Steve Mistler

Chief Political Correspondent and State House Bureau Chief
  • Maine Public

Steve has been a journalist for nearly two decades, specializing in the coverage of politics and state government. His work has been recognized by the Maine Press Association and the New England Newspaper and Press Association for investigative projects and accountability journalism. He was named the MPA’s Journalist of the Year in 2011 for his coverage of municipal government for The Forecaster in Falmouth and, later, for his coverage of state government for the Sun Journal in Lewiston.

Steve became the state house bureau chief for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram in 2012. After four years with Maine’s largest daily newspaper, Steve made the leap to radio journalism, joining Maine Public in May 2016.

Steve is married with one child and has two crazy dogs. His family lives in Brunswick.

Ways to Connect

Vaccine Exemptions And NECEC: A Look At Two Of Maine's Biggest Election Battles

By • Jan 16, 2020
Maine Public File

The 2020 elections won't just be about the race for the White House, Congress or the Maine Legislature. The elections will also be about vaccinations for school children and, potentially, whether Central Maine Power should be able to build a $1 billion power line that helps Massachusetts meet its renewable energy goals. 

Maine Transportation Department Unveils $2.6 Billion, 3-Year Work Plan

By • Jan 15, 2020
Steve Mistler / Maine Public

The Maine Department of Transportation released a three-year work plan that includes more than 2,000 projects worth nearly $2.6 billion. It also contains something else: a plea to state lawmakers to help the department fill a project backlog spurred by higher construction costs, workforce shortages and chronic underfunding.

Hydro-Quebec Could Face Fine For Late Disclosure Of Efforts To Sway Maine Voters On CMP Project

By • Jan 13, 2020
Fred Bever / Maine Public/file

A ballot question committee representing the Canadian energy company Hydro-Quebec could face a significant fine from state election regulators for the late disclosure of campaign activity. Meanwhile, a state lawmaker is trying to stop the company’s efforts to convince Maine voters to approve a controversial $1 billion transmission project at the ballot box in November.

Maine Senate President Defends His Ties To Machinists Union

By • Jan 10, 2020
Maine Public File

Maine Senate President Troy Jackson Friday once again defended his decision to criticize the hiring practices of Bath Iron Works’ parent company, at a time when he had been hired to work with a machinists union that's affiliated with the shipyard.

Indirect Lobbying Can Fly Under The Radar. A Maine Ethics Commission Proposal Could Change That.

By • Jan 10, 2020
Rebecca Conley / Maine Public File

The agency overseeing Maine's lobbying regulations wants to update a state law that has allowed some interest groups to influence legislation by spending big without having to disclose it to the public.

As Impeachment Trial Looms, Sen. Susan Collins Faces Scrutiny In Congress And At Home

By • Jan 3, 2020

As President Trump's impeachment trial approaches, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is under close scrutiny from Democrats and her fellow Republicans ahead of a vote that could once again test her reputation for centrism and independence.

The spotlight on Collins has come a bit earlier than expected.

In the narrowly divided Senate, just four Republicans could force Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to reconsider his vow for a speedy acquittal and "total coordination" with the Trump White House.

As Senate Impeachment Trial Nears, Collins Targeted From Left — And Right — To Break With McConnell

By • Dec 27, 2019
Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press

Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine has said little publicly about the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. But pressure is mounting for Collins to take a public position on whether to remove the president from office, and to use her political leverage to ensure a fair trial.

12 Of 15 Democratic Presidential Candidates - And Only 1 Republican - Qualify For Maine Primary

By • Dec 26, 2019
Chris Carlson / Associated Press

Twelve of the 15 Democrats vying for the party's presidential nomination have filed to compete in the Maine primary that will take place March 3.

Hydro-Quebec Gears Up For Political Battle Over CMP's Proposed Transmission Line

By • Dec 13, 2019
Robert F. Bukaty / AP

Hydro-Quebec, the Canadian energy company poised to supply hydropower to a proposed transmission line through western Maine, is joining a campaign to defeat a referendum that could scuttle the $1 billion project at the ballot box next year.

Golden Tries To Show Voters That Impeachment Inquiry Won't Crowd Out Other Issues

By • Dec 4, 2019
Steve Mistler / Maine Public

The impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump enters a new phase this week, raising the political stakes for the president and also for lawmakers like 2nd District Congressman Jared Golden of Maine.

Nov. 29: Who Is Paying For All Those Political Ads?

By • Nov 29, 2019
Rebecca Conley / Maine Public

This week: a special holiday edition of the Pulse to be thankful for.

Maine Unlikely To Alter Goals To Address Climate Change In Light Of New U.N. Report

By • Nov 26, 2019
Steve Mistler / Maine Public

Maine Gov. Janet Mills says a new report from the United Nations that is calling for unprecedented cuts in greenhouse gas emissions is unlikely to change the state's own climate change goals.

Changes Could Come To Indigent Legal Services In Maine Amid Billing Scrutiny

By • Nov 20, 2019
Gregory Rec / Portland Press Herald/pool file photo

Changes could soon come to the system that delivers free legal services to poor people in Maine facing criminal prosecution.

Mills Says She Won't Get Involved In Potential Ballot Campaign Over CMP Transmission Line

By • Nov 13, 2019
Mal Leary / Maine Public File

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills says she does not plan to get involved in a potential ballot campaign that could determine whether Central Maine Power (CMP) can build a controversial transmission line through Western Maine, even though she supports the project.

Former Google Executive Latest Democrat To Enter Race To Unseat Susan Collins

By • Nov 8, 2019
Courtesty LaJeunesse campaign

A former Google executive and senior adviser to former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced his bid to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

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