Pine State Politics: In Session Podcast

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and businessman Angus King III outlines a problem‑solving agenda focused on making life more affordable in Maine—especially by building more housing, strengthening education and job training, and making it easier to start and grow small businesses. Drawing on his background in affordable housing and renewable energy, he emphasizes a practical, “get things done” approach that streamlines government, while balancing values and affordability.

In this interview, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree draws on her experience as Maine’s former Speaker of the House and as director of Governor Janet Mills’ Office of Policy Innovation to explain how she’s approached major statewide problems from both the legislative and executive branches. She uses that background to lay out a detailed, policy-driven agenda—centered on building more affordable housing, addressing healthcare access and costs, strengthening rural economic opportunity, and turning climate goals into measurable results for Maine communities.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Libby, a longtime state legislator and economics professor, lays out a platform centered on fiscal responsibility and “common-sense” governance, with a focus on lowering property-tax pressure, expanding housing supply, and reducing costs by reforming energy policy. He also emphasizes education and workforce preparation, especially planning for AI’s impact, while highlighting his decision to run as the race’s only Clean Elections candidate as a way to limit big-money influence and increase accountability.

Since the recording of this episode, Jim Libby has withdrawn from the Republican gubernatorial primary.

Former Maine CDC director Nirav Shah joins the show to discuss his run for governor and the crisis-management and communication approach that defined his leadership during COVID. He lays out a four-part agenda—“fix housing, fund health care, feed kids, and fuel growth”—focused on tackling Maine’s housing shortage, protecting access to healthcare amid federal cuts, strengthening supports for children and families, and expanding economic opportunity statewide.

In this interview, Republican gubernatorial candidate and entrepreneur Owen McCarthy lays out his “Maine 2040” agenda around three themes—opportunity, affordability, and discipline—arguing that Maine needs more housing supply, lower energy costs, and tighter control of state spending. Drawing on his tech and healthcare background, he also emphasizes practical education reforms, expanding career-and-technical training, and building an economy that lets young people stay in Maine for good jobs and attainable housing.

Independent gubernatorial candidate and state senator Rick Bennett explains why he left the Republican Party and his vision for a less partisan, more collaborative style of leadership in Maine. He lays out his main priorities—making housing more affordable, lowering energy costs, strengthening public education, and improving access to healthcare in rural Maine—while emphasizing practical, “what works” solutions borrowed from successful policies in other states.

Maine's current Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shenna Bellows discusses her bid for governor and outlines her “New Deal for Maine.” Bellows talks lowering everyday costs and expanding well-paying job opportunities, improving access to affordable healthcare, and moving faster on clean energy to address climate change to help people afford basic needs and build a secure future in the state.

Democratic candidate Troy Jackson—a fifth-generation logger and former Maine Senate president—lays out a working‑class agenda centered on economic security for Mainers. He focuses on lowering everyday costs and raising wages through stronger labor protections and unions, tackling healthcare costs, addressing the housing crisis, and improving childcare and education.

For our first episode, we sit down with veteran lobbyist and DC insider Peter Madigan, as well as Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. Our two guests take us through the process of how our government works, with a special emphasis on the difference between DC and Maine. (federal and state) structures.

In our second episode we sit down with current US Senator and former Governor of Maine Angus King, and his long-time campaign manager and chief of staff Kay Rand. Senator King and Kay provide their thoughts on the 1994 gubernatorial election and reflect on what it took to run their campaign.

In our third episode, we sit down with the former Deputy Campaign Manager for Pine Tree Power Lucy Hochschartner, and Bowdoin Professor Max Lykins. Lucy talks to us about the logistics behind referendums, ballot initiatives, and the petition process in Maine, while Professor Lykins walks us through the constitutional theory behind direct democracy and referendums.

For episode number four, we speak with Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap. Before becoming the State Auditor, Matt Dunlap served as Maine's Secretary of State for 14 years. During that time, he presided over the passing and implementation of Ranked Choice Voting, as Maine became the first state in the nation to use RCV state wide. In this episode, he tells us the story!

In our fifth episode we sit down with seasoned campaign professional and lobbyist Lauren LePage to talk all things campaign strategy. Lauren is the daughter of former Maine State Governor Paul LePage, and she explains campaign strategy through the lens of Governor LePage's 2010 and 2014 campaigns.

In episode six, we hear from former US Secretary of Defense, US Senator, and US Congressman Bill Cohen, alongside his old friend Professor Emeritus at Bowdoin College and expert on all things Maine politics, Chris Potholm. Chris Potholm served as campaign manager for Secretary Cohen's first. Together, they tell us the story of their successful 1972 congressional campaign.

In our seventh episode we sit down with Maine State Senator Cameron Reny. Senator Reny walks us through how to run a campaign using Clean Election Funds, a system that allows candidates for state office to publicly finance their campaigns. Fun Fact: Senator Reny was Natalie's middle school guidance counselor!

For our eight and final episode, we sit down with the Editor and Chief of the Maine Wire, Steve Robinson. Steve answers questions such as: "what do journalists consider newsworthy?" and "how do you report on different events?" Our conversation explores the journalist thinking and choices behind how the story of an election is told to the public.