Are Maine Democrats having their own tea party moment?
In 2009, the Tea Party movement gave rise to a rough-edged, tough-talking Republican governor in Paul LePage. Now, Democrats are eying a progressive with similar qualities in Graham Platner.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from Centralmaine.com.
Will Bobby Charles’ lead in the Republican primary for governor last?
Charles has led recent polling, but he’ll need to keep that momentum going to beat out the large field of competitors in his own party.
Thousands of Mainers protest Trump policies amid latest ‘No Kings’ nationwide rallies
Transgender rights activist Ella Bowman rallied the Waterville crowd on bodily autonomy, while speakers across the state criticized policies they say threaten democracy.
Thousands of Mainers rally during 3rd round of ‘No Kings’ protests
Demonstrations against the Trump administration took place Saturday in Portland, Lewiston-Auburn, Augusta, Waterville and dozens of other locations across Maine.
Does Jonathan Bush meet Maine’s residency requirement for governor?
Bush has owned a home in Cape Elizabeth since 2020, but tax records show he received resident exemptions in Massachusetts until 2023, and his campaign would not provide the dates he has lived in Maine.
A Democratic official flagged potential problems with MaineCare. Mills is pushing back.
State Auditor Matt Dunlap’s fresh findings about MaineCare financial controls drew pushback from Gov. Janet Mills’ administration. Both Democrats are seeking higher office this year.
Trump reluctantly praises Susan Collins in Fox News interview
The president initially lumped Maine’s senior senator into a group of Republicans he’s ‘not at all fans of,’ before calling her ‘a good person.’
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Randy Billings
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Billy Kobin
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Rachel Ohm
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Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate at forum by and for young Mainers
Just over 2 months from the Democratic primary, Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, Angus King III, Hannah Pingree and Nirav Shah fielded questions on everything from housing reform and health care to addiction and systemic racism.
Capitol Police merger advances despite Republican pushback
Republican lawmakers and Capitol Police union criticize merger bill over pay gaps and inefficiencies.
Senate approves funding for TSA and most of Homeland Security, but not immigration enforcement
The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on it Friday.
Mills ups the pressure for permanent free community college in her final year as governor
The two-term Democratic governor now running for U.S. Senate has visited campuses recently in an effort to get one of her signature policies funded.
Feds investigating Maine’s practice of placing transgender inmates in women’s prison
The U.S. Justice Department says it will also investigate the practice in California, citing reports of sexual harassment and assault by transgender inmates in both states.
Maine urges federal judge to dismiss DOJ’s lawsuit seeking voter registration data
The Department of Justice sued the state last year for voter registration lists, arguing it was necessary to ensure Maine is complying with federal law.
Maine Democratic primary voters prefer Platner by 2-to-1 margin over Mills, new poll finds
The Emerson College poll found both Mills and Platner leading Republican Susan Collins in a hypothetical general election matchup.
Paul LePage is using an Augusta apartment for his political comeback
The former Republican governor has split time between Maine and Florida over the years. He’s hoping to win the 2nd District in November.
Where Maine’s candidates for governor fall on tribal sovereignty
Of the 17 people running, 9 have indicated support for expanding self-governance for the Wabanaki Nations.
Meet the candidates running for Sidney Select Board
2 candidates are on the ballot Friday for a 3-year term on the board, and 2 others are competing as write-ins for a 2-year term.
Amid federal uncertainty, Maine lawmakers approve $1.5M to protect faith groups against attacks
Democratic lawmakers said the funding for Maine nonprofits and houses of worship would help offset a potential halt in federal funds under the Trump administration.
4 takeaways from debate between Republicans running for Maine governor
The 8 candidates who qualified for the GOP primary agreed on many issues, but with different approaches and experiences informing their answers.
Portland Sea Dogs, Maine Mariners worry about Democratic legislative priority
A data privacy bill making its way through Augusta has drawn pushback from the state’s business community.
Why the Trump administration is investigating Maine’s abortion laws
Maine is facing scrutiny from Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights over allegations the state is violating a federal anti-discrimination provision.
Did a judge rule Maine’s corporations are ‘entitled’ to a refund for the overturned Trump tariffs? | Fact brief
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in February that President Donald Trump acted unconstitutionally when he invoked an emergency to impose tariffs.
Graham Platner is still ‘a mystery’ to Maine voters. It’s costing Democrats millions.
He’s spending three times as much on ads in the U.S. Senate primary as Gov. Janet Mills, who went on the attack this week over her opponent’s old internet comments about sexual assault.
4 takeaways from the Wabanaki-hosted gubernatorial debate
On the key issue of tribal sovereignty, the 3 independents and 5 Democrats who attended the Houlton event Thursday night were mostly in favor.
Maine’s school funding formula could be changed for first time in 20 years
Following a major amendment, the education committee pushes forward significant changes to the Essential Programs and Services formula that education leaders said are long overdue.
Why Angus King and a Utah Republican are worried about a rural home program
The Maine senator and Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, are contacting Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to argue against recent changes to a rural home loan program.
Collins says $200B request to fund war in Iran is ‘higher than I would have guessed’
The reported request has not yet been submitted to Congress, and Collins said details are still unknown.
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