NOTLUS
- A seasoned Democratic
strategist in Maine not working on the Senate race told NOTUS’ Christa Dutton
that state party committee members are “seriously looking at alternatives”
already. Of course, the internet is also doing that, as well as Washington’s text
chains and Signal chats. Christa’s operative had some takes on the early names
rising to the top of a replacement list:
- Gov. Janet
Mills, who was forced from the Senate primary by Platner-mentum? “I
don’t think anyone challenges her, assuming she wants it.”
- Retiring
Rep. Jared Golden, the candidate establishment dreams are made
of? “His desire to be done with politics seems sincere.”
- Former
state legislator Troy Jackson, whom the online left has all
but crowned the next nominee already. “Thus far I haven’t heard anyone in
Dem political circles calling for him to run.”
It
will be hard to move forward because this is a bad moment for Democrats, full
stop. The party
establishment backed Mills, a candidate so old she had to promise to seek only
one term, and her campaign never caught fire. Now they have to explain why
anyone should trust them to pick the next nominee. The left stayed firmly in
formation around Platner through it all — and it really has been a lot —
insisting that anyone with concerns about their candidate was an idiot who
didn’t understand what real people are actually like. Now they, too, have to
make the case that they should be trusted to pick the next candidate.
This
remains one of the marquee races, if not the marquee race, of the cycle. And Sen. Susan Collins, the
Republican incumbent who was always going to be tough to beat, has been able to
sit back through months of Democratic infighting — which now continues.
Polling USA has Troy Jackson 5 points ahead of Collins, and Platner 4 points behind here. Mills is tied.
Maine Morning Star - Religious schools accepting public funds are required to follow Maine laws that protect against discrimination based on faith, gender identity and sexual orientation, a federal court has ruled. Crosspoint Church, which runs Bangor Christian Schools, and St. Dominic Academy in Auburn filed separate appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston in January, 2025. The state’s anti-discrimination law infringes on their constitutional right to free exercise of religion, they said.
UPCOMING
JULY 7
Tonic, 7 Dunlap St., Brunswick: Open mic with Rexy Dinosaur, 6-8
JULY 8
Peaks Island Lions Club, 2 Garden Rd., Peaks Island: Don Campbell, 5
Thursday Night Concert Series at Winslow Park
For more info on the artists and to see the Memorial Park summer concert schedule, visit the Meetinghouse Arts website
JULY 9 — JIM SHARKEY: Original songs blending Celtic traditional ballad influences with contemporary issues.
JULY 16 — COASTAL WINDS: Enjoy the vibrant sounds of the Coastal Winds, a community band featuring over 35 skilled woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists from the Freeport area.
JULY 23 — THE FLUKES:A Fun-Loving Ukulele Society, The Flukes bring joy to all ages with their performance, playing tunes from Bach to the Beatles.
JULY 30 — THE DELTA KNIGHTS BAND: Led by frontman Rob Babson, The Delta Knights Band has spent 30 years as a Southern Maine staple, delivering a tight, expert blend of blues, R&B, and classic rock.
AUGUST 6 — VINYL FOSSILS…Don't miss this six-piece band performing classic rock and roll music.
AUGUST 13 — CAROLE WISE | MARK ABRAHAM | DENNY BREAU | APRIL REED-COX: Four gifted Maine musicians unite to perform a harmonious, authentic blend of original songs celebrating friendship and collaboration.
AUGUST 20 — CORMAC MCCARTHY: Don't miss Cormac McCarthy's enthralling Americana set, showcasing his expertise as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and storyteller.
AUGUST 27 — BESS JACQUES & THE STRAYS: Bess Jacques & The Strays deliver a vibrant, nostalgic blend of jazz and pop, featuring lush vocal ballads and hard-swinging originals from their debut album.
Winslow Park Concerts are a community collaboration between Meetinghouse Arts and the Town of Freeport View it on website
JULY 9
Shellfish Commission Meeting 30 Main Street, 6:30 pm
JULY 10
..JULY 11
JULY 12
Memorial Park, 5 Park St., Freeport: The Honey Tones, 2-4
Music in the Parks - Memorial Park, 19 Bow St 2:00 pm
JULY 22
Waves for the Bay: Friends of Casco Bay Members Annual Meeting: 5:30-7:30 pm. Where: Portland Yacht Services, 100 West Commercial Street, Portland, ME. The event will be held outside on a gravel surface under a tent, rain or shine.