Elections, Maine, News, Politics

They want to take on Chellie Pingree in November. Watch them debate.

The 1st Congressional District covers much of southern Maine. Two Republicans are vying for their party’s nomination.

Posted May 21

Updated May 22

Staff Report

CD1 Republican primary candidates Joshua Pietrowicz, of New Gloucester, left, and Ron Russell, of Kennebunkport, shake hands at a debate hosted by Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald in Lewiston on Thursday, Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)

From left, Steve Mistler, Maine Public, Billy Kobin, Press Herald, Jennifer Rooks, Maine Public, moderate a debate with CD1 Republican primary candidates Joshua Pietrowicz, of New Gloucester, and Ron Russell, of Kennebunkport, in Lewiston on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)

Democrat Chellie Pingree has represented Maine’s 1st Congressional District since 2009. Two Republicans want to change that.

Defense contractor Ronald Russell and former Toyota sales consultant Joshua Pietrowicz are competing for their party’s nomination on June 9. The winner will square off against Pingree in the contest for the 1st District, which has reliably voted for Democrats over the years.

On Thursday, Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald will host a debate between Russell and Pietrowicz. The Press Herald’s Billy Kobin will co-moderate.

Catch a livestream of the debate here.

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From left, Steve Mistler, Maine Public, Billy Kobin, Press Herald, Jennifer Rooks, Maine Public, moderate a debate with CD1 Republican primary candidates Joshua Pietrowicz, of New Gloucester, and Ron Russell, of Kennebunkport, in Lewiston on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
From left, Steve Mistler, Maine Public, Billy Kobin, Press Herald, Jennifer Rooks, Maine Public, moderate a debate with CD1 Republican primary candidates Joshua Pietrowicz, of New Gloucester, and Ron Russell, of Kennebunkport, in Lewiston on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
Joshua Pietrowicz, of New Gloucester, listens as his opponent Ron Russell, of Kennebunkport, answers a question at a CD1 Republican primary debate with Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald in Lewiston on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
CD1 Republican primary candidates Joshua Pietrowicz, of New Gloucester, left, and Ron Russell, of Kennebunkport, at a debate hosted by Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald in Lewiston on May 21, 2026. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
Maine Public’s Jennifer Rooks at a CD1 Republican primary debate with Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald in Lewiston on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
Ron Russell, of Kennebunkport, at a CD1 Republican primary debate with Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald in Lewiston on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
Maine Public’s Steve Mistler at a CD1 Republican primary debate with Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald in Lewiston on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
Portland Press Herald’s Billy Kobin, right, and Maine Public’s Steve Mistler ask questions of candidates Joshua Pietrowicz, of New Gloucester, and Ron Russell, of Kennebunkport, during a CD1 Republican primary debate with Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald in Lewiston on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
CD1 Republican primary candidates Joshua Pietrowicz, of New Gloucester, left, and Ron Russell, of Kennebunkport, shake hands at a debate hosted by Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald in Lewiston on Thursday, Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
Ron Russell, of Kennebunkport, at a CD1 Republican primary debate with Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald in Lewiston on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)