Maine

RFK Jr. calls Maine’s top election official ‘Democrat partisan hack’ in lawsuit over ballot access

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

RFK Jr. calls Maine’s top election official ‘Democrat partisan hack’ in lawsuit over ballot access

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sued Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows after election officials barred the independent presidential candidate from collecting ballot access signatures inside polling places during the March 5 presidential primary.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Bangor, Maine Wednesday, slams Bellows as a “Democrat partisan hack” who is “disinterested in the rule of law, basic constitutional protections, in favor of peacocking around as the lap dog of an incompetent, desperate, senile president.”

“(The president’s) political team has apparently issued (Bellows) instructions from the White House to clear Maine’s 2024 general election ballot from any opposition that might threaten to deprive Joe Biden of Maine’s four electoral college votes – Constitution be damned,” the lawsuit said.

Independent and third-party candidates are required to collect 4,000 signatures from registered voters by the start of August in order to have their name placed on Maine’s 2024 general election ballot.

The candidates can only submit 5,000 for review to election officials and Kennedy argued his campaign needs to collect as many signatures as possible to make sure 4,000 of the 5,000 pass muster.

Lawyers for Kennedy said town clerks had previously told the campaign they would be allowed to collect signatures inside polling places on March 5, a decision the candidate alleged was reversed earlier this month “as it somehow threatened (without explanation, as to how) to unduly influence the voters.”

“It is beyond the laugh test to argue that the collection of ballot access petition signatures for independent and third-party presidential electors can in any way be properly interpreted as either influencing or attempting to influence the casting of votes for delegates to the national political party nominating conventions,” the lawsuit said.

But Bellows said Maine law is “very clear” that within a voting place itself, a person cannot influence another person’s decision regarding a candidate for office or a question that is on the ballot for election that day.

That is why no presidential campaign can collect signatures on presidential primary day, Bellows said. But if a candidate’s office is not on the ballot, they “can absolutely collect signatures,” she said.

“There’s a statewide election in June. Certainly Mr. Kennedy can collect signatures then. It’s important to recognize that it’s when a candidate’s office is on the ballot, that they cannot collect signatures because for good reason, Maine law prohibits political activities that influence a voter,” Bellows said in a statement.

Kennedy’s campaign lawyers argued he should be allowed to collect signatures inside polling places because his name will not appear on the Republican or Democratic primary ballots. He asked a federal judge to reverse Bellows’ decision and declare it unconstitutional.

The lawsuit said Bellows allowed Republican and Democratic presidential candidates to collect ballot access signatures inside polling locations during the November 2023 statewide election, a contest that did not feature presidential candidates on the ballot.

Representatives of Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips and Republican candidates Doug Burgum, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Ryan Binkley were allowed to collect signatures inside polling locations during the November 2023 general election, the lawsuit said.

Maine, Kennedy’s lawyers argued, “has historically permitted” prospective candidates to collect signatures inside polling locations on tables provided by the state “as a matter of course during both the primary and general election.”

“In 2020, the Green Party presidential candidate was permitted to collect petition signatures inside polling locations on primary election day 2020, for their presidential candidate, on tables provided by the state, and reports collecting about 9,000 signatures on that single day,” Kennedy’s lawyers said in the lawsuit.

Lawyers for Kennedy’s campaign argued the candidate’s team should also be allowed to collect ballot access signatures inside polling locations during the March 5 primary “because everyone exiting polling locations during a primary election are registered voters qualified to sign (Kennedy Jr.’s) ballot access petition.”

Kennedy’s lawyers said his campaign stands to save about $22,500 if they are allowed to collect signatures inside polling places on presidential primary day in March because professional signature gathers charge about half as much.

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Maine

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

Published

22 minutes ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.

The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.

Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.

“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.

The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.

“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.

The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.

The location is yet to be determined.

If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.

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Maine

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Published

12 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?

A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.

This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.

Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine

According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.

Wondering what’s in the burrito?

The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”

Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.

The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.

As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.

Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant

First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.

Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.

A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.

READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew

And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.

So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.

You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods

Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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Maine

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.

Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.

“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.

For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.

Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”

If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.

You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.

You can also call 941-2800.

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