AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has the blessing of Democrats to serve another two years in office. The party nominated Frey for attorney general during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, according to lawmakers in attendance.
Frey, who was first elected to his position in 2018, has faced challenges in his bid for re-election.
Maeghan Maloney, the Democratic district attorney of Kennebec and Somerset counties, launched a campaign to challenge Frey for the role in an election which will be decided by a vote of both chambers of the Legislature during a joint session Wednesday.
Both Maloney and Frey have come under scrutiny for personal and professional conduct. Last year, Frey disclosed a months-long relationship with a subordinate employee. An independent review of the situation found no issues with the work culture at the Office of the Maine Attorney General.
Maloney is also facing a controversy of her own. A recent panel found probable cause that she violated Maine Bar Rules by directly contacting a defendant represented by legal counsel—an action prohibited for prosecutors.
In addition to Maloney, Frey is facing a challenge from Republican former Assistant Secretary of State Robert Charles.
STATE TREASURER
In the meeting Tuesday, Democratic lawmakers also nominated a state treasurer. State Representative Joe Perry won that race.
Perry, a Democrat and small business owner from Bangor, has served seven non-consecutive terms in the Maine House of Representatives and three terms in the Maine Senate.
He entered the contest for Maine state treasurer against fellow Democrat and outgoing House Majority Leader Maureen Terry.
The race between the two Democrats follows a decision by sitting Treasurer Henry Beck to step down. Beck has served in the role since 2018.
After securing the support of his party Tuesday, Perry said in a statement, "I'm very pleased to be the Democrats' nominee to be the next state treasurer. I look forward to the final vote by the entire House and Senate on Wednesday."
Frey and Perry are both from Bangor, a point of pride for State Sen. Joe Baldacci, who represents the city in the Maine Senate.
"Today is a good day for Bangor," Baldacci said in a phone call on Tuesday.
Democratic lawmakers also nominated Shenna Bellows to serve another term as secretary of state. Baldacci says she did not face opposition.
NEWS CENTER Maine's Alex Haskell contributed reporting to this story.