Mills Weighs Senate Run as Democrats Eye 2026 Showdown

Gov. Janet Mills is now a 50-50 bet to challenge Sen. Susan Collins in 2026, despite previously saying she didn’t plan to run again.

• National Democrats are pressuring Mills to enter the race, citing her strong statewide appeal.
• She’s keeping her options open, appearing at events like the Potato Blossom Festival and the upcoming Muskie Lobster Bake.
• Meanwhile, Republicans are launching early attacks, including resurfacing decades-old allegations from her time as a district attorney.

➡️ Why it matters: Mills is seen as the Democrats’ strongest potential challenger, but defeating Collins will be difficult given her centrist reputation and strong GOP support.

PAC Emerges Early in Maine’s 2026 Governor’s Race

A new political action committee is backing Republican David Jones for governor in 2026, marking a shift toward national-style campaigning in Maine.

• The PAC is led by libertarian activist Nick Murray, formerly with the Maine Policy Institute.
• David Jones has ties to both the Ron Paul and Trump movements.
• Single-candidate PACs are new to Maine at this early stage of a gubernatorial cycle.

➡️ Why it matters: With no contribution limits, these PACs allow wealthy donors to shape campaigns, a growing trend in state politics.

Transparency Push, Housing Demand, and Local Tensions

Several key issues are unfolding across the state:

• Maine’s congressional delegation supports a House subcommittee’s effort to release FBI files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Downeast Community Partners, a major nonprofit, is in turmoil following the firing of its CEO, raising concerns about local service delivery.
• In Orono, new “disorderly conduct” rules for tenants are drawing backlash from landlords over potential government overreach.
• Maine is now ranked the top New England state to move to in 2025, according to U.S. News & World Report.

➡️ Why it matters: From transparency to housing and nonprofit stability, these developments reflect growing tensions as well as opportunities in Maine’s communities.

Dirigo Media