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AUGUSTA — The fields for the June primaries are finally set.
After months of exploratory committees, candidate announcements and early policy rollouts, we now know which candidates qualified to make the ballot.
And while the primaries are a chance for the political parties to pick their fall nominees, it’s important to remember this time around, even unenrolled voters will be allowed to participate in the primary of their choosing.
The primary is June 9.
Here’s a look at the fields:
US SENATE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
In the highest profile race on the June ballot, three Democrats will compete for the nomination.
Gov. Janet Mills, combat veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner and David Costello, a former senior level government official, will be on the ballot.
Graham Platner, a combat veteran and oyster farmer, will be on the June ballot. (Spectrum News file photo)
US SENATE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Sen. Susan Collins will not face a primary opponent this cycle. She is seeking a sixth term in the upper chamber.
US HOUSE 1ST DISTRICT DEMOCRATS
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of North Haven, who is seeking a tenth term, faces no challengers in the Democratic primary. State Rep. Tiffany Roberts of South Berwick announced on social media on Sunday that she would not have the signatures to make the ballot.
US HOUSE 1st DISTRICT REPUBLICANS
Joshua Pietrowicz of New Gloucester and Ronald Russell of Kennebunkport will face off in the GOP primary.
US HOUSE 2ND DISTRICT DEMOCRATS
It’s a four-way primary for the state’s northern congressional district.
State Sen. Joe Baldacci of Bangor, State Auditor Matt Dunlap of Old Town, Paige Loud of Old Town and Jordan Wood of Auburn will compete in the race.
Gov. Janet Mills will compete against two others for the Democratic party nomination in the U.S. Senate race. (Spectrum News file photo)
US HOUSE 2ND DISTRICT REPUBLICANS
Former Gov. Paul LePage is the only Republican who will appear on the June primary ballot. James Clark of East Machias, who had previously announced a run, dropped out of the race on March 11, citing the need for party unity.
MAINE GOVERNOR’S RACE DEMOCRATS
After months of who’s in and who’s out, we now know which Democrats made the cut in a bid to succeed Gov. Janet Mills.
Shenna Bellows of Manchester, Troy Jackson of Allagash, Angus King III of Portland, Hannah Pingree of North Haven and Nirav Shah of Brunswick are all in the mix.
MAINE GOVERNOR’S RACE REPUBLICANS
With an open seat, Republicans are hoping it’s their turn for a stint in the Blaine House.
Jonathan Bush of Cape Elizabeth, Bobby Charles of Leeds, David Jones of Falmouth, state Sen. Jim Libby of Standish, Garrett Mason of Lisbon, Owen McCarthy of Gorham, Ben Midgley of Kennebunkport and Robert Wessels of Paris qualified for the ballot.
David Costello of Brunswick, a former senior level government official, will be on the Democratic primary ballot. (David Costello via Facebook)
MAINE GOVERNOR’S RACE INDEPENDENTS
The deadline for independents to turn in their signatures isn’t until June 1, so we don’t know yet which candidates will be on the November ballot.
Here’s who’s registered with the ethics commission: state Sen. Rick Bennett of Oxford, state Rep. Ed Crockett of Portland, retired state worker John Glowa of South China, Alexander Murchison of Dover Foxcroft and Derek Levasseur of Benton.
