Jon Reisman

As the legislative session winds down, numerous party-line votes highlight our divisions and dysfunction. Given the general thrashing majority Democrats have given Republicans on the budget; spending; the 1st, 2nd, and 14th Amendments; and energy, climate, and equity policy, one might have wondered if a mercy rule should have been imposed. But the beatdown has potential policy and political accountability consequences for the candidates and content of the 2026 elections for the Blaine House, the State House, Congress, and the Senate. 

The size and nature of the consequences depend on how the Maine electorate perceives and understands what is happening. That, in turn, depends on what media narratives they consume and trust (if any). If it’s the Soros-backed Maine Trust for Local News that includes the Portland Press Herald, Lewiston Sun Journal, and more than a dozen regional papers or the Mills-backed and state-subsidized (via a no-bid contract) Bangor Daily News, the Democrats’ accountability bill will be modest at best. The battle for the hearts and minds of Mainers is already underway.

Announced Democratic candidates for Governor include Secretary of State/take-Trump-off-the-ballot Shenna Bellows, former Senate Majority Leader/LePage foil Troy Jackson, wind/energy entrepreneur/nepo baby Angus King III, and Ken Pinet (your guess is as good as mine). They are likely to be joined by former Speaker of the Maine House, Director of the Governor’s Office of Innovation and the Future, Climate Council co-chair, and Chellie nepo baby Hannah Pingree.

Announced Republican candidates for Governor include State Senator/Professor James Libby, former national security staffer/Association of Mature Americans (AMAC, the conservative alternative to left wing AARP) Bobby Charles, Ken Capron (your guess is as good as mine), Appalachian Trail hiker Steven “Turtleback” Sheppard, and Business leader/”outsider” Robert Wessels. They may be joined by State Representative/Censure this! Laurel Libby and former candidates/leaders Sean Moody and Garret Mason. Republican Senator Rick Bennett may run as an independent.

Ranked choice voting does not apply in general elections for Governor (or the legislature), but does apply in primaries, and will likely be decisive in both 2026 gubernatorial primaries. Early polling and personal analysis suggest that nepo-babies Hannah and Angus are the early Democratic favorites. In the GOP primary, I’d put my money on Laurel Libby, who has benefited from major campaign contributions as a result of the nefarious actions of Speaker Fecteau, woke Maine Democrats, and the reputable actions of seven members of the Supreme Court.

In other election analysis, the anticipated Lepage/Golden face-off in the 2nd CD will likely get more attention than a Senate race between Susan Collins and a Democrat to be named later (Fecteau?). I expect one or two left-wing “independent” candidates to enter the 2nd CD race in order to drive up left-wing voter turnout to rank Golden second. It’s a proven strategy.

None of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates has a prayer to carry the 2nd Congressional District. The same can likely be said of the likely GOP nominee and the 1st Congressional District. It is both a sign and a symptom of our division and dysfunction. 

Jon Reisman is an economist and policy analyst who retired from the University of Maine at Machias after 38 years. He resides on Cathance Lake in Cooper, where he is a Selectman and a Statler and Waldorf intern. Mr. Reisman’s views are his own, and he welcomes comments as letters to the editor here or to him directly via email at [email protected].