The governor’s decision also comes as she faces pressure to challenge Republican Susan Collins for her U.S. Senate seat in 2026.
Elections
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.
Republican field for 2026 Maine governor’s race slow to take shape
It’s early and more candidates are expected to enter the race. Rep. Laurel Libby and former Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason are two possibilities.
More Mainers have higher opinion of Gov. Mills than Sen. Collins, poll finds
Mills, who is nearing the end of her second term, has not ruled out challenging Collins, the five-term Republican seen as vulnerable by Democrats nationally.
Maine lawmakers push to expand ranked choice voting to governor’s race
The Maine Law Court issued an advisory opinion in 2017 saying the method would violate the state Constitution, but proponents say a court decision in Alaska dismantled the court’s reasoning.
Despite fears, most Maine districts OK school budgets
Voters in at least 6 districts, including Kennebunk-based RSU 21 and Gray-New Gloucester, rejected their school budgets, while a long-debated Cape Elizabeth bond project and a contested Gorham budget passed.
Brunswick Democrat announces campaign for Susan Collins’ Senate seat
David Costello, 65, says he’s running to ‘end the Trump Administration’s and Republican Congress’s reckless assault on our democracy, environment, and economy.’
Gorham Republican enters Maine’s 2026 governor’s race
Owen McCarthy, a medical technology entrepreneur from Gorham, said he’s running to ‘rein in runaway spending,’ deliver tax relief to struggling Mainers and small businesses, and ‘crack down on illegal immigration by cooperating with federal law enforcement.’
Central Maine voters OK school budgets; Embden rejects RSU 74 withdrawal
Thousands went to the polls in central Maine on Tuesday to vote on school budgets and local elected positions.
Turnout light in most places as Mainers vote on school budgets, local offices
Hotly debated budget proposals were expected to drive more people to the polls in some communities, including Cape Elizabeth, Gorham and Scarborough.