This week on the podcast, Matt, Jake and Harris digest Shenna Bellows’ announcement that she is running for governor of Maine in 2026.
In her time as Secretary of State, Bellows has reshaped the office into a highly partisan center for progressive activism, and thinks that is her ticket to ride into the Blaine House. Her campaign announcement made clear that her message to Democrats will be “I took on Trump” by attempting to throw him off Maine’s ballot, conveniently leaving out the part where the Supreme Court made her “stand” irrelevent.
Still, a progressive pitch to a progressive party is likely to make her a realistic threat to be the Democratic nominee. Many Democrats, though, will be lining up to stop her, including potential candidacies by former Senate President Troy Jackson, Hannah Pingree, Rachel Talbot-Ross, and of course Rep. Jared Golden. We break down all the chaos likely to come.
On the Republican side of the aisle, the horserace has already begun as well, though without any big names officially declared. Matt’s current “list” of candidates who are seriously considering a run is now up to twenty-one, and although many of those people will likely choose not to run, the massive interest is an indication that Republicans are bullish on their chances of winning next year.
Finally, after talking through the nascent gubernatorial race, we wrap a bow on the podcast by talking about the aftermath of another Democrat-only partisan budget in Augusta last week, and what is likely next in a toxic state capital.