Maine’s longtime Republican survivor has built her career on independence, local results, and crossover support. In 2026, Trump’s unpopularity, tariffs, and political chaos are making that formula harder to sustain.
Former Maine Republican Senate President Rick Bennett is running for governor as an independent, arguing that the two-party system itself is corrupt and a major cause of government dysfunction.
Maine Democrats nominated Troy Jackson for Senate after a rapid grassroots campaign mobilized delegates across the state. Now he faces incumbent Susan Collins in a race that polling shows is too close to call.
Maine and Washington, D.C. may still use ranked ballots, but Democrats would allocate delegates as though voters never ranked anyone beyond first place.
The Independent Voter Podcast explores Troy Jackson's rise as Maine's next senator, his independence from party leadership, and election integrity issues in California and New Jersey.
"Thank God you're running as an independent. This place is deeply broken and it needs fixing." The people closest to the machinery, he says, know best how failed it is.
This episode of the Independent Voter Podcast dives into the chaos surrounding the Maine Senate race after Graham Platner's withdrawal amid allegations and vetting failures.
As Democrats scramble to replace Graham Platner, the former logger and Maine Senate president offers a rare mix of progressive politics, labor credibility, and proven appeal in Republican-leaning areas.
Prediction markets are already pricing in a post-Platner race—and the name that is closing the gap with Collins before any announcement has been made may help the party avoid a full Joe Biden situation.
Buried in Title 21-A, section 374-A of Maine's election statutes is a provision built for exactly this kind of situation: a primary winner who becomes, in the party's estimation, more liability than asset before the general election arrives.
Jay Field
Independent Voter Podcast
Cara Brown McCormick
Shawn Griffiths
Matt Shinners
