Rachel Ohm
@rachelohm.bsky.social
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Journalist at the Portland Press Herald covering state government and politics.
Very big
#MEpolitics
news.
www.pressherald.com/2025/11/05/j...
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Jared Golden says he won’t seek reelection in 2026
The Lewiston Democrat, who is in his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, announced his decision in an op-ed Wednesday.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/11/05/jared-golden-says-he-wont-seek-reelection-in-2026/
5 months ago
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Planning to vote tomorrow? Here's a review of the two referendums Maine will be considering for voter ID and changes to absentee voting, and a red flag law.
www.pressherald.com/2025/10/31/5...
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5 things Maine residents should know about the referendums on Tuesday’s ballot
Here's a recap of the proposals to require photo ID and make changes to absentee voting, and to put in place a red flag law.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/10/31/5-things-maine-residents-should-know-about-the-referendums-on-tuesdays-ballot/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Portland Press Herald
5 months ago
Susan Collins says Tuesday’s election may be key to ending shutdown
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Susan Collins says Tuesday’s election may be key to ending shutdown
Maine's senior senator says she hopes a public commitment from the Republican majority leader to hold a vote on health care subsidies will be enough for Democrats to reopen the federal government.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/11/03/susan-collins-says-tuesdays-election-may-be-key-to-ending-shutdown/?utm_source=bsky.app&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=BlueSky
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Maine joins 24 states suing Trump administration over expected lapse in SNAP benefits.
www.pressherald.com/2025/10/28/m...
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Maine joins 24 states suing Trump administration over expected lapse in SNAP benefits
The federal food assistance benefits are expected to be suspended starting Nov. 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/10/28/maine-joins-24-states-suing-trump-administration-over-expected-lapse-in-snap-benefits/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Portland Press Herald
5 months ago
Nirav Shah enters race to become Maine’s next governor
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Nirav Shah enters race to become Maine’s next governor
In addition to serving as director of the Maine CDC, Shah, a Democrat, was a top federal health official in the Biden administration and is now a visiting professor at Colby College.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/10/20/nirav-shah-enters-race-to-become-maines-next-governor/?utm_source=bsky.app&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=BlueSky
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Gov. Janet Mills enters the Maine Senate race to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, shaking up the Democratic primary and pledging to take on Trump. Story via
@randybillings.bsky.social
.
www.pressherald.com/2025/10/14/g...
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Janet Mills looks to challenge Susan Collins in an effort to flip U.S. Senate
The two-term Democratic governor will have to fend off primary challenges from several others, including Graham Platner, a 41-year-old veteran and oyster farmer whose campaign has garnered attention.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/10/14/gov-janet-mills-enters-u-s-senate-race-to-fight-the-good-fight/
6 months ago
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Hundreds of new Maine laws take effect Wednesday. Here are a few to know.
www.pressherald.com/2025/09/23/h...
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Hundreds of new Maine laws take effect Wednesday. Here are a few to know.
The laws include protections against online harassment of children, changes to labeling requirements for abortion medication and legislation that would make it easier for residents to purchase their m...
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/09/23/hundreds-of-new-maine-laws-take-effect-wednesday-here-are-a-few-to-know/
6 months ago
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Joe Lawlor
7 months ago
"I see no basis for her firing," Collins said of the removal of CDC director Susan Monarez
@pressherald.com
reporter
@rachelohm.bsky.social
on scene at Collins event in Old Orchard Beach
#mepolitics
www.pressherald.com/2025/08/28/s...
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Susan Collins ‘extremely alarmed’ at Trump administration firing of CDC director
Maine's senior senator reacted Thursday to the firing of U.S. CDC Director Susan Monarez, who was let go by the administration this week following a reported clash with Health Secretary Robert F. Kenn...
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/08/28/susan-collins-extremely-alarmed-at-trump-administration-firing-of-cdc-director/
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Portland Press Herald
7 months ago
Maine’s former CDC director Dr. Nirav Shah is considering a run for governor. “I think we are in a moment where all of us should be considering running for something,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Press Herald on Friday. “I’m considering throwing my hat into the governor’s race.”
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Dr. Nirav Shah says he’s considering run for Maine governor
Shah was the face of Maine’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and went on to become a top federal health official during the Biden administration.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/08/15/dr-nirav-shah-says-hes-considering-run-for-maine-governor/
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Some Democratic-led states are looking at changing congressional maps in response to efforts in Texas to redraw lines to favor Republicans in the 2026 elections. But experts and Democratic leaders say that's unlikely to happen in Maine.
www.pressherald.com/2025/08/05/w...
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Will the battle over congressional redistricting come to Maine?
Democratic leaders in some states are considering changes to congressional maps in response to an effort in Texas, but such changes are unlikely to unfold here.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/08/05/will-the-battle-over-congressional-redistricting-come-to-maine/
8 months ago
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Portland Press Herald
9 months ago
New data released Monday show Maine is experiencing a drop in the number of people experiencing homelessness for the third year in a row.
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What’s behind the drop in Maine’s homelessness numbers?
New data shows the number of people experiencing homelessness in Maine dropped for the third straight year this year, a decline that is largely attributed to the state moving away from using motels as...
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/07/14/whats-behind-the-drop-in-maines-homelessness-numbers/?utm_source=bsky.app&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=BlueSky
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“This is the second time we’ve brought kit tracking bills to the Legislature. … It’s really an issue of survivors being able to understand what’s happened with their evidence, and Maine has already fallen behind without a system in place.”
www.pressherald.com/2025/07/10/m...
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Maine again fails to establish a statewide system to track rape kits
Two bills to create a tracking system received support in the Legislature but weren't funded. A similar bill also failed to make it into law last year.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/07/10/maine-fails-to-establish-a-statewide-system-to-track-rape-kits-for-the-second-time/
9 months ago
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Portland Press Herald
10 months ago
Polling places across Maine are open til 8 p.m. to allow voters to weigh in on school budget proposals and, in many communities, elect local officials. Maine allows same-day voter registration.
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Maine voters head to polls to vote on school budgets, local races
Turnout is likely to be relatively light for the off-year election, but controversial proposals could drive higher turnout in some communities.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/06/10/maine-voters-head-to-polls-to-vote-on-school-budgets-local-races/?utm_source=bsky.app&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=BlueSky
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Today: Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law LD1, a bill to protect Maine against climate change-driven storms.
www.pressherald.com/2025/04/22/m...
11 months ago
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The Trump administration gave Maine 10 days to sign an agreement ending the policy of allowing transgender athletes in girls' sports. MPA & Greely HS say they won't sign. No word yet from Maine DOE.
www.pressherald.com/2025/03/27/m...
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Maine officials refuse to sign Trump agreement on transgender athletes
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said earlier this month that it would give state and local officials in Maine 10 days to sign a proposed agreement banning transgender athletes or the ...
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/27/maine-officials-refuse-to-sign-trump-administrations-proposed-agreement-on-transgender-athletes/
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Joe Lawlor
about 1 year ago
BREAKING NEWS
#mepolitics
@maddow.msnbc.com
@nbcnews.com
@randybillings.bsky.social
@rachelohm.bsky.social
@chelliepingree.bsky.social
www.pressherald.com/2025/03/06/s...
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Social Security now requires Maine parents to visit an agency office to register newborns
The change - immediately criticized by pediatric health advocates - eliminates a program that allowed parents to fill out a form at the hospital to secure a Social Security number for their children.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/06/social-security-starts-requiring-maine-parents-to-visit-an-agency-office-to-register-newborns/
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Portland Press Herald
about 1 year ago
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday threatened to sue Gov. Janet Mills if she refuses to comply with President Trump’s legally questionable executive order over transgender student-athletes. The administration has now launched 3 investigations into whether Maine is violating the Title IX law.
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US Attorney General threatens Gov. Mills with lawsuit over transgender athletes
'Maine should be on notice,' Pam Bondi said in a letter to the Maine governor over compliance with President Donald Trump's executive order on transgender students competing in school sports.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/26/us-attorney-general-threatens-gov-mills-with-lawsuit-over-transgender-athletes/?utm_source=bsky.app&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=BlueSky
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Randy Billings
about 1 year ago
After being censured in a party-line vote, Libby refused to issue a formal apology, so the Republican lawmaker from Auburn will not be allowed to speak or cast votes on the House floor until she does,
@rachelohm.bsky.social
reports.
www.pressherald.com/2025/02/25/m...
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Maine lawmaker censured for posting photos of student she identified as transgender
The House votes 75-70 along party lines to censure Republican Rep. Laurel Libby for singling out a student who won a track championship to protest Maine's policy allowing transgender athletes to parti...
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/25/maine-house-censures-lawmaker-for-posting-photos-of-student-she-identified-as-transgender/
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Portland Press Herald
about 1 year ago
A federal judge has granted a request from gun rights groups to temporarily pause a new three-day waiting period on firearm purchases.
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Federal judge pauses Maine’s new waiting period for gun sales
Lawmakers passed the new waiting period as part of a slate of gun safety reforms following the October 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston that killed 18 people.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/13/federal-judge-pauses-maines-new-waiting-period-for-gun-sales/?utm_source=bsky.app&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=BlueSky
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@emduggan.bsky.social
is at the State House today covering the protest against President Trump’s first weeks in office. Updates
@pressherald.bsky.social
⬇️
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Portland Press Herald
about 1 year ago
Collins was one of two Republicans, along with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, to vote against Pete Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News commentator, in a procedural vote on Thursday.
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Why Susan Collins said ‘No’ to Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
Collins was one of two Republican senators to break ranks and oppose Hegseth Thursday, but it didn't stop the nomination from moving forward.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/01/23/why-susan-collins-said-no-to-pete-hegseth-as-defense-secretary/?utm_source=bsky.app&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=BlueSky
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Joe Lawlor
about 1 year ago
BREAKING: Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announces she will vote against Hegseth nomination. Check
@pressherald.bsky.social
for updates
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Supporters of a red flag law in Maine handed in over 80,000 signatures today to force a November referendum. "ERPO's provide a life-saving tool," said the head of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition.
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/23/g...
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Gun safety advocates turn in signatures to force fall referendum on red flag law
The Maine Gun Safety Coalition announced at a press conference Thursday morning that it is submitting signatures to put the measure on the ballot this November.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/01/23/gun-safety-coalition-to-give-update-on-red-flag-referendum-effort/
about 1 year ago
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Republicans have a proposal to repeal Maine's 72-hour waiting period on firearms purchases, put in place last spring in the aftermath of the Lewiston mass shooting. The law passed on thin margins, and the bill's sponsor says he hopes to pull Democratic support.
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/16/r...
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Republican proposal would repeal 72-hour wait on firearms purchases
House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham is sponsoring a bill that would repeal the waiting period approved by lawmakers last year.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/01/16/republican-proposal-would-repeal-72-hour-wait-on-firearms-purchases/
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Joe Lawlor
about 1 year ago
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/08/g...
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Gov. Mills proposes the creation of a Maine department of energy
The proposal would elevate the Governor's Energy Office to a Cabinet-level department if approved by lawmakers as part of the budget.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/01/08/gov-mills-proposes-new-state-department-of-energy/
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Today is the first day of the new Maine Legislature. Here are a few things to watch as the session gets started:
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/06/7...
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7 things to expect from Maine’s new Legislature
Democrats will maintain majorities in the House and Senate when lawmakers return Wednesday.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/01/06/7-things-to-expect-from-maines-new-legislature/
about 1 year ago
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Remembering Jimmy Carter: I spoke with Mainers last fall who recalled Carter's visits here ahead of his 100th birthday.
www.pressherald.com/2024/10/01/m...
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Mainers look back at Jimmy Carter’s visits, impacts as the former president turns 100
The 39th president of the United States made several stops in Maine on the campaign trail, and even spent the night in the home of a Bangor family on one occasion.
https://www.pressherald.com/2024/10/01/mainers-look-back-at-jimmy-carters-visits-impacts-as-the-former-president-turns-100/
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Joe Lawlor
over 1 year ago
www.pressherald.com/2024/11/21/a...
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Planned Parenthood says requests for birth control spiked in Maine after Trump election
Planned Parenthood of Northern New England said appointment requests for long-acting contraceptives like IUDs nearly doubled in the week after the Nov. 5 election.
https://www.pressherald.com/2024/11/21/after-trumps-election-planned-parenthood-of-northern-new-england-reports-spike-in-requests-for-contraceptives/
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Randy Billings
over 1 year ago
All of the incoming Democratic leaders represent towns within 26 miles of Portland, one of the few progressive strongholds in Maine. It's the first time in nearly 20 years Democrats have not had a leader from the northern, more conservative part of the state.
www.pressherald.com/2024/11/19/s...
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Democrats turn to southern Maine for legislative leadership
All 6 of the party's leaders in the 132nd Legislature represent communities within 26 miles of Portland, opening Democrats to criticism from Republicans for not representing the whole state.
https://www.pressherald.com/2024/11/19/southern-maine-lawmakers-snag-democratic-leadership-posts-in-legislature/
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Portland Press Herald
over 1 year ago
Democrat Jared Golden was declared the winner in Maine's 2nd Congressional District after ranked choice tabulation Friday determined the three-term Democrat won one of the costliest contests in the country.
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Golden declared winner in Maine’s hard-fought 2nd Congressional District race
Ranked-choice tabulation Friday determined the three-term Democrat won one of the costliest contests in the country.
https://www.pressherald.com/2024/11/15/golden-declared-winner-in-maines-hard-fought-2nd-congressional-district-race/
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reposted by
Rachel Ohm
Portland Press Herald
over 1 year ago
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said she doesn’t support pushing through any of President-elect Donald Trump’s appointees without having full congressional hearings and background checks.
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Sen. Collins wants full confirmation process for Trump appointees
In a 15-minute interview with the Press Herald, Maine's senior senator also talked about some of incoming Pres. Donald Trump's early moves and policy goals.
https://www.pressherald.com/2024/11/15/sen-collins-wants-full-confirmation-process-for-trump-appointees/
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