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| 📷 This combination of file photos shows former Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine's 2nd District in 2017, left, and Democratic Rep. Jared Golden in 2018, right. Independent Tiffany Bond is also running in the November election. (AP photos by Robert F. Bukaty) |
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💸 Outside spending is high but lower than many expected in Maine's swing congressional race.
◉ The race in Maine's 2nd District has drawn nearly $5.5 million in outside spending to date, according to tallies from the Center for Responsive Politics. It ranked 22nd on the list of House races by that measure, corresponding with its position on the national map as one of around 30 toss-up districts.
◉ That means spending is relatively high but far below what was expected by some coming in. An August analysis from AdImpact, a respected ad monitoring firm used by candidates across the spectrum projected $127 million in spending on ads alone in Maine's 2022 election. It is on track to be a huge overestimate.
◉ Outside spending has tilted against Rep. Jared Golden, the two-term Democratic incumbent, with nearly $3.2 million spent against him to almost $2.3 million against former Rep. Bruce Poliquin. Golden has led in public polls taken since the spring, but many on both sides expect the race to tighten.
❓Mills has not responded to the president's call for states to pardon marijuana offenses.
◉ President Joe Biden moved Thursday to pardon all Americans convicted on federal charges of simple marijuana possession. He also called on states to follow suit.
◉ Maine has long had liberal laws on marijuana, becoming the third state to decriminalize possession of small amounts for personal use in 1976. Voters here also backed medical marijuana in 1999, a dispensary system in 2010 and the adult-use system now in effect in a narrow 2016 referendum.
◉ That makes the legal environment here far different than it is in other parts of the country, but there are still plenty of Mainers who have civil violations on their records for possession and NORML counts 268 arrests here for possession and sales in 2020.
◉ Spokespeople for Mills did not respond to a Thursday request for comment on what she would consider here. |
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What we're reading
🔍 Maine lawmakers are watching the trial of a mother accused of killing her 3-year-old son closely while eyeing another round of child welfare reforms.
🚜 The two construction executives killed in an Arundel plane crash this week were remembered as family men who loved their industry.
⛺ Housing affordability and homelessness are the dominant topics in Bangor City Council races this year.
💳 Maine's university system has paid $3 million to consultants since 2010 and are coming under scrutiny for their reliance on them for hiring.
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