Michael Shepherd
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Politics editor, @bangordailynews. @UMaine, Muskie School alum. Open DMs. mshepherd(at)bangordailynews.com
Articles by Michael Shepherd
Paul LePage wins Maine’s 2nd District after ranked-choice count
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Hannah Pingree picks a longtime family adviser as her chief of staff
Insiders saw this first. This story was broken in Maine Politics Insider, the BDN’s daily premium newsletter for the most ardent political news followers. If you are a new BDN subscriber, you can sign up here. Current subscribers can to upgrade. Gov.-elect Hannah Pingree has tapped Jesse Connolly, who ran her office when she was Maine’s House speaker, to be her chief of staff. Forget the talking points.
Meet the 22 people helping Hannah Pingree choose her government
Gov.-elect Hannah Pingree’s transition committee is a roadmap to her agenda, and most of its members helped get her elected. The 22 people introduced Tuesday to help pick her Cabinet span business, labor, tribal leaders and a former Republican senator, but their political giving is overwhelmingly Democratic. Thirteen gave to her campaign, and some backed her through groups they lead. The volunteer panel has little time. Pingree wants to name every commissioner before her Jan.
See which parts of Maine flipped hardest in last week’s historic election
Politics Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here. A Democrat’s 50-vote win in a western Maine Senate district was the largest improvement on 2024 by any legislative winner in a competitive race this year.
Ihr habt uns eure Prüfungen geschickt – Zeit für eine Besprechung
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Das sind die Ergebnisse der watson-Schweizerdeutsch-Prüfung
Vor ein paar Wochen haben wir unsere Redaktorin Helen sowie ein paar andere Mitarbeitende der Redaktion mit einer Schweizerdeutschprüfung überrascht: Video: watson/Michelle Claus, Michael Shepherd Leider konnte ich diese aber nicht in unser Quiztool packen.
‘This is it’: How Susan Collins’ 30-year run ended in an anti-Trump wave
There was no sign of a problem in U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ hotel suite. When a Bangor Daily News photographer was invited in around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, Collins and about 10 family members were watching CNN at Bangor’s Hilton Garden Inn, chatting quietly and checking their phones over Polar seltzers and whoopie pies. The photographer told the five-term Republican she wanted to capture what politicians do on election night away from the crowds, and Collins chuckled. “This is it,” she said.
How Susan Collins’ 30-year run ended in an anti-Trump wave
There was no sign of a problem in U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ hotel suite. When a Bangor Daily News photographer was invited in around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, Collins and about 10 family members were watching CNN at Bangor’s Hilton Garden Inn, chatting quietly and checking their phones over Polar seltzers and whoopie pies. The photographer told the five-term Republican she wanted to capture what politicians do on election night away from the crowds, and Collins chuckled. “This is it,” she said.
Hannah Pingree taps former Republican and tribal leader to build her Cabinet
Politics Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here. Gov.-elect Hannah Pingree on Thursday named a former Republican state senator who once co-hosted a TV talk show with her and a Penobscot Nation leader to co-chair the committee that will help pick her Cabinet.
Paul LePage declares victory over Matt Dunlap in 2nd District race
This story is for subscribers only. Subscribers and donors help fund BDN’s in-depth political analysis, campaign finance investigations, and first-in-the-nation race calls. All election results, live analysis and voting information are free to access as a public service. Subscribe for $1 for 3 months right now. Former Gov.
Why Paul LePage is on track to be Maine Republicans’ lone bright spot, but barely
Former Gov. Paul LePage was in position early Wednesday to hand Maine Republicans their only major win of a bruising night, even as he trailed State Auditor Matt Dunlap by about 1,000 votes in the 2nd Congressional District. The rest of the ballot went the other way. Democrat Troy Jackson ousted U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, helping his party take control of the Senate. Democrat Hannah Pingree won the governor’s race, and Democrats expanded their majorities in both chambers of the Legislature.
Maine Democrats add seats in the Legislature, giving Hannah Pingree a bigger majority
A national wave election led Democrats to expand their majorities in both chambers of the Maine Legislature on Tuesday, giving Gov.-elect Hannah Pingree a much firmer hold on the State House than Gov. Janet Mills had in her final two years. Democrats said they won at least 87 seats in the 151-member House and 22 of 35 Senate seats as of early Wednesday.
Lewiston’s mayor faces runoff after a tumultuous year in city politics
This story is for subscribers only. Subscribers and donors help fund BDN’s in-depth political analysis, campaign finance investigations, and first-in-the-nation race calls. All election results, live analysis and voting information are free to access as a public service. Subscribe for $1 for 3 months right now. Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline and former City Council President Rick LaChapelle will meet in a December runoff after neither won a majority in Tuesday’s five-way mayoral race.
Waterville Mayor Michael Morris beats Matthew Boulerice again
This story is for subscribers only. Subscribers and donors help fund BDN’s in-depth political analysis, campaign finance investigations, and first-in-the-nation race calls. All election results, live analysis and voting information are free to access as a public service. Subscribe for $1 for 3 months right now. Waterville Mayor Michael Morris won a second term in Tuesday’s election, beating Matthew Boulerice for the second time in three years.
Chellie Pingree wins 10th term in Maine’s 1st District
This story is for subscribers only. Subscribers and donors help fund BDN’s in-depth political analysis, campaign finance investigations, and first-in-the-nation race calls. All election results, live analysis and voting information are free to access as a public service. Subscribe for $1 for 3 months right now. Forget the talking points. We go inside the Maine State House to uncover what’s really being decided, who’s pulling the strings, and what that means for you.
How the BDN calls races, and why a ranked-choice count may not stop us
Election 2026 Visit the BDN election page for our latest coverage of local, state and national races. Forget the talking points. We go inside the Maine State House to uncover what’s really being decided, who’s pulling the strings, and what that means for you.
Maine turnout could reach 70% on a smooth Election Day
Election 2026 Visit the BDN election page for our latest coverage of local, state and national races. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows projected Tuesday that as many as 70% of Maine voters will cast ballots in an election with control of the U.S. Senate on the line after more than 300,000 voted absentee before polls opened. By 3 p.m., her office had heard of no significant problems at the polls.
These local elections are being waged along the ‘Two Maines’ dividing line
Election 2026 Visit the BDN election page for our latest coverage of local, state and national races. Forget the talking points. We go inside the Maine State House to uncover what’s really being decided, who’s pulling the strings, and what that means for you.
Susan Collins and Troy Jackson end their races in 2 places that decide Maine
Election 2026 Visit the BDN election page for our latest coverage of local, state and national races. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins closed out her campaign Monday in the Aroostook towns that elected Troy Jackson to the Maine Senate, while Jackson was in the vote-rich Portland suburbs. Those schedules traced the map of a divisive race between two natives of Maine’s northernmost county.
Susan Collins and Troy Jackson end their races in 2 places that decide Maine
Election 2026 Visit the BDN election page for our latest coverage of local, state and national races. Forget the talking points. We go inside the Maine State House to uncover what’s really being decided, who’s pulling the strings, and what that means for you. BEST DEAL Maine Politics Insider Newsletter $4.25/week for your first 4 weeks, then $35/month SUBSCRIBE NOW Complete Digital Access $3 for 3 months SUBSCRIBE NOW U.S. Sen.
Maine Turnout Could Reach 70%, Secretary of State Says
The Flanagan Community Center in Rockland shortly after polls opened Nov. 3, 2026. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows projected Tuesday that as many as 70% of Maine voters will cast ballots in an election with control of the U.S. Senate on the line after more than 300,000 voted absentee before polls opened. By 3 p.m., her office had heard of no significant problems at the polls.
Fairness-Initiative: Wir erklären dir im Video, worum es geht
Video: watson/Aylin Erol, Michael Shepherd Am 29. November stimmt die Schweiz über die Fairness-Initiative der Mitte-Partei ab. Diese will die Diskriminierung von Ehepaaren bei der Besteuerung aufheben. Wie das Steuersystem funktionieren würde, erfährst du im Video. 02.11.2026, 19:4402.11.2026, 19:44 Eigentlich hat die Schweizer Stimmbevölkerung schon Ja gesagt zur Abschaffung der Heiratsstrafe, also der höheren Besteuerung von Paaren aufgrund ihres Zivilstandes. Und zwar am 7.
Most Mainers think Susan Collins will win despite her trailing in polls
Insiders saw this first. This story was broken in Maine Politics Insider, the BDN’s daily premium newsletter for the most ardent political news followers. If you are a new BDN subscriber, you can sign up here. Current subscribers can to upgrade. Democrat Troy Jackson posted his strongest polling of the Maine U.S. Senate race in two surveys released Sunday, but most voters still don’t think he will beat U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. Forget the talking points.
5 free guides to help you fill out your Maine ballot
Election 2026 Visit the BDN election page for our latest coverage of local, state and national races. Mainers have several voter guides to lean on as they finish their homework before Tuesday’s election, ranging from a personalized digital sample ballot to a plain-language PDF. The guides could help you at the end of a crowded cycle. Voters will settle the U.S. Senate race that could decide control of the chamber, fill the 2nd District seat opened by U.S. Rep.
Maine lobstermen lock down a top Democrat’s support days before Jackson-Collins election
Election 2026 Visit the BDN election page for our latest coverage of local, state and national races. A top Senate Democrat whom U.S. Sen. Susan Collins accused this week of blocking a lobstering bill told Maine fishermen in Ellsworth on Saturday that she would help move it, according to the union leader who organized the meeting. U.S. Sen.
What we know about the Lewiston voting footage federal prosecutors are reviewing
Election 2026 Visit the BDN election page for our latest coverage of local, state and national races. Federal prosecutors are reviewing security footage of early voting at Lewiston City Hall but would not say whether they are investigating the interpreters a conservative outlet accused of coaching Somali-American voters.
How to watch BDN’s election night livestream and send questions to our panel
Election 2026 Visit the BDN election page for our latest coverage of local, state and national races. The Bangor Daily News will stream its inaugural BDN Election Night Live on Tuesday as results come in from one of six toss-up U.S. Senate races with control of the chamber on the line. The show will track every major race on Maine’s ballot, from the seismic Senate contest to the open 2nd Congressional District seat and the race for governor.
Das sind die Midterms – und deshalb sind sie für Trump so wichtig
Video: watson/Delia Klo, Michael Shepherd Alle zwei Jahre genau in der Hälfte nach einer Präsidentschaftswahl finden die Midterms statt. Doch was sind die Midterms und warum sind sie so wichtig für US-Präsident Donald Trump? Am 3. November finden die sogenannten Midterms, also Zwischenwahlen, statt. Dann wählen die USA ihr Parlament neu. Das Parlament, also der Kongress, besteht aus zwei Kammern – ähnlich wie in der Schweiz.
Das sind die Midterms – und deshalb sind sie für Trump so wichtig
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Midterms einfach erklärt – und wieso sie für Trump so wichtig sind
Video: watson/Delia Klo, Michael Shepherd Essentials Alle zwei Jahre genau in der Hälfte nach einer Präsidentschaftswahl finden die Midterms statt. Doch was sind die Midterms und warum sind sie so wichtig für US-Präsident Donald Trump? 27.10.2026, 17:1427.10.2026, 17:14 Am 3. November finden die sogenannten Midterms, also Zwischenwahlen, statt. Dann wählen die USA ihr Parlament neu. Das Parlament, also der Kongress, besteht aus zwei Kammern – ähnlich wie in der Schweiz.
3 moments from Troy Jackson and Elizabeth Warren’s latest appeal to progressives
Politics Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here. Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Troy Jackson joined Sen.
Maines ranked-choice system could decide the Senate under a hot spotlight
If the U.S. Senate race between U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson is close, the country may wait days to learn whether it is headed to a ranked-choice count and a week or more to learn who won. Forget the talking points. We go inside the Maine State House to uncover whats really being decided, whos pulling the strings, and what that means for you.
Maine’s Ranked-Choice System Could Decide the U.S. Senate
If the U.S. Senate race between U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson is close, the country may wait days to learn whether it is headed to a ranked-choice count and a week or more to learn who won. Only first choices are counted on election night, and blank ballots and write-in votes can keep a candidate short of the majority needed to win outright. If that happens, Maine would hold its first statewide ranked-choice count in a general election. kAms64:D:@?
Susan Collins tailgates and Troy Jackson rallies with 10 days left until Election Day
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Troy Jackson spent the second Saturday before Election Day in very different settings. Collins sipped hard seltzer while working the crowd at the University of Maine’s homecoming tailgate in Orono. Jackson started his day at a union canvass launch in Westbrook, then went on to events in Bridgton, Windham and Oxford County. Here are four moments from the trail.
Fox News poll shows Susan Collins and Troy Jackson tied less than 2 weeks out
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Fox News poll shows Susan Collins and Troy Jackson tied less than 2 weeks out
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson were tied at 49% among likely voters in a Fox News poll released Thursday, the latest survey to show Maine’s Senate race as a coin flip less than two weeks before Election Day. It is one of the better results this month for Collins, a Republican who has not led a public poll since late September and trailed in every single one in 2020 before handily beating Democrat Sara Gideon. Jackson has a 56% chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ.
Joe Manchin says Donald Trump ‘owns this economy’ on Maine stop with Susan Collins
Politics Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here. LEWISTON, Maine — During a diner stop with U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, former U.S. Sen.
Susan Collins’ biggest backer airs a country-song attack on Troy Jackson’s family
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The ad war between Susan Collins and Troy Jackson is more negative than ever
Politics Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here. Forget the talking points. We go inside the Maine State House to uncover what’s really being decided, who’s pulling the strings, and what that means for you.
The ad war between Susan Collins and Troy Jackson is more negative than ever
Politics Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here. More than 9 of every 10 dollars spent on TV ads in Maine’s U.S. Senate race went to negative ads on Saturday, marking the most hostile point yet in the contest between Republican Sen.
Untangling the Massive Outside Money Web Behind Susan Collins
An intertwined Republican network of super PACs and nonprofits has booked about $126 million in ads to reelect U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, with much of it traced to billionaires and donors who will never be named. That is nearly all of the ad time booked by Republican outside groups in the five-term senator’s toss-up race against former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, according to AdImpact data counting time aired and reserved through year’s end.
Schlägst du die Redaktion?
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Schlägst du die Redaktion?
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Wir lassen unsere Mitarbeitenden eine Schweizerdeutsch-Prüfung schreiben
Wir stellen uns der grossen Schweizerdeutsch-Prüfung Video: watson/Michelle Claus, Michael Shepherd 19.10.2026, 17:5919.10.2026, 18:15 Helen will Schweizerdeutsch lernen. In der ersten Folge hat sie sich ganz der Wahl des Dialekts gewidmet. Dafür haben verschiedene watson-Angestellte teils mit Zucker, teils mit Peitsche für ihren jeweiligen Dialekt geworben. Danach war sie zu Besuch in einer Sprachschule.
NEW: Bangor Daily News Exposes How Collins’ Campaign Is Powered By MAGA Billionaires and Other Dark Money Groups
Augusta, ME – In a new exposé, the Bangor Daily News revealed how Susan Collins’ campaign is primarily powered by dark money groups financed by MAGA billionaires. According to the report, the $126 million in dark money spending on Collins behalf is backed by some of President Trump’s most infamous billionaire allies, including Elon Musk, private equity CEO Stephen Schwarzman, and Federalist Society Co-Chairman Leonard Leo.
Untangling the massive outside money web behind Susan Collins
An intertwined Republican network of super PACs and nonprofits has booked about $126 million in ads to reelect U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, with much of it traced to billionaires and donors who will never be named. That is nearly all of the ad time booked by Republican outside groups in the five-term senator’s toss-up race against former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, according to AdImpact data counting time aired and reserved through year’s end.
Troy Jackson raises $20.4M in a furious Maine Senate campaign ramp-up
Politics Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here. Democrat Troy Jackson raised $20.4 million in his first three months in the U.S. Senate race, four times what Republican Sen.
Susan Collins and Troy Jackson split sharply on democracy’s future in final debate
At a Thursday debate, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said American democracy “will be just fine” while Democratic opponent Troy Jackson questioned whether President Donald Trump will leave office when his term ends. The exchange came in response to a submitted question toward the end of the fourth and final debate of Maine’s toss-up U.S. Senate race, hosted by Maine Public, News Center Maine and the Portland Press Herald at the Gracie Theatre at Husson University in Bangor.
Susan Collins and Troy Jackson split sharply on democracy’s future in final debate
At a Thursday debate, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said American democracy “will be just fine” while Democratic opponent Troy Jackson questioned whether President Donald Trump will leave office when his term ends. Forget the talking points. We go inside the Maine State House to uncover what’s really being decided, who’s pulling the strings, and what that means for you.
Live updates: Susan Collins and Troy Jackson meet in Bangor for final debate
Politics Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here. Forget the talking points. We go inside the Maine State House to uncover what’s really being decided, who’s pulling the strings, and what that means for you.
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