Pine State Politics: In Session

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Latest Episodes:

Read All About It! - Reporting on Campaigns May 17, 2025

For our eight and final episode, we sit down with the Editor and Chief of the Maine Wire, Steve Robinson. Steve answers questions such as: "what do journalists consider newsworthy?" and "how do you report on different events?" Our conversation explores the journalist thinking and choices behind how the story of an election is told to the public.

Show Me the Money! - Clean Elections Funding May 17, 2025

In our seventh episode we sit down with Maine State Senator Cameron Reny. Senator Reny walks us through how to run a campaign using Clean Election Funds, a system that allows candidates for state office to publicly finance their campaigns. Fun Fact: Senator Reny was Natalie's middle school guidance counselor!

Walking for the Win - A Guide to Campaigning in Maine pt. 2 May 17, 2025

In episode six, we hear from former US Secretary of Defense, US Senator, and US Congressman Bill Cohen, alongside his old friend, Professor Emeritus at Bowdoin College and expert on all things Maine politics, Chris Potholm. Chris Potholm served as campaign manager for Secretary Cohen's first campaign. Together, they tell us the story of their successful 1972 congressional campaign.

Methods to the Madness - Examining Campaign Strategy May 17, 2025

In our fifth episode we sit down with seasoned campaign professional and lobbyist Lauren LePage to talk all things campaign strategy. Lauren is the daughter of former Maine State Governor Paul LePage, and she explains campaign strategy through the lens of Governor LePage's 2010 and 2014 campaigns.

As Maine Goes, So Goes the Nation - Ranked Choice Voting May 07, 2025

For episode number four, we speak with Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap. Before becoming the State Auditor, Matt Dunlap served as Maine's Secretary of State for 14 years. During that time, he presided over the passing and implementation of Ranked Choice Voting, as Maine became the first state in the nation to use RCV state wide. In this episode, he tells us the story!

Leave Me Alone! - Referendums, Ballot Initiatives, and Petitions in Maine May 07, 2025

In our third episode, we sit down with the former Deputy Campaign Manager for Pine Tree Power Lucy Hochschartner, and Bowdoin Professor Max Lykins. Lucy talks to us about the logistics behind referendums, ballot initiatives, and the petition process in Maine, while Professor Lykins walks us through the constitutional theory behind direct democracy and referendums.

An Independent Perspective - A Guide to Campaigning in Maine pt. 1 May 07, 2025

In our second episode we sit down with current US Senator and former Governor of Maine Angus King, and his long-time campaign manager and chief of staff Kay Rand. Senator King and Kay provide their thoughts on the 1994 gubernatorial election and reflect on what it took to run their campaign.

Decoding the Political Ecosystem - Politics from DC to Maine May 06, 2025

For our first episode, we sit down with veteran lobbyist and DC insider Peter Madigan, as well as Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. Our two guests take us through the process of how our government works, with a special emphasis on the difference between DC and Maine (federal and state structures).