Welcome to this week’s recap, everyone - for Friday, October 10, 2025.1
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🗳 Maine News & Politics🗳
Health care executive Jonathan Bush, the nephew of former President George W. Bush and brother of broadcaster Billy Bush, is running for governor. While he may have money and name recognition, he’s only lived in Maine since 2021, and in Cape Elizabeth. It will be interesting to see whether it actually goes anywhere. I’ve updated the odds to include him.
Shenna Bellows had a press conference to discuss how her office managed to lose 250 ballots, but she refused to answer any questions from anyone who’d ever been critical of her. She vaguely blamed bad actors without elaborating, and assured us all that Maine elections were secure. After this incident, it’s hard to take her word on that; it’s probably a good thing the Federal Bureau of Investigation is getting involved. Hopefully the Department of Justice takes over the entire investigation.
Liberal groups are pouring money into Maine’s referenda campaigns. So far, opponents of Question 1, which would enact a voter ID law, are outraising supporters by a factor of around three to one. Supporters of Question 2, which would enact a red flag law to restrict gun rights, are outraising proponents by a factor of around eight to one. Intriguingly, much less money is being spent on Question 2 thus far.
The No Labels Party, a theoretically centrist political party that managed to achieve ballot status in Maine, officially dissolved after having achieved nothing during their brief existence besides wasting money. That did make them redundant in Maine; Democrats are more than good enough at wasting money on their own. Voters don’t need another party to do that, so it’s probably a good thing Democrats passed a special new law allowing No Labels to dissolve.
Janet Mills has decided that Maine won’t adopt new tax provisions included in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. Typically, when the federal government passes changes to the tax laws, states align their own tax laws with them for ease. The Legislature passed a bill last session ensuring that they’d be able to weigh in on whether Maine conformed to federal law. So, working-class Mainers will have to pay higher taxes on cigarettes and streaming services, but won’t get tax breaks on overtime wages or on tips.
Trump has nominated Maine District Court Judge Andrew Benson to be Maine’s U.S. Attorney. Benson was initially nominated to the state judiciary by former governor Paul LePage, then renominated by Janet Mills to continue his tenure. Before that, he was a prosecutor for the Maine Attorney General’s office.
Developers want to build Maine’s tallest building in Portland. It would be at 45 Union Street, a mixed-use building that would be at least 350 feet tall with an observation deck on top.
🏀 Sports 🏀
The New England Patriots upset the Buffalo Bills last week on Sunday Night Football, defeating them 23-20. Drake Maye was 22/30 with 273 yards; unfortunately for my fantasy team, he didn’t have any touchdowns. Stefon Diggs had 10 receptions for 146 yards, so he’s settling in as well. They next play the New Orleans Saints this Sunday at 1PM.
The Boston Bruins won the first game of the regular season 3-1 over the Washington Capitols this Wednesday, a good start to the campaign. The Boston Celtics open their season at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 22.
In his preseason debut, Cooper Flagg had 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists for the Dallas Mavericks in 14 minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Lest you think I mention him too much, in Corinna someone made a Cooper Flagg corn maze.
🍺 What I’m drinking 🍺
Reciprocal (7.3%), from Bissell Brothers, is a wonderful, juicy, dry New England IPA from Bissell Brothers, one of the go-tos in my fridge.
🎵What I’m listening to 🎵
I’ve purchased the tickets, booked the room, and reserved the train ride to go to this year’s edition of Phish’s annual run at Madison Square Garden during New Year’s Eve. I’ve enjoyed looking back at last year’s spectacle that I attended:
Jim is also a weekly columnist for the Portland Press Herald, Maine’s largest daily newspaper. Follow him on X, BlueSky, and on Facebook.
This was written Thursday evening and scheduled for publication Friday morning.