursday that Question 1 on the November ballot will be the proposed changes to voting laws and Question 2 asks voters to approve or reject a proposed red flag law.
Posted inNews, Politics
Trump administration will release more than $20M in withheld education funds to Maine
The administration announced last week that it was releasing a portion of the education funding. Sen. Susan Collins, who pushed for their release, is also calling for the release of medical research grants.
Posted inNews, Politics
Angus King voted to confirm an anti-abortion judge. Now, he regrets it.
Maine’s junior senator told the Huffington Post that his vote was ‘a mistake.’ His office said King was not available for an interview Friday.
Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
Gov. Mills to skip first national governors meeting since Trump confrontation
The governor’s decision also comes as she faces pressure to challenge Republican Susan Collins for her U.S. Senate seat in 2026.
Posted inElections, News, Politics
Who’s funding Maine’s red flag and voter ID referendum campaigns?
A majority of contributions have come from out of state for the 2 ballot questions touching on the national hot button issues of gun safety and voter ID.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine joins multistate lawsuit to reverse Trump FEMA cuts
The lawsuit claims the administration illegally terminated a program to help fortify communities against natural disasters, including a $41.4 million sand dune restoration project in York County.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Susan Collins opposes Democratic effort to rein in Trump’s budget rescission power
A spokesperson said Maine’s senior senator voted against the proposal because it would have been challenged on jurisdictional grounds and delay needed funding for military infrastructure and veterans services.