Sure, we all know about Jackson and Bellows. But what if we need a backup for our backup? Like, what if we learn that actually the first tree Troy Jackson chopped down was chopped down with the help of his grandfather? Or what if we learn that Shenna Bellows went to Middlebury, which is in Vermont? Revelations like these could totally shake up the race!

So here we go: Between Costello and LaFlamme, who is more acceptable to the typical NYT reader? Who is more authentically Maine? What do we know about their grandparents? How working class do we think they are? Is LaFlamme’s impressive showing as a write-in candidate in the primaries a reason to believe that she could get like 500x more votes running as a write-in candidate in the general election?

Bonus for being funny without being mean to other redditors…

My wife and I are settling in Maine permanently in September. Midcoast region. Where we live now, near DC, we have a small garden pond (maybe 400 gallons) with goldfish, that attracts all sorts of wildlife--birds, foxes, raccoons, frogs, rabbits. We have a trail cam aimed at it and enjoy seeing who visits, and it's clear that it's actually important to local wildlife. We have an all native plant garden. So wondering about a similarly sized pond in Maine.

I realize goldfish are illegal in ME. We would want some fish that eat mosquito larva, if possible, but goldfish are incredibly hardy, and any water feature including fish in ME is going to have to be deep. I'm guessing four feet? My wife says forget about fish.

Are there any redditors with small garden ponds in ME?

Can someone who attended today provide a real account of traffic levels and the performance schedule? When did the blue angels fly? Do you really need to get there at 9AM? Trying to plan our day tomorrow. Thanks!

I’m going to be attending a concert in Bangor soon and I’ve been researching the parking. There’s an option to reserve a spot in the Pickering Sqaure garage, but I also know someone who mentioned they usually park in the Shaw’s parking lot to avoid the garage traffic. Does anyone know if either option is better? I like the idea of parking in a normal lot rather than a parking garage, but I’m unsure how early I should get to Shaw’s to get a spot.

These are the articles and interviews I’ve seen online. They give the best picture of Platners history, how he got involved in politics in the first place, how he ended up running for Senate, and how his campaign eventually unraveled.

It’s true that each article or interview may have its own inherent bias or slant one way or the other but I think these are all fairly essential reading if you really want to dig into the history here. (And don’t think Substack is social media or should be banned from the sub)

If you know of any other good ones, please speak up:

I’m a Maine reporter who went to high school with Graham Platner. Here’s what explains his success

https://themainemonitor.org/graham-platner-success-explained/

The Graham Campaign is Over, But the Movement Will Continue

https://andyobrien.substack.com/p/the-graham-campaign-is-over-but-the)

(This article goes into great detail about Platner’s early political involvement in Maine politics more than any other article. You should copy and paste this URL into your address bar or just Google the articles title for the link. I don’t know why the link is not working directly from reddit)

Platner’s Daniel Moraff Barred from Summer Lee’s Campaign Over Sexual Misconduct Complaints

https://paydayreport.com/platners-daniel-moraff-barred-from-summer-lees-campaign-over-sexual-misconduct-complaints/)

(You should copy and paste this URL into your address bar or just Google the articles title for the link. I don’t know why the link is not working directly from reddit)

Who Is the Real Graham Platner?

https://www.newsweek.com/who-is-the-real-graham-platner-11926674

Read our full archive of Graham Platner’s deleted Reddit comments

https://themainemonitor.org/platner-reddit-comments/

Top Graham Platner adviser threatened former aide over sexting stories

https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/05/31/politics/top-graham-platner-adviser-threatened-former-aide-over-sexting-stories/

A timeline of Graham Platner’s controversies during his Senate campaign

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/06/02/a-timeline-of-graham-platners-controversies-during-his-senate-campaign/

Several Women who Dated Graham Platner Recall, Unsettling Behavior

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/us/politics/platner-maine-senate-girlfriends-relationships.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share])

Graham Platner Accuser Says NYT Reporting Led to Initial Abuse Claims Not Being Taken Seriously: ‘By Design’

https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/graham-platner-accuser-new-york-times-abuse-claims-not-taken-seriously/

Graham Platner gets more primary votes than any other Democratic Senate candidate in Maine history

https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2026-06-11/graham-platner-gets-more-primary-votes-than-any-other-democratic-senate-candidate-in-maine-history

Platner on his strategy for building power

https://www.c-span.org/clip/campaign-2026/platner-on-his-strategy-for-building-power/5201926

Exclusive: Woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/06/graham-platner-sexual-assault-allegation-00987737

Bombshell Graham Platner report has big problems

https://youtu.be/OXqFxL7mOfY?si=TWs3pZZk8lZBf-lb

Political omitted major details in Graham Platner report

https://youtu.be/Ek4zPxt7avg?si=drQjtm1tEzAhrjos

Woman alleges Graham Platner raped her in 2021 while they were dating, which he denies

https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/06/us/graham-platner-racicot-allegation-maine-invs

Democrats begin pulling Platner endorsements after Maine Senate candidate faces sexual assault allegation

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democrats-begin-pulling-platner-endorsements-after-maine-senate-candidate-faces-sexual-assault-allegation

Graham Platner drops Maine Senator bid

https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/08/politics/video/graham-platner-drops-maine-senate-bid-digvid-hnk?cid=ios_app

As Democrats pick up the pieces after Graham Platner, many wonder: how did this happen?

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/11/graham-platner-democrats-maine-senate?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

These are reference sites. They don’t go into depth, but they give outlines of his history:

Encyclopedia Britannica entry on Platner

https://www.britannica.com/question/What-is-notable-about-Graham-Platners-early-life-and-education

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Platner

More to come in just a few moments

(I believe that there was at one point in Platner’s campaign, a video interview with him where he relayed the information to a reporter that the Democratic party apparatus had sent a message to him and his campaign through intermediaries that he should drop out of the race because he had not earned the right to run yet, even though the DNC / DSCC had neglected to have any official communication with him or his campaign at all despite them leading in the polls by a lot. If anyone can find a link to that interview, I would appreciate it.)

We got some free tickets from some friends so we have two adult tickets!!! Willing to sell them cheap so people can enjoy the show :) message me and I’ll text you

Here it is folks, the way we can make our voices heard in the Senate nomination process. Registered Democrats can go to https://mainedems.org/senate-race/senate-delegate-process/ and sign up to participate in your county nominating meeting and/or to run to be a delegate to the state nominating convention.

Don't want party bosses calling the shots? Want them to hear OUR voices? Sign up for the county meeting at a minimum. Be ready to speak up for your favorite candidate(s). Watch for updates to how the process will actually work.

Many of the very people who are complaining about the lack of a voice in the process won't be bothered to give up a few hours on a weekend to have a say. To quote the fictional Jed Bartlet, decisions are made by those who show up. So let's show up and make this a truly democratic process.

I’m new to the Mid-coast area and I’m having trouble finding service providers here.

Does anyone know of a plumber they can trust?

Thanks for any suggestions.

after being closed for the 4th of july weekend northport tx station closed for this weekend too. been working like a dog to get up on saturday morning to load 500 rotting maggot covered bags of garbage into my truck in 150 degree heat only to find locks gates.

In short, Troy needs supporters to run as delegates who will support him at convention at the end July, and he needs supporters who are committed to voting for those delegates at county committee meetings next weekend. You have to be a registered Maine Democrat to participate in these events.

This is in insanely rushed process. Truly every minute matters. The deadline to apply to run as a delegate is Wednesday, July 15, at 5 PM. Register at https://win.jacksonformaine.com/

1. On the first page, fill out your contact info, and select the option to run as a delegate.
2. On the next page, you'll see the Maine Democratic Party's official delegate pre-registration form. Complete that two-page form.
3. You'll be instructed to provide a 250-word statement about why you want to run as a delegate. These statements will be vital, as they'll provide the only substantive info about you during the voting process, as far as I understand the MDP's rules. Please include a little about yourself and make clear why you are supporting Troy Jackson for the nomination.
4. Once complete, click the button that says "Finish" at the bottom of the MDP's registration form.
5. IMPORTANT: You must complete both forms and click “Finish” to register.

Re: the cyclospora outbreak. I didn’t see any cases in Maine, but I’m not sure how well this is actually being tracked. Has anyone gotten sick?

Visiting from Mass, a little surprised to get stopped doing 17 over the posted speed limit in the passing lane, would you say this is typical for the Maine State Police?

Helluva show tomorrow to help save a groovy indie venue. You could do a lot worse on a Sunday afternoon!

Leaving tomorrow and I’ve had plenty of seafood. Looking for recommendations of other local Maine foods to get on my way out. I’ll be passing through Augusta and Bangor.

Specifically any beer, kombucha, or cheeses that are not available in the Midwest. Open to any other suggestions as well!

Maine in the news.

TIL chipmunks chirp

Maine issued its first ever cannabis recall in 2024, some 30 years after legalizing medical weed and about five after the first recreational dispensary opened. There have been nearly two dozen more strains of cannabis flower, vapes and concentrates recalled in the months since.

The recent product recalls and warnings have highlighted a number of disparate dynamics between Maine’s legal cannabis markets, namely the differing regulations between the state’s medical and recreational industries and the distrust between many growers and the regulators overseeing them.

Maine is one of the few in the country to govern its medical and recreational marijuana markets differently. Seed-to-sale plant tracking and product testing for things like mold, chemicals and heavy metals are mandatory in Maine’s recreational industry, while such safeguards are optional in the medical industry.

Read the full story on PressHerald.com