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Ed Crockett represents District 112 in the Maine House of Representatives, where he serves on the Taxation and Education and Cultural Affairs Committees. He is an independent candidate for governor.
As I enter my eighth and final year in the Maine House, I’d like to share my experience in the Legislature and what’s driving me to run for governor in 2026.
Serving my constituents and collaborating with colleagues in Augusta has been a tremendous honor. That said, it has been a tumultuous ride. Things began calmly enough, but since the pandemic, not so much.
I get asked this question, a lot: “What’s going on in the Legislature?” Unfortunately, that question usually comes with deep concern.
When I was first elected in 2018, I brought with me decades of experience in the private sector. I knew I had a lot to learn about government and how to be an effective legislator. My approach to this opportunity was as a student — observe, listen, and learn the process. I was able to pass a few bills into law, no small feat for a freshman legislator.
Looking back, that first term was the closest we got to “normal.” Bipartisanship was real. I sat beside a Republican colleagues with whom I rarely agreed, but we built a foundation of mutual respect. Those relationships made a difference, and we passed the budget without delay. Then COVID hit in March of 2020, and everything changed. We adjourned early and left work unfinished.
By the time the 130th Legislature convened, we were in the thick of the pandemic. We couldn’t meet in person at the State House. Debates over masking split the chamber along party lines.
When we did meet, we were separated. From my perspective, that physical and political divide meant bipartisanship was lost. On the Education Committee, where I served, we never met in person. Every meeting was held on Zoom, where informal collaboration was impossible.
Given the challenges, we opted for a majority budget to keep services running — a decision most of us supported under the circumstances. The governor helped guide us through those two chaotic years, and while new legislation was limited, Maine emerged in better shape than many other states.
Come January 2023 and the 131st Legislature, we were back in person, but masks and division remained. Democrats, holding majorities across the board, again chose to pass a majority budget. This time I had reservations, and it proved to be extremely divisive and, I believe, a dereliction of duty. To me, a majority budget lessens the Legislature’s negotiating position, handing most of the power to the chief executive, and effectively rendering the bipartisan work done in committees pointless. Over 250 good bills died when we adjourned.
This scenario repeated itself again this year. After seeing what transpired in the 131st, I wanted to return to the traditional two-thirds budget. Instead of trusting and working with all our colleagues to put the full Legislature’s priorities first, a majority budget got voted in again. I was the only Democrat in the Maine House who voted no.
Once more, only partisan legislation got considered, it seems. Hundreds of good bills either died or were carried over when the session ended. Predictably, controversial bills like paid family medical leave were pushed through and policies around transgender athletes were rejected along party lines, with little openness for amendments or discussion. Frankly, I think it has been leadership’s operational inefficiency and disregard of the legislative process, not the chief executive, that’s created the contentious atmosphere in and around the State House.
So, what’s wrong with our state Legislature? Alas, I believe the Maine Legislature has become a toxically partisan place with little hope for compromise. Party politics have hardened into machines, even here in Maine. And if you don’t toe the line, you’re pushed aside or pressured to conform.
We can do better. We must elect leaders who are accountable to the people — not to a party.
I don’t believe in pointing out problems without also offering a path forward. I’ve worked in both business and public service. I understand what matters to Mainers and how to get results. If we want real change, we need leaders willing to work across the aisle, to listen, and to act with courage, not pander to party or well-heeled PACs.
With that in mind, I’m running for governor in 2026 as an independent. I look forward to expanding this conversation in the months ahead.
