Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, walks toward the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, the day lawmakers returned to Washington. WASHINGTON — Two senators are preparing an amendment to challenge President Donald Trump’s announced ban on transgender troops serving in the military that they hope to attach to a sweeping defense bill the […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Ken Fredette announces he is running for governor
House Minority leader Ken Fredette, a Republican, announced he is running for governor in 2018. PORTLAND (AP) — Ken Fredette, a Republican and longtime ally of Maine Gov. Paul LePage, is joining the state governor’s race. The Portland Press Herald reports the 53-year-old announced his run Wednesday morning at his law offices. Fredette is barred from […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage appoints former energy executive to administration
AUGUSTA (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage says he has hired a former energy executive as his new energy chief. LePage said Tuesday that former Downeast Energy Corp. Chief Financial Officer Steven McGrath began his tenure as director of the governor’s energy office in late August. The governor said McGrath for the past four years […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Trump administration announces end of immigration protection program for 'dreamers'
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Tuesday it would begin to unwind an Obama-era program that allows younger undocumented immigrants to live in the country without fear of deportation, calling the program unconstitutional but offering a partial delay to give Congress a chance to address the issue. The decision, after weeks of intense deliberation between […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Holbrook says he looked at running for U.S. Senate but will stay in U.S. House race
Republican Mark Holbrook, who has his eye on the 1st District congressional seat, said Tuesday he considered running for U.S. Senate instead. Holbrook, a Brunswick physician who lost a 2016 bid to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, said he’ll seek a rematch with her instead of taking on “the biggest fraud in American politics,” […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Garrett Mason postpones campaign launch to mourn passing of his mother
Wednesday was all set to be a memorable day for Sen. Garrett Mason, who planned to announce his intention to run for governor. Instead, the 32-year-old Lisbon Falls lawmaker is dealing with the sudden death of his mother, Gina Mason, who serves in the state House. “It is with great sadness that I inform you […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
John Jenkins eyeing possible gubernatorial race
John Jenkins is a former mayor of Lewiston and Auburn, an ex-state senator, a motivational speaker, a teacher and a member of the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Now he’s eyeing the state’s top job. Jenkins said Friday he’s preparing to run for governor as an independent “provided that things fall in place,” mostly […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
GOP leaders accuse James Comey of planning to clear Clinton before interviewing her
Top Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee are alleging former FBI director James Comey planned to exonerate Hillary Clinton for conducting official business on a private email server long before the agency had completed its investigation. Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., sent a letter Thursday to FBI director Christopher Wray, demanding documents […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers may tackle ranked-choice voting, pot bills in special session
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Democratic House speaker hopes lawmakers will tackle ranked choice voting and marijuana legalization bills when they return for a special session this fall. Maine Gov. Paul LePage told lawmakers Wednesday he’s calling them back to Augusta over problems with a law taking effect Nov.1 allowing local regulation of food. Speaker Sara […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bruce Poliquin seeks headstones for veterans' families interred in tribal cemetery
When family members of a veteran are buried in national and state veterans cemeteries, the federal government pays for headstones to mark their resting place. But the law doesn’t extend to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians’ new Tribal Veterans Cemetery in Aroostook County. That’s something that U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a Republican whose 2nd […]