Vice President Kamala Harris has received a tsunami of financial support since replacing President Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, including in Maine, where she has raised 19 times more money than former President Donald Trump since she entered the race.
Harris raised nearly $1.8 million in Maine between July 21 and Aug. 31, according to finance reports posted this week by the Federal Elections Commission. That’s an average of $42,900 a day and accounts for more than half of the $3.4 million raised by both Biden and Harris in Maine over the past two years.
Those totals dwarf former President Donald Trump’s numbers, even though the former president has strong support in much of the state. Trump has twice before captured one of Maine’s four Electoral College votes by winning the 2nd Congressional District. The Republican nominee has raised only $800,000 in Maine leading up to the November election, including $93,200 since Harris became his opponent.
“In just a short time, Vice President Harris’ candidacy has galvanized a history-making, broad, and diverse coalition – with the type of enthusiasm, energy, and grit that wins close elections,” Harris-Walz 2024 Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a news release this month.
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The Trump campaign did not respond to questions about his fundraising here.
The Democratic ticket’s fundraising has already surpassed the $2.8 million Biden raised here in 2020, when Trump raised $1.3 million. Through the end of August, she had raised $669 million nationwide to Trump’s $306.8 million.
Harris’ fundraising has been strong ever since she entered the race, leading to concern among Republicans that they will not have enough money to defend against attacks or fund a strong ground game. In August, Harris’ campaign raised four times the amount taken in by Trump.
However, the Trump campaign has the support of well-funded political action committees, or super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money. The outside groups are still raking in money from wealthy donors and are expected to play a big role, especially in the half dozen or so swing states expected to decide the election, the New York Times reported.
“Make no mistake: This election will be hard-fought and hard-won,” Chavez Rodriguez said. “But with the undeniable, organic support we are seeing, we are making sure we are doing everything possible to mobilize our coalition to defeat Donald Trump once and for all.”
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Ronald Schmidt Jr., a professor and chair of the political science department at the University of Southern Maine, cautioned against reading too much into the fundraising totals here when trying predict the outcome of the election.
In 2016, for example, Hillary Clinton outspent Trump – $564 million to $333 million – and still lost the election. And despite raising $286,000 in Maine, compared to Clinton’s $1.7 million, Trump made history in Maine by winning one of the state’s four electoral votes. It was the first time the state had split its votes.
“The Clinton campaign spent more than the Trump campaign did back in 2016, so it’s not like the more money, the more guaranteed you are of a victory,” Schmidt said. “But campaign finance is incredibly important.”
Schmidt said the surge of donations since Harris took over the campaign may reflect the doubts that some donors had about Biden and a renewed enthusiasm for Harris, who could become the first female and first woman of color to become president.
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“There is a way that money follows the impression of victory,” Schmidt said. “So that (surge) tells me there are people who are either pro-Democratic Party or anti-Trump or anti-GOP who maybe were wavering about giving before because they thought it would be – you might call it – a bad investment but now see a real path to victory with Harris.”
About three-quarters of Harris’ funding is coming from coastal counties in the more progressive 1st Congressional District. More than half of Harris’ donations through August, or $1.76 million, came from Cumberland County alone. Trump’s fundraising is basically split between the congressional districts, but he has outraised Harris in interior northern counties.
Harris’ campaign says 13 of its 24 field offices are located in the 2nd Congressional District, which could represent a key electoral vote in an extremely tight election. Though unlikely, analysts say, if Trump wins the swing states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, a win in Maine’s 2nd District could get him to 270 Electoral College votes, the minimum needed to become president.
A poll by the University of New Hampshire in Augusta surprised many, showing that Harris is running even with Trump in the 2nd District. But a subsequent poll released by Pan Atlantic Research this month showed Trump up by 7 points.
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Harris’ campaign appears to have capitalized on key campaign events, raising $172,000 in Maine on the day she took over Biden’s campaign coffers and $85,600 the following day. That was up significantly from Biden’s final day as a candidate, when he received only $6,385.
On July 25, when second gentleman Doug Emhoff held a fundraiser in Falmouth only days after Biden endorsed Harris, the campaign brought in $56,000. It’s unclear how much of that is attributed to that event.
Her campaign also cashed in after announcing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, bringing in $127,000 from Maine donors on Aug. 6 alone.
Maine Democrats were certainly feeling the joy – a central theme of the Harris campaign – during the Democratic convention in Chicago, raising nearly $155,000 from Aug. 19-22.
And Harris saw another surge in donations on Aug. 25, receiving more than $136,500 on the same day she announced that she had raised an eye-popping $540 million nationally in the first month of her candidacy.
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Mark Brewer, professor and chair of the political science department at the University of Maine Orono, said the fundraising totals reflect an enthusiasm gap among donors.
“I think this tells us two big things,” Brewer said in an email. “Harris has generated a lot of enthusiasm among donors in Maine; (and) Democratic donors are much more motivated than Republican donors in Maine this cycle.”
Trump, meanwhile, has struggled to raise money here, though he received a small surge of donations after narrowly surviving an assassination attempt in July when he was shot in the ear at a rally in Pennsylvania. From July 13-20, Trump outraised Biden in Maine, $50,000 to $46,000.
Trump also had a relatively strong surge after his debate victory over Biden, raising nearly $64,000 from June 27 to July 13. That was still less than the nearly $200,000 raised by Biden during that period, however.
Trump did not see any influx of campaign donations in Maine after announcing Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate or after the Republican National Convention.
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Schmidt said Harris probably needs the campaign money more than the former president, in part because she is still introducing herself to some voters.
“Trump of course can count on a huge amount of free advertising,” Schmidt said of the Republican’s ability to dominate the news cycle. “Everyone in the nation knows him already. There are people who say they are still undecided about how to vote, but there are very few people who say they don’t know who Trump is or what to expect from him.”
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in September 2022.
When it comes to Maine hiking, summiting Katahdin is the ultimate achievement.
Maine’s tallest mountain stands at 5,269 feet, and there are a number of different trails hikers can take to get up and down Katahdin. And while some are harder than others, none are easy.
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But the views are incredible.
Whether it’s the rugged terrain of the Knife Edge or the vast landscape of the 200,000 acres that compose Baxter State Park below, here’s a look at what it’s like to climb Katahdin.
Hunt Trail
Hunt Trail traces the edge of a ridge on the west side of Katahdin known as Hunt Spur. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDNSara Clark (front) navigates a steep section of Katahdin’s Hunt Trail, while Sam Schipani takes a break on a boulder. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDNKatahdin Stream Falls is one of the many scenic highlights of Katahdin’s Hunt Trail. It’s located about a mile from the trailhead at Katahdin Stream Campground. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN
Abol Trail
A group of friends and family hiking down Abol Trail, Katahdin. (From top to bottom) Jeff McBurnie, Janet Jordan, Eve Jordan, Kerry Jordan (far right), Bruce Jordan, Joyce Sarnacki, Aislinn Sarnacki (far left), and Gary Robinson, in 2010. Credit: Photo courtesy of Derek RunnellsHikers climb and enjoy the open views along the Abol Trail on Katahdin, the tallest mountain in Maine, on Sept. 10, 2016, in Baxter State Park. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN
Chimney Pond Trail
Bright fall foliage surrounds Derek Runnells of Dedham as he walks along a boardwalk on the Chimney Pond Trail in Baxter State Park. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN
Cathedral Trail
A rock formation on Katahdin called the Second Cathedral is seen from above on the Cathedral Trail on Sept. 27, 2014, in Baxter State Park. Peaking out behind the Cathedral is Chimney Pond, a pristine tarn at 2, 914 feet above sea level. The closest ridge on the right leads to Pamola Peak and is traversed via Dudley Trail. And the mountain range at the center of the view is South Turner, North Turner and East Turner mountains. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDNHikers approach the first Cathedral on the Cathedral Trail on Katahdin. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN
Saddle Trail
Members of the 2015 Beyond Limits Katahdin Expedition make their way down the Saddle Trail after reaching the summit of Katahdin. Six men took 10-minute turns carrying Jacquelyn Lowman ,63, — who is paraplegic — to the summit, assisting each other along the way. The expedition took a year of planning and involved the help of about 20 people, who helped with the planning, carrying food, equipment and cooking. Eleven members of the group reached the summit with Lowman. Credit: Gabor Degre / BDNClouds settle over the upper reaches of the Saddle Trail, a route the leads to the peak of Katahdin, on Aug. 10, 2012. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN
Northwest Basin Trail
BDN reporter Aislinn Sarnacki walks toward Hamlin Peak on Katahdin on the Northwest Basin Trail in Baxter State Park. Credit: Courtesy of Derek Runnells
Knife Edge
From Baxter Peak of Katahdin, hikers can enjoy a stunning view of Pamola Peak and a mile-long ridge known as Knife Edge. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDNBDN reporter Aislinn Sarnacki hikes over Knife Edge of Katahdin on July 13, 2013. The ridge becomes just a few feet wide at some points, and the mountain drops away for thousands of feet on both sides. The trail should only be hiked in good weather. Credit: Courtesy of Derek RunnellsHikers on the Knife Edge of Katahdin have few options for getting off trail to relieve themselves of human waste. Above treeline, Leave No Trace principles recommend planning ahead to avoid the necessity of going to the bathroom in fragile alpine areas, or getting off trail as far as possible to relieve themselves on rock or gravel. Credit: Courtesy of Brad Viles
Tablelands
A hiking trail winds through delicate alpine vegetation on the tablelands of Katahdin in Baxter State Park. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN
The Tablelands of Katahdin, a relatively flat area between Baxter and Hamlin peaks, is visible from Cathedral Trail on Sept. 27, 2014, in Baxter State Park. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN
South Peak
Hikers descend from South Peak on Katahdin in 2016. Credit: Courtesy of Brad Viles
Hamlin Peak
The rocky Hamlin Peak extends to the east, and beyond it are the Basin Ponds, South Turner Mountain, Katahdin Lake and the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN
Maine Township residents vote in support of purchasing building for the relocation of the township food pantry.
A proposal for Maine Township to purchase a building at 9850 Milwaukee Ave. in Glenview to move its popular and growing food pantry received strong approval at the township’s Annual Meeting held last week at the Town Hall on Ballard Road. More than 100 residents attended the meeting where they approved buying the property for $1,429,000. The 3,000 sq. ft. building, which is located within the township, had been the home of a local restaurant. It is currently vacant. In March, Supervisor Kim Jones explained that the food pantry needs more space for food and to accommodate clients who need food. “We’ve totally outgrown it,” said Jones at the time. “We’ve been looking for more than a year.” Following last week’s meeting, Jones said about the vote, “That magical moment really encapsulated the strong support system that’s been built from neighbors helping neighbors throughout our community. The food pantry has grown in leaps and bounds throughout the last five years thanks to the dedicated work of its staff, volunteers and the public.” Des Plaines City Clerk Dominik Bronakowski served as ceremonial moderator for the event. Jones also recognized a number of employees and officials who currently serve the township. They included Assessor Susan Moylan-Krey and MaineStay Youth and Family Services Director Richard Lyon for their 20 years of service to Maine. Assistant Director of MaineStreamers, Therese Tully was recognized for her 25 years of service. The meeting also recognized former Des Plaines Self-Help Closet and Pantry Director Debbie Walusiak who was presented the Sgt. Karen Lader Good Citizen Award for her more than 20 years of service to the Des Plaines community. “Debbie is an exceptional community leader and volunteer,” said township Clerk Pete Gialamas whose office runs the annual award program. “Her work with the Des Plaines community, particularly her leadership navigating the Self-Help Closet and Pantry’s 2020 move to a larger location in the midst of the COVID pandemic really shows the depth and resolve of that leadership and dedication to service.” In 2011, the clerk’s office instituted the award in honor of Lader, a resident of Des Plaines and a 15-year veteran of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police who lost her battle with cancer in 2010. She was deeply involved with the township’s Neighborhood Watch program and active in Maine’s National Night Out Against Crime event held each August. She also worked on Special Olympics and animal rescue.
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Now the fun begins, as many birds and quite a few birders return to Maine for the summer. It’s time to get organized.
Birding is generally a quiet, solitary pastime — a stroll in the park, a walk in the woods, a paddle in the marsh.
Penobscot Valley Audubon’s Neighborhood Bird Walks kick off May 6. There are 13 walks scheduled at birding hot spots in Greater Bangor throughout the month. These walks have been immensely popular since they began nine years ago.
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The benefits are many. It’s a chance to walk with experienced local guides, finding birds you might otherwise overlook. You can start to associate specific species with their preferred habitats. It’s a great opportunity to learn and practice identification skills and gather tips from others. Many participants enjoy the social camaraderie of guided bird walks.
A Baltimore oriole perches in Maine. Spring birding events take advantage of the surge in returning species. Credit: Courtesy of Bob Duchesne
I will lead two of these morning walks and probably tag along on several others. I chuckle at how easy it is to find birds in May. I’ve done these same walks so many times over the years, I usually know where different species will be before I even arrive. It’s almost like cheating.
Penobscot Valley Audubon members have already received the walk schedule in the most recent newsletter. Nonmembers can find the schedule on the chapter website at pvc.maineudubon.org. The walks are free and open to all.
Morning bird walks are fun. But for a full weekend adventure, try a birding festival. There are four great festivals to choose from.
The Wings, Waves & Woods Festival occupies the third weekend of May. Most events occur in Stonington and Deer Isle. Highlights include a Sunday visit to the Atlantic puffin colony on Seal Island, preceded by a Saturday cruise around the islands outside Stonington Harbor. I’ll be one of the guides on both.
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I must say I am particularly excited about the archipelago cruise. Last year was the first year we did it, and I was not prepared for how many winter seabirds were still loitering around the islands. The numbers and variety were astounding. This festival is ideal for seeing the overlap of Maine’s overwintering birds and newly arrived spring migrants, all on the same weekend.
A rose-breasted grosbeak perches in Maine. Migratory songbirds return in May, drawing birders to walks and festivals. Credit: Courtesy of Bob Duchesne
The Downeast Spring Birding Festival spans Memorial Day weekend. I’m awed, or maybe odd, to say I’ve been guiding for this festival ever since it began in 2003. Indeed, I led the very first walk of the first festival. That was amazing enough to convince me to keep doing it for the next 23 years.
Cobscook Institute coordinates the festival from its campus in Trescott. Events cover birding hotspots in Washington County, Campobello Island in New Brunswick and nearby offshore islands. Two different boats will visit two different puffin colonies over the weekend.
I might get an argument from the organizers of other festivals, but I personally think this one is the birdiest for two reasons. Memorial Day weekend is about the time the last returning migrants pass through Washington County, adding to the number of songbirds that have already established breeding territories for the summer. The Cobscook Bay area also has some of the most diverse habitat in the state, creating opportunities to see a wide variety of species in a relatively compact area.
The Acadia Birding Festival is the granddaddy of them all. Now in its 27th year, it’s the biggest of Maine’s festivals and attracts nationally recognized guides and speakers. It offers the advantage of birding in and around Acadia National Park.
The official dates for the festival are May 28-31, but three pre-festival trips are offered: one to Monhegan Island, one to Saddleback Mountain near Rangeley seeking the elusive Bicknell’s thrush and one to visit the puffins on Petit Manan, with a second post-festival trip to Petit Manan also available.
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And now for something completely different: The Rangeley Birding Festival. The mountainous forests of western Maine host a different selection of bird species compared to the three coastal festivals. This is the realm of Canada jays, boreal chickadees, black-backed woodpeckers and that elusive Bicknell’s thrush.
By June 5-7, when this festival occurs, spring migration is over. Birds have settled into their nesting territories, where they can be predictably found. Very few organized events introduce birders to the boreal forest, so this festival has its own unique appeal.
