Jonathan Treacy’s decision creates a possible four-way Democratic primary next June to pick the party’s preferred challenger against the longtime GOP incumbent.
Steve Collins
Columnist
Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served as the State House reporter for the Sun Journal since 2016. The Maine Press Association named him Maine's Journalist of the Year in 2022. Among his other awards are the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2016 Ethics in Journalism Award, the I.F. Stone Whistle-Blower Award in 2015 and the Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Steve is a founder and board president of Youth Journalism International, a charity that teaches students around the globe about news writing, media literacy and issues of the day. His wife, Jackie Majerus, serves as its executive director. Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in a military family that took him to Norway, Ohio and Virginia, where he earned a degree in history from the University of Virginia. He and Jackie live in Auburn. They have two adult children, two collies and not enough time.
Elizabeth Warren’s campaign puts Maine’s Frances Perkins at center stage
The Mainer who helped create the New Deal has become a staple of Democrat Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign speeches.
The climate crisis hits home in Central and Western Maine
WILTON — From moose to mud to maple syrup, the climate crisis is hitting home in Maine with an ever-greater impact. For 66-year-old Russell Black, a third-generation farmer and a Republican state senator from Wilton, it’s something with which he’s reluctantly learning to live. “It just isn’t the way it used to be,” Black said […]
Bruce Poliquin picked by Trump to head federal firm that seeks to recover money for investors
The former Maine congressman tapped to lead the Board of Securities Investor Protection Corp. that has recovered billions over the years from failed Wall Street firms.
Jared Golden pursues $12 billion solution to lead paint problem
Maine’s 2nd District congressman says it would be ‘more expensive to do nothing’ because removing lead paint everywhere would lead to big savings in health care and education.
Eric Brakey takes aim at Golden’s 2nd District congressional seat
A Republican hopeful from Auburn formally declares his intention to win a U.S. House seat so he can take on what he views as an overreaching federal government.
No takers for some school jobs in Maine
Area districts say it’s tough to fill vacancies, but the situation is probably no worse than it was last September.
Paul LePage’s former press secretary eyes 2nd District U.S. House seat
Adrienne Bennett, who sounds like a sure-fire candidate, said Tuesday she’s made a decision about whether to jump into a GOP primary for the seat and will announce soon.
Auburn school panel won’t fast-track superintendent’s contract
School Committee members agreed this week to slow down the process of deciding what to do about a new pact with Superintendent Katy Grondin.
Angus King had ‘very, very direct’ talk with Saudi crown prince about the murder of a Washington Post journalist
During a trip to the Middle East, U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and another senator met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to talk about a range of issues, including the war in Yemen and the slaying of Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey last fall.