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By Lauren McCauley | Editor

“MaineCare should be paying for healthcare, not healthcare that doesn’t happen, and that’s what’s happened.” - Maine House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, on the arrest of six people accused of submitting false claims for services that had not been performed.

Senate District 20, where Republican incumbent Bruce Bickford is being challenged by Democrat Michael Scott, has seen the most outside spending of any legislative race, with more than $392,000 spent by PACs so far this year. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

ELECTION 2026

Outside groups spending millions to oust state lawmakers up for reelection

By Kaitlyn Budion

With Maine’s entire state Legislature up for election in November, even incumbent lawmakers aren’t safe in their reelection bids. With outside groups — that don’t have to disclose their donors — increasing their involvement in state elections, the legislative districts with the most outside spending feature lawmakers up for reelection. 

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ELECTION 2026

Pingree and Russell hold steady in first and only CD1 debate

By Kaitlyn Budion

Compared to the fiery clashes in Maine’s other federal debates, the 1st District event was relatively even-keeled — an accurate representation of how the race has been outshined by other, more competitive, contests. 

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GOVERNMENT

After arrests, Republican leaders outline steps they want state to take to combat MaineCare fraud

By Lauren McCauley

During a Thursday press conference in Augusta, Maine Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart and House of Representatives Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham accused the state’s Democratic leadership of failing to investigate possible fraud in the state’s Medicaid program. 

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