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This week we published a searchable database of Graham Platner’s deleted Reddit posts, along with an analysis by our reporter Josh Keefe.
We also launched our 2026 Maine Voter Guide, which breaks down key races and has detailed campaign finance data. We will have more ahead of the general election, but for now we focused on the contested primaries, which are coming up on June 9.
In that election, ranked-choice voting will be widely used. Our reporter Matt Junker breaks down what that looks like and explains the state’s long debate over its implementation.
We also have two pieces by Sean Scott that examine the growing visibility of conservative Christianity in state politics, including a close look at the Maine church that worked with Turning Point USA to bring its “Make Heaven Crowded” tour to the Portland Expo on Friday.
All of that, and more, is below. Thank you for reading.
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We keep all of our reporting — including our 2026 voter guide — free to read because we believe it is a public good. We want everyone to have access to the tools they need to participate in the governance of our state. We’re asking our community to come together during our spring fundraising drive to help us raise $70,000 to support our nonprofit journalism. |
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If our reporting has ever made you feel more informed, please consider making a donation and helping us reach our goal. |
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Read our full archive of Graham Platner’s deleted Reddit comments: The collection spans more than a decade and provides a rare glimpse into the thinking of a candidate at a time when he betrayed no political ambitions. Read this story by Josh Keefe |
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The growing influence of the Maine church behind Portland’s Turning Point USA event: Maine’s network of evangelical Calvary Chapel churches has become increasingly vocal in state politics in recent years. Charlie Kirk’s death has spurred greater interest. Read this story by Sean Scott |
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Pastors and political leaders are ‘praying for Maine’: Increased outreach by a Christian lobbying group, along with a men’s Bible study and an expanded prayer caucus at the State House, showcase conservative Christianity’s growing visibility in Augusta. Read this story by Sean Scott |
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Maine is stuck in ranked-choice voting limbo. That’s not likely to change soon: Nearly a decade after Maine became the first state to approve the use of ranked-choice voting for statewide elections, it has yet to fully implement the system. Read this story by Matt Junker |
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Here’s how ranked-choice voting works in Maine: Ranked choice is used in races for governor, the state Legislature and federal offices during the primary, but only in federal races during the general election. Read this story by Matt Junker |
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New England grid operator forecasts modest growth in electricity demand over next 10 years: Many people are switching to technologies that run on electricity rather than fossil fuels, reversing a past trend of falling electricity use. Read this story by Delger Erdenesanaa |
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A Maine island where almost nobody lives will restart a police department: The island had a police department until about a decade ago, when the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office took over. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News |
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Maine Library Commission moves to update patron behavior policy, library standards. Read this story by Judith Meyer |
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Kingfield Planning Board delays review of Bowdoin College campsite proposal. Read this story by Ashton F. LeCraw |
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Farmington Select Board awards $2.65 million contract to launch Main Street improvement project. Read this story by Ben Hanstein |
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Kingfield residents express opposition to Bowdoin College campsite project, seek moratorium. Read this story by Ashton F. LeCraw |
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Washington County Commission tightens oversight of spending. Read this story by Judith Meyer |
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Proposed Head of Falls project would add 63 units, major investment to downtown Waterville. Read this story by Charley DiAdamo |
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Harvesters, scientists and town officials coordinate steps to rebuild clam population. Read this story by Ethan Bien |
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RSU 73 board elects new leaders, sets town assessments. Read this story by Bob Neal |
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Farmington voters approve fire truck, bridge project at town meeting. Read this story by Ben Hanstein |
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Jay OKs final trash collection funds, holds line on sewer rates. Read this story by Bob Neal |
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Calais Middle/High School launches major improvement plan with $150,000 donation. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih |
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Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can also email The Monitor's editors: editors@themainemonitor.org.
The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support. |
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