5 takeaways from Maine’s legislative session
The session was colored by this year’s elections, but was still pretty quiet, with no single issue stealing the spotlight at the State House.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Sun Journal.
Graham Platner, with Elizabeth Warren in Maine, hits his frontrunner stride
Platner’s latest rally filled a Portland hotel ballroom, with the crowd feeling like he is the Democratic pick for November.
Jared Golden still has money in his campaign account. Where is it going?
Maine’s 2nd District congressman had said last year he would give his remaining campaign funds to Democrats running in 2026.
Janet Mills says she opposes attempts to stop funding Israel’s defenses
Mills said at a campaign stop Friday that she would have issues with any effort to prevent the sale of defensive weapons for Israel’s Iron Dome.
Here’s what happened with Wabanaki legislative priorities
The tribes in Maine secured some victories, including tax breaks and a representative for the Mi’kmaq Nation.
From cellphone bans to the funding formula, major education changes became law
The Legislature passed consequential reforms, including some long-fought changes to school construction funding and making free community college permanent.
How Matt Dunlap seeks to win Maine’s Trump-voting congressional district as a progressive
State Auditor Matt Dunlap, previously a secretary of state, Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine leader and state lawmaker, feels his life experiences resonate with voters of all stripes.
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Randy Billings
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Billy Kobin
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Rachel Ohm
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Police pull the plug on mobile billboard targeting Janet Mills on data centers
Hallowell Police cited the driver for speeding and for having an illuminated advertisement on a vehicle, which is against the law and subject to a fine.
Jared Golden casts key vote with Republicans to defeat Iran war resolution
Golden, the moderate from Maine’s 2nd District, was the lone House Democrat to vote with Republicans, who narrowly defeated the latest effort to put checks on President Donald Trump’s actions in Iran.
The bills that Maine lawmakers passed — and didn’t pass — this year
This is the last session under Gov. Janet Mills, who has seen Democrats control the Legislature for her entire 8-year tenure.
Does Maine have one of the highest voter participation rates nationwide? | Fact brief
On average, more than two-thirds of Maine voters cast ballots in the past 4 federal elections, according to an analysis of voting data.
I’m a Maine reporter who went to high school with Graham Platner. Here’s what explains his success
Platner is not just running ahead of Gov. Janet Mills for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. He’s possibly the most remarkable political story in the country.
Graham Platner announces $4M fundraising haul for first quarter of 2026
The total bolsters his U.S. Senate primary run against Gov. Janet Mills, who raised $2.6M.
People with disabilities slam Graham Platner’s use of ‘R word’; he apologizes
The Sullivan oyster farmer used the word in a recent interview.
Maine lawmakers approve first-in-nation temporary ban on data centers
The bill now heads to Gov. Janet Mills, who expressed concerns over its sweep.
Legislature passes first reform of Maine’s school funding formula in 2 decades
Gov. Mills plans to sign the bill — which would change the EPS formula by accounting for local poverty rates in state funding calculations and modernizing outdated regional adjustments — into law.
Maine hearing on transgender athletes sets up high-profile November election
The ballot initiative seeks to restrict transgender athlete participation in sports and require separate bathrooms and locker rooms for students based on the sex they were assigned at birth.
Planned Parenthood backs Janet Mills in Democratic primary for US Senate
The endorsement comes at a pivotal time for the governor, who is trailing political newcomer Graham Platner by double digits in most independent polls.
Maine trans athlete bill faces a test before the Legislature today. Here’s how to watch.
Lawmakers will debate the measure, which has been approved as a statewide referendum, on Tuesday morning.
Maine candidate will no longer accept endorsement from Eric Swalwell amid sexual assault allegations
Jordan Wood, who is running for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, said he’ll give U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell’s donation to a local food bank.
Elizabeth Warren to rally with Graham Platner in Portland on Saturday
The U.S. senator from Massachusetts will speak about taking on billionaires and Wall Street, while fighting for workers.
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