For more than two decades, Republican-led referendums — from voter ID to attempts to restrict abortion rights — have largely failed, while progressive initiatives have repeatedly passed at both the state and local levels. Read why below. ⬇️ Column by @strim.bsky.social.

Gov. Janet Mills is losing support inside her own party, @strim.bsky.social writes. Democrats’ approval of her has fallen over 20 points since June, as folks are unhappy with ICE raids in Maine and her resistance to tougher gun laws after Lewiston. Click below to read Ethan's full column!

From defeating the voter suppression initiative to passing gun safety reform and raising Portland’s minimum wage, @strim.bsky.social says this election proves Mainers want bold, progressive action — and leaders who aren’t afraid to deliver it. Click the link below to read his full column!

This November’s ballot could shape Maine’s future on voting rights, gun safety, wages, and protection from toxic chemicals. Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social breaks down why he says No on 1, Yes on 2, Yes on A, and No on the pesticide repeal. Click below to read his full piece!

Apparently, #janetmills watches ITA. You should too! Go to wmtw.com/inthearena to see the full podcast. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mepolitics

Ep 61 of wmtw.com/inthearena is up where our analysts deep dive on #JanetMills entry into the US Senate race against #SusanCollins, and what this means for @grahamformaine.bsky.social and @jordanwood.bsky.social. W/ @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mepolitics

A landlord-funded study meant to discredit Portland’s rent control ended up proving it works — showing tenants are saving about $500 a month, Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social writes. Read his full piece below!

Is Sen. Susan Collins using her power as Chair of Appropriations to resolve the budget crisis? Get the full episode of In The Arena at WMTW.com/inthearena.com @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mainepolitics

New episode of ITA is up. Find it at WMTW.com/inthearena Charlie Kirk, @jimmykimmel.com @grahamformaine.bsky.social Janet Mills, Susan Collins all on the agenda where we play “Fishy or Fragrant” @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

Earlier this summer, Pres. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to tell Republicans to “vote the opposite of Susan Collins” in a hidden attempt to make her appear to be moderate. The truth? Collins has voted with Trump 96% of the time. Click the link below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!

Opinion writer Ethan Strimling pays tribute to the late Bill Diamond, who served Maine for 40 years between the House, Senate, and as Sec. of State. Despite their differences, Ethan remembers Diamond as a mentor, friend, and leader who was "more progressive than he let on." Read the full story:

Maine’s Clean Elections system gives candidates millions in public funding—freeing them from wealthy donors & giving them more time to meet voters. While most current governor candidates are chasing private money, @strim.bsky.social argues running clean isn’t just ethical, it’s a winning strategy.

In The Arena is back! Ep. 55 dropped. We deep dive on the Collins race, do a lightning round catching up on recent news, and pay tribute to Bill Diamond. go to wmtw.com/inthearena for full episode. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @terrystackhouse.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

WMTW clocks Susan Collins on RFK Jr.: “Does that ring hollow when she complains about his actions when in fact she voted to support him and confirm him?” #mesen #mepolitics

Please read this full thread and join in urging Congress to stop the removal of hundreds of unaccompanied Guatemalan children from the U.S.

Opinion Columnist Ethan Strimling calls out Portland’s City Council for secretly accepting federal airport funds tied to ICE compliance, calling the move “unfortunate” compared to Lincoln County’s open rejection of similar money. Click below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!

I think I looked fabulous that day. And yes, a Red Flag law likely would have prevented the massacre in Lewiston. Vote yes on Q2.

In his latest column, @strim.bsky.social urges Mainers to vote "No" to Question 1 on the November ballot, as it's a GOP-backed proposal that would roll back absentee voting, restrict drop boxes, eliminate prepaid postage, and add a strict photo ID requirement. Click below to read his full piece!

Portland’s City Council could give voters a chance to raise the minimum wage to $20/hour by 2029. Over 11,000 low-wage workers could see a real difference in their lives — but only if the council sends the proposal to the ballot, writes columnist @strim.bsky.social.

Maine’s yellow flag law is “cumbersome, inefficient,” and failed to prevent the Lewiston shooting, writes @strim.bsky.social. Passing Question 2 would let families act quickly to remove guns from someone who poses a threat, potentially saving lives. Read Ethan's full column below.

I gave my party an F for taxing the wrong people (the poor and middle class, instead of the rich) in order to raise the revenue needed to ensure Mainers have health care and get a good education.

Professors Harriman & Strimling issue report cards for the 132nd Maine Legislature on Ep. 54 of In The Arena. They also note when their own parties earned an F. Full episode here: youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4 and wherever you listen to podcasts. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social

Ep 54 of In The Arena is here: youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4 @strim.bsky.social & Phil Harriman offer grades to the 132nd Maine Legislature, and award at least one "A" to the "other side." @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social

In this year’s legislative session, no issue drew more fire than attacks on trans rights. @strim.bsky.social argues the efforts to roll back trans people’s rights weren’t just ideological — they were targeted efforts to strip away economic protections from some of Maine’s most vulnerable residents.

Ep 54 is up where @strim.bsky.social and Phil grade the legislature. Toward the end, @patcallaghan6.bsky.social asked each to find their better angels and give the opposing party an A for something. Here is a tease. Go to www.wmtw.com/inthearena for the full episode. @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

Ep. 53 of In The Arena is here: youtu.be/9wcV-jhrOQQ @strim.bsky.social & Phil Harriman dig into the messages behind municipal election results, and the frenzy of activity in Augusta as lawmakers scramble to finish their work for the session. @wmtw.bsky.social @inthearenamaine.bsky.social

Rent control only works if it’s enforced, Opinions Columnist @strim.bsky.social writes. In Portland, over 60% of rental listings are violating the law — and not a single landlord has been fined.

Tuesday's municipal elections across Maine brought some interesting results. In the soon-to-drop Ep. 53 of In The Arena, @strim.bsky.social & Phil Harriman ponder what messages are being sent by voters. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social

Opinions Columnist @strim.bsky.social says lawmakers still have time to fix a major driver of income inequality in Maine: the $1.6B in COLA cuts to state retirees since 2011. His message: pass LD 900 and fund it by raising taxes on the wealthy.

Ep. 52 of In The Arena is coming shortly. Lots to talk about this week, including the '26 gubernatorial race, minimum wage rules for farm workers, and the county fair kerfuffle. Phil Harriman & @strim.bsky.social sort it out! @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social

It was 60 years ago this week that a recently crowned champion came to Lewiston to retain his heavyweight crown. This week, in our WABAC machine, @patcallaghan6.bsky.social reflects on that iconic moment. Full podcast at wmtw.com/inthearena @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

Can the Senate make the "Big Beautiful Bill" better for Maine and the nation? Phil Harriman & @strim.bsky.social tackle that in Ep. 51 of In The Arena. Also- honoring Ali in Lewiston. Full episode here: youtu.be/qRimDK36iTc @wmtw.bsky.social @inthearenamaine.bsky.social

Trump’s proposed budget is a direct hit on working-class Mainers, Opinions Columnist @strim.bsky.social says. It slashes $1.1 trillion from Medicaid, food assistance, and health subsidies, while handing the exact amount to America’s wealthiest. In Maine, that means 50,000 people could lose coverage.

As the Senate takes up the House budget bill, some Republicans, such as our Phil Harriman, say this is not the direction Trump voters wanted. We'll dive in on Ep. 51 of In The Arena, dropping soon. @strim.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social @inthearenamaine.bsky.social

This week's ITA focuses on the emerging governor's race and all of those who have jumped in & those who are thinking about putting a toe in the water. Full episode wherever you get your podcasts. Just type "In The Arena Maine" @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

As Trump's anti-immigrant crackdown spreads within Maine (resulting in the unexplained arrests of dozens of workers across the state), two important bills in Augusta could help stop Maine law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration raids, Opinion Columnist @strim.bsky.social writes.

On the latest In The Arena, our lightning round focuses on a lawsuit to ballot language, GOP AG's backing Libby, & potential cuts to health care subsidies. Go to wmtw.com/inthearena for full episode. Meantime, enjoy this clip. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

This week, ITA takes a deep dive into the trans rights debate. Phil and @strim.bsky.social put their legislative hats on and try to see if they can find common ground. Plus, a lightning round of all the latest hot topics. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social youtu.be/OT8DLKdaAok

Ep. 49 of In The Arena drops soon. As Maine lawmakers consider bills on transgender rights, our former legislators Phil Harriman & @strim.bsky.social look at the challenges of finding common ground on such emotional issues. @wmtw.bsky.social @inthearenamaine.bsky.social

Paul LePage is back (again), and Democrats should be thrilled, Opinions columnist @strim.bsky.social writes. LePage’s record and style — unpopular then, even more toxic now — are a perfect reminder of what Mainers have already rejected.

Ep. 48 is up. We talk about the recent deportations and their impact on Maine, but also the possible cuts to AmeriCorps and PBS, as seen in this clip. For the full episode, go to wmtw.com/inthearena @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

Ep. 48 of In The Arena is here: youtu.be/evJJOFaS-8w Phil & @strim.bsky.social tackle the return of Paul LePage, another Angus King running for office, federal cuts to Maine programs and more. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social Here's a preview:

Opinions columnist @strim.bsky.social argues that if Maine wants affordable housing, we must protect the affordable housing we already have. He notes a growing concern: corporate investors buying up mobile home parks and sharply increasing rents and fees.

Ep 47, where we analyze President 47, is up! From the economy, to immigration, to federal cuts, we look at the impact Pres. Trump's first 100 days have had on Maine. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social @terrystackhouse.bsky.social storystudio.wmtw.com/inthearena/

In The Arena is back from Spring break! In Ep. 47, Phil Harriman & @strim.bsky.social look at how Maine has fared during President Trump's 1st 100 days. We also dig into the latest poll numbers and what they mean for figures such as Sen. Susan Collins. youtu.be/ICWarMB_hAc @wmtw.bsky.social

Maine politicians who don’t stand up to Trump are losing support, Opinions columnist @strim.bsky.social writes, pointing to new polling that shows sinking favorability for Collins and Golden as they continue to align with Trump.

Portland’s $15.50 minimum wage leaves full-time workers with just $52 after the average rent. A plan to raise it to $20 by 2029 would still fall short of a living wage, but it's a meaningful step toward economic fairness, says Opinions columnist @strim.bsky.social.

Opinion: Sen. Susan Collins built her brand on bringing federal money to Maine — but her recent vote to empower Trump’s budget cuts has wiped out funding she promised to dozens of Maine communities, writes @strim.bsky.social. As Appropriations Chair, her silence may soon be her undoing.

“[Governor Janet Mills has] entered a lot of battles, and if you go at her, she will not back down. She’s going to go toe-to-toe. She’s always been like that.” - @strim.bsky.social, former mayor of Portland