Chellie Pingree wins Maine’s 1st district, cruising to 10th term

Pingree Cruises to 10th Term in Maine’s 1st District, Eyes Gavel Return if Democrats Retake House

PORTLAND — U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree secured a 10th term in Congress on Tuesday, turning back Republican challenger Ron Russell with a commanding margin that mirrored their 2024 rematch and reinforced the 1st District’s status as a Democratic stronghold.

With the vast majority of precincts reporting, Pingree held roughly 68 percent of the vote to Russell’s 32 percent. The Associated Press had not formally called the race as of 10:18 p.m., but the outcome was never in serious doubt. The 71-year-old incumbent will extend a tenure that began in 2008, making her the second-longest-serving House member in Maine history. By the close of her next term, she will have represented the district — anchored by Portland, Biddeford and Brunswick — for two full decades.

The campaign was notably low-wattage, even by the standards of a safely blue seat. The candidates participated in a single televised debate, hosted by Maine Public and NEWSCENTER Maine on the Thursday before the election. Combined spending by the two campaigns fell short of $1 million, and outside groups reported a grand total of $10 in expenditures, according to OpenSecrets. There were no significant television ad buys.

What attention the race did attract centered on the cost of living, particularly heating fuel prices that have surged since the United States and Israel entered a war with Iran in February. Russell, a 72-year-old who first challenged Pingree two years ago, won a competitive Republican primary in June against Joshua Pietrowicz. In the debate, he said he did not disagree with any policy positions of President Donald Trump, who remains deeply unpopular in Maine and nationally.

Pingree, who has not faced a primary opponent since her initial run in 2008, served on the House Agriculture and Appropriations committees during the last Congress. With national forecasters projecting a Democratic majority in the House next year, she is positioned to reclaim the chairmanship of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, tribal affairs, arts funding and land-use programs — a post she previously held.

At a victory gathering in Portland Tuesday night, Pingree spent little time on her own race. Instead, she turned the microphone toward the rest of the ballot. Her daughter, Hannah Pingree, 50, is the heavy favorite in the gubernatorial contest. The elder Pingree called her “an extremely competent young woman” and expressed optimism that State Auditor Matt Dunlap would unseat former Gov. Paul LePage in the closely watched 2nd District race.

“It’s looking like a very good night,” Pingree told supporters as national returns continued to trend toward Democrats.

But she struck a combative note about the executive branch. Referring to Trump without naming him, she said, “that crazy man with his corruption operation going on up there will still have a veto pen.” She vowed that a Democratic-led House would investigate Trump administration officials and push for the removal of certain cabinet members, singling out Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

“Democrats have gotta prove that we understand the damage that’s been done and the challenges that working people face in our country trying to put food on the table, pay for housing, childcare,” Pingree said.

Russell, speaking earlier in the evening, congratulated Pingree and said he would not rule out a third run in 2028. “The district deserves a choice,” he said. “And I’ll keep offering one as long as I’m able.”

For now, the choice has been made — decisively, quietly, and for the tenth time.