
By Lauren McCauley| Editor
“This isn’t the result we were hoping for, and I’m disappointed that we came short.” - Matt Dunlap, bowing out of the 2nd Congressional District race after the secretary of state’s office announced it would proceed with a ranked choice runoff.

Maine’s 2026 November ballot lists the candidates for the 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Matt Dunlap and Republican Paul LePage, along with space for a write-in candidate. (Photo by Kaitlyn Budion/Maine Morning Star)
ELECTION 2026
By Kaitlyn Budion
Democrat Matt Dunlap on Thursday conceded in the race, but a spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s Office said state law requires the office to still run the ranked choice tabulation for the election.
GOVERNMENT
By Kaitlyn Budion
After Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a temporary statewide data center moratorium earlier this year, voters in several Maine towns approved local ordinances this week.
GOVERNMENT
By Emma Davis
The bolstered Democratic majority of the Maine House of Representatives re-selected Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford to serve as speaker on Thursday.
HOUSING
By Emma Davis
While mobile home residents often own their physical homes, they have to rent the underlying land, leaving them vulnerable to skyrocketing monthly lot rents, especially when corporate or out-of-state investors buy parks.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Trans sports bans get voter approval in 4 states | Robbie Sequiera, Stateline
Still focused on D.C. projects, Trump signs order preserving Oval Office | Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
Trump’s gerrymandering push flops as Democrats win redrawn seats | Jonathan Shorman, States Newsroom
Thanks for reading Top of the Morning. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.