The BDN Editorial Board operates independently from the newsroom, and does not set policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com.
On Tuesday, Maine voters will vote for their representatives, in Congress and the Maine Legislature, and for president. There are also five statewide referendum questions on the ballot, including three bonds and a question about changing the state flag.
Here is a brief summary of endorsements from the Bangor Daily News editorial board, which operates separately from the BDN newsroom.
This is why we endorse
“We endorse candidates because we often have been given unusual access to them and we have the time to dig deeply into and challenge their ideas.”
While we support Question 1, which would change state law to limit contributions to Super PACs to $5,000, voters should realize that this initiative is really about setting up a legal challenge to campaign contributions. While it is a longshot that the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn rulings that have largely extinguished limits on campaign funding, we believe that the amount of money spent on political campaigns is outrageous and that limits need to be set.
Question 2, 3, and 4 on the statewide ballot ask voters about bonds. The BDN editorial board recommends a yes vote on these questions.
Question 2 asks voters to approve $25 million in borrowing to replenish a competitive grant funding program run by the Maine Technology Institute. The money, like the funds from a $45 million bond that was strongly supported by Maine voters in 2017, would be awarded to projects in six target areas that are centered on long-standing industries in Maine: forestry and agriculture; aquaculture and marine technology; environmental and renewable energy; biomedicine and life sciences; composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing; and information technology.
The $45 million approved by voters in 2017 funded 18 projects, which brought in an additional $193 million from the private sector.
This bond will continue state investment in innovation that has created jobs and helped to grow Maine’s economy.
Question 3 would approve a $10 million bond to help restore historic government and nonprofit buildings across the state. The question requires a 25 percent local match from either private or nonprofit sources.
This bond is a prudent if insufficient public investment in structures and sites like old meeting houses, town halls, public libraries, museums, grange buildings, old forts, homesteads, and other sites that might otherwise fade into memory without restoration efforts.
Question 4, is a $30 million bond for trails in Maine. While voters have approved several bonds for land acquisition for public recreation, hunting and commercial fishing, the state has not previously borrowed money to support the development and maintenance of trails.
Increasingly, outdoor recreation has become an important economic driver in communities across Maine. Snowmobile trails, trails for mountain biking and hiking, and trails accessible to people in wheelchairs have become part of long-range plans as communities plan their futures.
This bond can help jumpstart this work, which will benefit Mainers and visitors.
Question 5 asks voters whether they support changing Maine’s flag to a simple pine tree design that was used in the early 1900s. Maine’s current state flag, which features the state seal on a blue background, is not distinctive and its imagery feels outdated. Although we think state lawmakers spent way too much time considering a new state flag, we generally like the pine tree design as a flag that is unique.
Mainers will also be choosing their congressional representatives, a U.S. senator and president on Tuesday.
In Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Jared Golden is being challenged by Republican Austin Theriault, a state lawmaker and former NASCAR driver.
Although we’ve had moments of frustration with Golden’s sometimes combative style, his efforts to seek compromise and his independence from the Democratic Party make for thoughtful positions on major issues, including federal spending, gun violence and immigration.
Theriault pledges to buck his party and says he wants to move away from extreme rhetoric in politics, yet he steadfastly supports his party’s standard bearer, Donald Trump, who has taken that extreme rhetoric to a new and dark level.
In short, Golden has the needed experience to navigate a divided House of Representatives, securing wins for his district while advancing critical national issues.
1st Congressional District Rep. Chellie Pingree is seeking a 9th term in the U.S. House. This raises an age-old question about the balance between experience and fresh perspective. However, there should be little doubt that, with the power that comes with incumbency, more time spent in Congress can be beneficial for constituents. As a top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, Pingree is well versed and well positioned to deliver for her district.
Pingree recognizes the imperative, for her district and for the entire country, of preparing for and combating climate change. She is also clear eyed to the need for Congress to exercise critical checks and oversight of the executive branch should Trump be elected again.
Pingree is a thoughtful and experienced legislator, and by our assessment, her two challengers — Republican Ron Russell and independent Ethan Alcorn — are unprepared to replace her in the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. Sen. Angus King is also seeking re-election this year. King has long been part of bipartisan groups of lawmakers who negotiated agreements on crucial issues, such as a COVID relief package and an infrastructure funding bill in 2021. Such a proven willingness to work through issues with senators with differing political views will remain essential in a closely divided Senate, no matter which party controls the chamber after November’s election.
King’s challengers — Republican Demi Kouzounas, Democrat David Costello and independent Jason Cherry — offer a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. But, with a lack of experience in elected office, none of them can match King’s record of working with others, no matter their party affiliation, to craft and pass needed legislation.
Voters in Maine and across the country face the stark choice between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris for president. To us, the choice is clear. Harris, as both a politician and longtime prosecutor, has demonstrated a respect for the norms of our government. Trump, many members of his past administration have warned, is motivated by self-interest and revenge, and has a record of working to undermine the cornerstones of our democracy. He has also sunk to inexcusable low levels in his outrageous lies and demeaning and divisive rhetoric.
We certainly don’t agree with all of Harris’ proposed policies and wish she had been open to more scrutiny much earlier in her campaign. But she and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are smart and tough leaders, who are also compassionate, reasonable and competent.
These are our recommendations to Maine voters. No matter your preferences, make sure to vote on Tuesday.
