PORTLAND, Maine — The race for Congress in Maine's First District is a long shot for the two candidates hoping to unseat Democratic incumbent Chellie Pingree. Pingree has served eight terms as congresswoman, representing a heavily blue portion of the state, including Portland, Maine's largest city. Republican political newcomer Ron Russell is hoping to appeal to conservative voters in more rural communities.
Chellie Pingree (D)
About The Candidate:
- 69 years old
- Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Moved to Maine for college, and has lived on the island of North Haven since
- Former farmer and small business owner
- Started North Island Designs selling yarn and knitting kits nationwide, now co-owns inn on North Haven Island
- Served in Maine State Senate from 1992-2000, named Majority Leader in 1996
- Challenged Sen. Susan Collins in 2002 and lost
- Elected to Congress for Maine’s 1st Congressional District in 2008—the first woman elected to Congress from CD1
- Serves on House Appropriations Committee
- Serves on House Agriculture Committee
- Mother of three grown children
- Daughter Hannah Pingree is a former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives and now serves as director of Gov. Janet Mills’ Office of Policy Innovation and Future
The Issues:
- “Health Care & Prescription Drugs”
- “Choice & Women’s Health”
- “Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid”
- “Education”
- “Opioids”
- “Jobs & The Economy”
- “Environment & Clean Energy”
- “Gun Safety”
- “Veterans”
- “Food & Farming”
You can learn more about the candidate on her campaign website at chelliepingree.com.
Ron Russell (R)
About The Candidate:
- 69 years old
- Retired Army Green Beret and defense contractor
- Served in the U.S. Army for 30 years after West Point Graduate
- Born and raised in Fort Fairfield on a potato farm, but left for much of his adult life
- Moved back to Maine in June 2021 and now lives in Kennebunkport
- No formal political experience, but wants to “get our country back on track”
The Issues:
- “Divisive Political Discourse”
- “Immigration”
- “Taxes”
- “Energy and the Economy”
- “Gun Control”
- “Election Integrity”
- “Education”
- “Reducing crime and Supporting First Responders”
You can learn more about the candidate on his campaign website at ronrussellforcongress.com.
Ethan Alcorn (I)
About The Candidate:
- 59 years old
- Born and raised in Portland, but now lives in Saco
- Massage therapist
- Formerly worked with a nonprofit helping the Hispanic community, and as a landscaper
- Became politically engaged during the 2016 election
- Contributor on WLOB and WGAN
- Has unsuccessfully run for several elected offices in Maine
- Lost race for governor in 2018
- Was on the list as a presidential candidate in 2020
- Lost Saco School Board race in 2021
- Didn’t get enough signatures to run for governor in 2022
The Issues:
- “Lower taxes”
- “Outlaw vaccines that are not PROVEN to be effective”
- “Close the border”
- “Term Limits”
- “A new digital Bill of Rights”
- “End corruption in our federal agencies”
- “Audit the military”
- “Audit the FED”
- “Decriminalize marijuana and some natural hallucinogens, nationally”
- “Disband homeland security, HSA”
- “Re-instate the Smith-Mundt Act:
- “Make cash money permanent.”
- “Nationalize some energy operations, such as oil.”
- “Craft Law to encourage State Banks”
You can learn more about the candidate on his campaign website at ethanforushouse.org.
Voice of the Voter Forum
Pingree, Russell, and Alcorn will face off in NEWS CENTER Maine's Voice of the Voter Forum on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Watch the forum live on air, on our website, or by streaming NEWS CENTER Maine+. Not able to watch live? The full video will be available on-demand on NEWS CENTER Maine+ after it airs.
