Maine’s junior senator and former two-term governor, who often polls as the state’s most popular politician, is in an unfamiliar spot.
Randy Billings
Staff Writer
Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been the State House bureau chief since 2021. He was named the Maine Press Association’s Journalist of the Year in 2020. He joined the Press Herald in 2012 as the Portland City Hall reporter, where his beat touched on a wide range of topics, including municipal government, immigration, homelessness, housing and social services. Prior to that, he worked at various weeklies as well as business and arts publications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, Orono. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and two children and enjoys the outdoors and playing his upright bass.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
What Democratic wins last week tell us about Maine’s U.S. Senate race
Progressives and moderates both have cases to make as they battle for the party’s identity.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Jared Golden says he won’t seek reelection in 2026
The Lewiston Democrat, who is in his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, announced his decision in an op-ed Wednesday, citing the rise of political polarization, violence and threats.
Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
Proposed absentee ballot restrictions doomed voter ID in Maine
One Republican lawmaker said including changes to absentee voting ‘gave the opponents the playbook to beat it.’
Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
Voter ID, absentee ballot restrictions defeated in Maine
Question 1, pushed by Republicans and conservative activists, was rejected by 60% of voters as of 10 p.m., when half of all votes had been counted.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
Susan Collins says Tuesday’s election may be key to ending shutdown
Maine’s senior senator hopes that a public commitment from the Republican majority leader to hold a vote on health care subsidies will be enough for the parties to reach a deal to reopen the federal government.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
Opposition research isn’t new. Here’s how it’s affecting Maine’s U.S. Senate race.
Disclosures of past online comments made by Graham Platner are part of a well-known political playbook, highlighting the risk young outsiders face when seeking public office.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine Constitution requires state to provide SNAP, says Winthrop Democrat
Sen. Craig Hickman, an organic farmer, says the state ‘must act quickly’ to cover the anticipated loss of federal food assistance for 170,000 Mainers.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine Gov. Janet Mills releases $1.25 million to help food banks respond to SNAP losses
Mills also has not ruled out calling a special session of the Legislature so roughly 170,000 Mainers don’t lose federal food assistance.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
Graham Platner’s campaign manager steps down, cites wife’s pregnancy
Although unrelated to recent controversies, Kevin Brown’s departure is the latest shake-up for the political newcomer’s insurgent bid for U.S. Senate.