Campaign spending

There will be robust primaries for the Democratic and Republican nominations for governor. But the races for Maine's 2nd Congressional District and Senate seat are also expected to draw national interest — and money.

The groups behind last year's ballot initiative have always said that their ultimate goal is to get the campaign finance and free speech issue before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The vast majority of voters approved the law in November 2023 as a way to limit foreign influence in state elections. But two federal courts have now said the restrictions on campaign spending and contributions likely violate the free speech rights of U.S. companies with foreign shareholders.

The groups contend that Question 1, which passed in November with more than 74% of the vote, violates constitutionally protected free speech by setting a $5,000 annual cap on how much individuals, businesses and political groups can donated to super PACs.

The case focuses on the constitutionality of a year-old law, passed by an overwhelming majority of Maine voters, that prohibits companies that are partially owned by foreign governments from spending on referendum campaigns.

Late filings of campaign finance reports are not unusual. But staff at the Maine Ethics Commission said the Building the Maine House PAC run by Rep. Dick Campbell of Orrington has a lengthy history of not complying with deadlines.

In this week’s Political Pulse: Money isn’t everything in politics, but it helps. Plus abortion access and defunding the police.

If Maine's recent campaign history is any indication, the influx of money from outside groups could easily eclipse the amount raised and spent by the two candidates.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills hasn't made her reelection campaign official, but campaign finance reports currently show she has more than double the available cash to spend on a contest against Republican challenger and two-time Gov. Paul LePage.

Maine legislators this week will consider a bill that would require the Maine Ethics Commission to review campaign spending reports in Portland city elections. Lawmakers might also consider broadening the bill to include Lewiston and Bangor as well.