Billy Kobin
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Helping cover politics @pressherald // Previously @bangordailynews @courierjournal // Proud alum @NorthwesternU // Wisconsinite // Be kind.
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Articles by Billy Kobin
It’s not just you. There are more Maine political ads than ever this year.
Political campaign mailers. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer) The gym. The doctor’s office. The living room. The car. The store. The salon. The restaurant and bar. Whether out and about or trying to relax at home, Mainers have heard or seen more than their fair share of political ads ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm election headlined by races for the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and governor. And don’t forget the glossy pamphlets — sometimes multiple in one day — that have arrived in mailboxes.
It’s not just you. There are more Maine political ads than ever this year.
Political campaign mailers. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer) Maine is the 42nd most populous state but is the 11th most expensive state for political ad spending this cycle, according to AdImpact, which said Tuesday that the total spending will likely get to around $400 million. Republican groups are outspending Democratic groups in Maine and nationally. The gym. The doctor’s office. The living room. The car. The store. The salon. The restaurant and bar. This story is for subscribers.
It’s not just you. There are more Maine political ads than ever this year.
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Who was the protester who interrupted the Susan Collins-Troy Jackson debate? Original
Sen. Susan Collins and Troy Jackson shake hands at the end of a debate at Husson University in Bangor on Thursday. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer) A Bowdoin College student was the protester removed from Thursday’s U.S. Senate debate after he stood and began yelling that data centers “are poisoning our waters.” The moment came about 15 minutes into the fourth and final televised debate between U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Democrat Troy Jackson.
After final debate, here’s where things stand in the race to become Maine’s next governor Original
The fourth and final gubernatorial debate saw no huge fireworks Thursday evening while covering largely familiar ground. That means the race to succeed Gov. Janet Mills remains Democrat Hannah Pingree’s race to lose. Pingree, a 49-year-old former Maine House speaker from North Haven who led Mills’ policy office, has consistently led polling of the contest by double digits and made no huge stumbles in the debates, though she was light on specifics at times.
After final debate, here’s where things stand in the race to become Maine’s next governor
The fourth and final gubernatorial debate saw no huge fireworks Thursday evening while covering largely familiar ground. That means the race to succeed Gov. Janet Mills remains Democrat Hannah Pingree’s race to lose. Pingree, a 49-year-old former Maine House speaker from North Haven who led Mills’ policy office, has consistently led polling of the contest by double digits and made no huge stumbles in the debates, though she was light on specifics at times. This story is for subscribers.
How candidates for Maine governor say they’ll fill a projected $1B budget gap
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How candidates for Maine governor say they’ll fill a projected $1B budget gap
Republican candidate Bobby Charles, left, and Democratic candidate Hannah Pingree shake hands as Independent candidate Rick Bennett looks on following the gubernatorial debate at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre in Bangor, Maine Thursday October 8, 2026. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) Maine’s next governor will face the early challenge of proposing a balanced state budget, and a projected hole of more than $1 billion may complicate that task.
Live updates: Susan Collins and Troy Jackson debate for the first time
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Live updates: Susan Collins and Troy Jackson debate for the first time
Democratic nominee Troy Jackson and Republican Sen. Susan Collins (Photos by Daryn Slover/Staff Photographer and J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press) Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson are set to debate Tuesday, the first time voters will see them share a stage. Democrats have long coveted Collins’ seat, which she has held since 1996. But she’s never faced a reelection battle quite like this.
Susan Collins gets more national scrutiny for campaign donations Original
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, speaks to employees of American Rheinmetall Systems in Biddeford on Aug. 31 before a tour of the facility. ( Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) Donations to Sen. Susan Collins were the subject of another story from a national news outlet Tuesday.
Early voting for the November election is underway in Maine. Here’s how to do it Original
A voter enters the State of Maine Room at Portland City Hall for in-person absentee voting in June. Early voting for the November election began Monday. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer) Early voting has begun in Maine ahead of the November election featuring a high-profile set of races for governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House, alongside state House and local contests. Mainers can vote early without needing an excuse from Monday until Oct.
Bobby Charles has received lobbyist money. But he’s trying to make an ‘Augusta’ distinction. Original
Bobby Charles, the Republican candidate for governor, speaks at an event where former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie endorsed him on Sept. 23 in Lewiston.
The laws tied to the Susan Collins-Navatek allegations are ‘crystal clear.’ Enforcing them is another matter.
The allegations of a “pay-to-play” scheme and bribery outlined in the recent ProPublica report on U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and a contractor may not lead to any further consequences beyond serving as campaign fodder, but experts said the piece highlighted some key facts. Existing laws are clear on banning such behavior, but it takes a federal agency to investigate any alleged wrongdoing, campaign finance experts noted. Then-Navatek CEO Martin Kao and U.S. Sen.
The laws tied to the Susan Collins-Navatek allegations are ‘crystal clear.’ Enforcing them is another matter.
Then-Navatek CEO Martin Kao and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins are shown at a 2019 announcement of an $8 million Navy contract. (U.S. Sen. Susan Collins via Facebook) The allegations of a “pay-to-play” scheme and bribery outlined in the recent ProPublica report on U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and a contractor may not lead to any further consequences beyond serving as campaign fodder, but experts said the piece highlighted some key facts.
Lawmaker says Janet Mills blocked her from getting state job because she supports Rick Bennett
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Lawmaker says Janet Mills blocked her from getting state job because she supports Rick Bennett
Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, sits in the State House on Jan. 3, 2024, in Augusta. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer) A Democratic state lawmaker said Tuesday that Gov. Janet Mills blocked the Maine Department of Transportation from hiring her because she endorsed independent Rick Bennett in the gubernatorial race. In response to the claims from Rep.
Hannah Pingree returns $300 campaign donation from former Jeffrey Epstein attorney Original
The campaign of Hannah Pingree, the Democrat who is favored to win Maine’s gubernatorial race in November, has refunded $300 in donations from a U.S. Virgin Islands man who previously served as Jeffrey Epstein’s attorney in business matters. Paul Hoffman, who lives in the Caribbean U.S. territory, made three $100 donations to Pingree’s gubernatorial campaign between May and June, per Maine campaign finance reports.
Matt Dunlap leads Paul LePage in 2nd District race, UNH poll finds Original
Matt Dunlap, left, and Paul LePage are running to replace U.S. Rep. Jared Golden in the 2nd Congressional District. A new poll of Maine’s 2nd Congressional District race found State Auditor Matt Dunlap slightly ahead of former Gov. Paul LePage — an intriguing finding given the widespread perception of the district as Republican-leaning.
Matt Dunlap leads Paul LePage in 2nd District race, UNH poll finds
Matt Dunlap, left, and Paul LePage are running to replace U.S. Rep. Jared Golden in the 2nd Congressional District. A new poll of Maine’s 2nd Congressional District race found State Auditor Matt Dunlap slightly ahead of former Gov. Paul LePage — an intriguing finding given the widespread perception of the district as Republican-leaning.
Way down in the Maine governor polls, what is Rick Bennett’s path to victory?
AUGUSTA — Rick Bennett had the audience’s attention as he made his pitch for succeeding Gov. Janet Mills as Maine’s next leader.
Hannah Pingree continues to hold a big lead in new poll of Maine governor’s race
Maine candidates for governor, from left, are Republican Bobby Charles, Democrat Hannah Pingree and independent Rick Bennett. Press Herald file photos Former Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree continues to hold a comfortable lead over Republican Bobby Charles and independent Rick Bennett in the race to become Maine’s next governor, a New York Times/Portland Press Herald/Siena poll shows. Pingree — a 49-year-old Democrat from North Haven who led a policy office under Gov.
Hannah Pingree continues to hold a big lead in new poll of Maine governor’s race
Maine candidates for governor, from left, are Republican Bobby Charles, Democrat Hannah Pingree and independent Rick Bennett. Press Herald file photos Former Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree continues to hold a comfortable lead over Republican Bobby Charles and independent Rick Bennett in the race to become Maine’s next governor, a New York Times/Portland Press Herald/Siena poll shows. Pingree — a 49-year-old Democrat from North Haven who led a policy office under Gov.
Way down in the Maine governor polls, what is Rick Bennett’s path to victory?
AUGUSTA — Rick Bennett had the audience’s attention as he made his pitch for succeeding Gov. Janet Mills as Maine’s next leader.
Chris Christie, a Trump critic, visits Lewiston to support Bobby Charles Original
LEWISTON — Bobby Charles has praised President Donald Trump at times during his campaign to become Maine’s next governor, saying he would even ask Trump’s border czar to send federal immigration agents to the Maine polls in November. So it may have felt strange when the Republican gubernatorial nominee scheduled a Wednesday evening campaign event at Lewiston’s Clarion Hotel with one of Trump’s chief critics within the Republican Party, the former presidential candidate and ex-New Jersey Gov.
Jared Golden endorses a vulnerable New York Republican Original
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, endorsed a New York Republican facing a tough reelection bid in November. The move from Golden, a 2nd District Democrat who cited increasing political civility and threats against his family in not seeking a fifth term this year, can be read in two ways.
Jared Golden endorses a vulnerable New York Republican
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, endorsed a New York Republican facing a tough reelection bid in November. The move from Golden, a 2nd District Democrat who cited increasing political civility and threats against his family in not seeking a fifth term this year, can be read in two ways.
Maine’s Senate race: Where Susan Collins and Troy Jackson stand on immigration policy
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Maine’s Senate race: Where Susan Collins and Troy Jackson stand on immigration policy
Immigration was already a hot topic at the federal level ahead of this year’s U.S. Senate race in Maine. But its significance ballooned after a surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents descended on the Portland and Lewiston areas in January as part of President Donald Trump’s controversial deportation agenda. Six months later, an ICE agent fatally shot and killed a Colombian man living in Biddeford.
Maine’s Senate race: Where Susan Collins and Troy Jackson stand on immigration policy
Immigration was already a hot topic at the federal level ahead of this year’s U.S. Senate race in Maine. But its significance ballooned after a surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents descended on the Portland and Lewiston areas in January as part of President Donald Trump’s controversial deportation agenda. Six months later, an ICE agent fatally shot and killed a Colombian man living in Biddeford.
National Democrats ease up on Maine governor spending due to confidence in Hannah Pingree Original
When looking at advertising budgets to judge how national Democrats are feeling about Maine’s gubernatorial race, less is more. The political action committee tied to the Democratic Governors Association has removed $550,000 worth of TV ads that were set to run starting later this month through the Nov. 3 election. The group is supporting former Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree, the Democratic nominee who is facing Republican Bobby Charles and independent Rick Bennett.
Matt Dunlap applauds SCOTUS decision on Trump mail-in ballot changes. Paul LePage has no comment. Original
Former Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage addresses the media during an August campaign event at Auburn Concrete. Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson of Louisiana, left, came to Maine to stump for LePage in his bid to win the 2nd Congressional District seat over Democrat Matt Dunlap. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer) The U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump’s move to change mail-in ballot rules ahead of the November election, and former Gov.
Niece of Bobby Charles defends him in op-ed after her mother criticized him Original
Maine gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles holds a news conference in Congress Square Park in Portland on Sept. 9.
Susan Collins offers no take on Trump’s $5,000 ‘dividend’ offer to American adults
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Susan Collins offers no take on Trump’s $5,000 ‘dividend,’ then calls it ‘costly’ Original
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, did not initially weigh in Thursday on President Donald Trump’s offer to pay every American adult $5,000 if Republicans keep control of the Senate and House in the November midterms — then she expressed skepticism about the idea.
Shenna Bellows will seek to be Maine’s secretary of state for 1 last term Original
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows speaks to residents of The Highlands in Topsham on April 3. (Daryn Slover/Staff Photographer) Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said Wednesday she will seek a fourth and final term as Maine’s top elections official. Bellows, 51, became the first woman to serve as Maine’s secretary of state when lawmakers elected her in 2020, and she won additional two-year terms in 2022 and 2024. Maine’s constitutional officers can serve up to four consecutive terms.
‘It won’t go well for them’: Jared Golden sticks with Trump in Canada tariff fight Original
Congressman Jared Golden at his home in Lewiston on October 3, 2024. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer) U.S. Rep. Jared Golden expressed support Tuesday for President Donald Trump’s new 50% tariffs on Canadian imports by saying the resulting confrontation “won’t go well for” the country that borders Maine. The Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs over the weekend on more than $27 billion worth of Canadian goods after trade negotiations between the historic allies broke down.
Live updates: What JD Vance said in Brewer about key Maine midterm races
Vice President JD Vance addresses a crowd at the Bangor International Airport during a rally in May. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) Vice President JD Vance is expected to speak at a Brewer defense technology manufacturer Monday morning, marking his second appearance in Maine this year. Vance will deliver remarks at Compotech during an 11 a.m. event. Other speakers include former Maine Gov.
Maine teachers have blunt message for Paul LePage in backing Matt Dunlap Original
Matt Dunlap, the Democratic candidate for Maine's 2nd Congressional District, shakes hands with Maine Education Association President Jesse Hargrove on Thursday during an endorsement event at Dufresne Plaza in Lewiston. (Libby Kamrowski Kenny/Staff Photographer) LEWISTON — Former Gov.
National Democrats finally back Matt Dunlap in his race against Paul LePage
Matt Dunlap, the Democratic nominee for Maine's 2nd Congressional District, speaks at a campaign event June 5 in Bar Harbor. Dunlap on Thursday officially won the support of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the national campaign arm for House Democrats. (Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press) The national campaign arm for House Democrats formally threw its support Thursday behind State Auditor Matt Dunlap in his 2nd District race against former Maine Gov. Paul LePage.
House Speaker Mike Johnson calls Paul LePage ‘one of the most qualified’ House candidates in history Original
Former Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage addresses the media during a campaign event at Auburn Concrete on Monday. Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson of Louisiana, left, came to Maine to stump for LePage in his bid to win the 2nd Congressional District seat over Democrat Matt Dunlap. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer) AUBURN — House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, traveled to Maine on Monday to back former Gov. Paul LePage’s 2nd District campaign.
House Speaker Mike Johnson calls Paul LePage ‘one of the most qualified’ House candidates in history
AUBURN — House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, traveled to Maine on Monday to back former Gov. Paul LePage’s 2nd District campaign. The afternoon event at Auburn Concrete and Auburn Aggregates in the key swing city next to LePage’s birth city of Lewiston was the third news conference LePage has held with reporters in August after largely sticking to a quieter schedule since he launched his political comeback attempt last year.
A megadonor from Illinois spent big in Maine politics this year and came up empty Original
Capitol Park in Augusta. The Maine State House is seen the background. (Joe Phelan/Staff Photographer) A billionaire CEO from Illinois gave gobs of cash to back a conservative candidate and a transgender athlete referendum in Maine this election cycle. It did not lead to success.
A megadonor from Illinois spent big in Maine politics this year and came up empty
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Paul LePage discusses Iran war without giving clear take on Trump’s actions Original
Paul LePage holds up a business card highlighting his campaign priorities which include “no tax on tips,” “no tax on overtime” and “tax cuts for seniors” Thursday during a special campaign announcement at Sheridan Construction in Fairfield. (Anna Chadwick/Staff Photographer) FAIRFIELD —Former Gov.
Maine gun control group declines to endorse Matt Dunlap in 2nd District race Original
Maine’s pro-gun control coalition said Tuesday it will endorse neither State Auditor Matt Dunlap nor former Gov. Paul LePage in the 2nd District race to succeed U.S. Rep. Jared Golden. The group’s lack of support for Dunlap was notable given that it threw its weight behind dozens of Democratic candidates running for state and federal office in November.
Why Graham Platner is at the center of Florida’s beef with The New York Times Original
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier speaks during a meeting at the Florida capitol in Tallahassee, Fla., March 5, 2025. (Rebecca Blackwell, Associated Press) Florida’s Republican attorney general is demanding records from The New York Times as part of a broader bid to scrutinize the news organization’s editorial practices. A story about Maine’s former U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner is at the center of his effort.
Susan Collins has no comment on Republicans holding Fauci in contempt; Angus King criticizes move Original
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testifies during a hearing at the Capitol in Washington in September 2022. (Cliff Owen/Associated Press) Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, had no comment after her fellow Republicans on a Senate panel voted Thursday to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic czar, in contempt of Congress. Meanwhile, Sen.
Everything Paul LePage told reporters as he rolled out an NRA endorsement Original
Former Gov. Paul LePage, the Republican running for Maine's 2nd Congressional District seat, walks through Maine Military Supply following his press conference Thursday in Holden. On behalf of the National Rifle Association, John Commerford of the NRA’s Institute of Legislative Action, endorsed LePage during the event. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) HOLDEN — Former Gov. Paul LePage has not shied away from saying provocative things over the years, but his campaign to succeed U.S. Rep.
Todd Blanche looks set to become Trump’s attorney general. Will Susan Collins vote for him? Original
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche talks with reporters after attending a meeting related to survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Washington, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Mariam Zuhaib/Associated Press) Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s path to confirmation looks clearer after he formally moved to squash President Donald Trump’s “anti-weaponization fund” meant to compensate the Republican president’s allies.
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