By Lauren McCauley | Editor
“His stance against abortion rights, even in the case of rape, despite his knowledge of what I, his younger sister, experienced, would have gone against my health and well-being in ways that are truly morally reprehensible.” - Anita Charles, on brother, Republican Bobby Charles’, gubernatorial bid.
Bobby Charles at a Portland press conference on Sept. 9, 2026 in response to his sister’s public criticisms. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/Maine Morning Star)
ELECTION 2026
By Eesha Pendharkar
Drawing on her own experience of being sexually abused as a child, Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles’ sister, Anita Charles, criticized his record on abortion at a Wednesday press conference in Portland. She also publicly opposed his education policy, divisive rhetoric and alignment with President Donald Trump, listing all of them as reasons she supports his opponent, Democrat Hannah Pingree.
COMMENTARY
By Lauren McCauley
As she seeks re-election, Susan Collins is arguing that her presence in the U.S. Senate protects her constituents from a regime that she supports 95% of the time and when Mainers head to the polls in November, they are largely voting on whether her seniority and the privileges and protections it affords the state is worth the cost to the rest of the nation.
ELECTION 2026
By Emma Davis
Paul LePage spokesperson Brent Littlefield said the campaign issued a memo to “organizations and news outlets requesting debates” months ago. “We are evaluating and will announce our schedule,” Littlefield said, not specifying when but confirming that the Republican will debate.
ELECTION 2026
By Eesha Pendharkar
Her campaign has reserved $1.8 million to buy eight weeks of broadcast television and cable advertising before the Nov. 3 election. That’s more than the combined total raised by her two opponents, according to the latest available campaign finance data published in late July.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
At midterm convention, Trump pledges cash to voters if Republicans hold Congress | Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
Trump plan would bar millions of Americans from voting by mail, states tell Supreme Court | Jacob Fischler, States Newsroom
Salvadorans await word on protected status as midnight deadline approaches | Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
Pappas and Sununu prevail in NH primaries, setting up expensive fight for U.S. Senate | Ethan DeWitt and Maya Mitchell, New Hampshire Bulletin
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