All articles tagged with #maine
Democrat Scott Harriman won the Lewiston House District 94 special election 572-503 over Republican Janet Beaudoin, giving Democrats a three-seat edge in Maine's 151-member House. The seat was vacated by Kristen Cloutier, who resigned to take a job in the Senate President’s office, and another June special will fill Republican Kathy Javner’s seat after her death. Harriman, 39, serves on Lewiston’s City Council and School Committee.
Legal observers in Maine filed a class-action accusing DHS agents of using facial recognition and license-plate readers to surveil and threaten them during ICE operations, including threats to place them on a domestic terrorist database and to visit their homes; the suit seeks an injunction and DHS denies maintaining a domestic terrorist database, while lawmakers push limits on surveillance and an inspector general investigates ICE’s use of facial-recognition technology.
Graham Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer and combat veteran, is surging in Maine’s Democratic Senate primary against Gov. Janet Mills and Sen. Susan Collins, riding a Bernie Sanders–style progressive platform and a large online following. His rise challenges Maine’s tradition of electing moderates and could reshape the 2026 race, though questions linger about intra-party divisions and the role of national Democrats.
Maine health officials confirmed four additional measles infections, bringing the state’s lab-confirmed total to five. All new cases are unvaccinated and linked to the first case in Penobscot County; there are no new public exposure risks and officials say it is not an outbreak. A measles dashboard was launched to track cases, while nationwide measles cases stand at 910 as of Friday.
Senator Susan Collins of Maine announced a bid for a sixth term, positioning herself as a centrist in a race Democrats consider essential to flipping the Senate. Despite being a reliable vote for Trump-era policies, Collins faces a tough, well-funded challenge from Democrats in Maine, including Gov. Janet Mills and progressive challenger Graham Platner, who has outraised Mills. The race is expected to be among the costliest in 2026, with substantial outside spending and Collins currently holding a fundraising edge over both Democrats. Trump criticized Collins after she voted to begin debate on Venezuela policy.
ICE’s January operation in Maine targeting suspected criminals has sparked fear and accusations of racial profiling among residents and workers, prompting protests and community support efforts, even as some officials claim the operation ended at a higher request. The controversy shapes the state’s Senate race dynamics, with Republicans hoping Collins retains the seat to keep the majority while Democrats emphasize the harm to communities and labor groups.
Maine’s CDC confirms its first measles case since 2019, an adult from Penobscot County who recently traveled to a state with measles cases and was treated in Bangor. Health officials have notified facilities where exposure may have occurred and are informing those possibly exposed. Nationwide, 730 measles cases have been reported in 21 states this year, led by South Carolina. Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious illness, so people with symptoms or exposure should contact their health provider before visiting a clinic.
Maine's CDC confirms the state's first measles case since 2019 in an adult who had recently traveled to a state with known cases. The individual was infectious Jan. 28–Feb. 5 and may have exposed people at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Bangor (Jan. 28) and Hill View Mini Barns in Etna (Jan. 28–29); anyone at those locations during those times should monitor for symptoms and seek medical advice if exposed.
Maine health officials confirmed the state's first measles case since 2019, an adult from Penobscot County who recently traveled to a state with active cases and was infectious Jan. 28–Feb. 5. Potential exposures were at Saint Joseph Hospital in Bangor and Hill View Mini Barns in Etna; anyone who was there during those times should monitor for symptoms for 21 days and contact a health care provider if symptoms arise. Measles vaccination remains the best protection, with two doses about 97% effective, and adults should verify immunity through records or testing.
Democrats are launching a $2 million ad campaign aimed at Sen. Susan Collins over her support for ICE funding, run by a group linked to Senate Majority PAC, highlighting Collins' role in DHS funding negotiations and her stance on ICE in Maine as the state hosts a high-spending 2026 Senate race.
Several Maine schools, including MSAD 75 serving Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Harpswell and Topsham, canceled classes after threats and a bomb-hoax message prompted police searches; no hazardous items were found, and officials say threats are treated as credible until cleared; statewide closures followed similar hoax calls, including George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill.
In Maine’s June 9 Democratic primary, 78-year-old Gov. Janet Mills faces 41-year-old Graham Platner, highlighting a Democratic split between experienced incumbency and a new generation of progressives seeking to unseat Sen. Susan Collins. Platner, backed by Bernie Sanders, pushes bold reforms while Mills emphasizes experience and a one-term pledge. The race also hinges on Platner’s past online controversies and the broader question of whether seniority or freshness best serves Maine in a possible bid to shape Senate control; outside groups are preparing for a tough general election wherever the primary goes.
ICE’s drawdown in Maine ends a high-profile enforcement surge but leaves a charged political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections: Democrats, including Gov. Mills, push for restrictions and oversight of immigration enforcement,Sen. Collins emphasizes pragmatism, and activists remain vocal for broader ICE reform while voters weigh accountability and funding decisions.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills released her first TV ad for the U.S. Senate race against Sen. Susan Collins, explicitly repudiating ICE and tying Republican immigration enforcement to fear, in a six-figure statewide buy running for two weeks. The spot contrasts Mills’ criticism of deportation tactics with footage of ICE actions, as immigration policy becomes a central campaign issue amid Maine backlash to enforcement and local incidents.
Sen. Susan Collins said ICE has halted its enhanced, large-scale operations in Maine after discussions with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, adding there are no ongoing or planned large operations and that ICE will continue normal activities. The enforcement surge produced more than 200 arrests and drew scrutiny over who was targeted, as Maine political leaders and candidates weigh in ahead of elections.