PORTLAND (WGME) – The race to represent the Democratic Party in the quest for the Blaine House remains incredibly close as the votes roll in Tuesday night.

Dr. Nirav Shah holds a slight lead over the rest of the field, but he may not stay there.

If no one gets to 50 percent of the vote, plus one vote, the race will go to ranked choice, and polls have suggested that former House Speaker Hannah Pingree could be a strong contender there.

She says she feels that way after going to hundreds of town halls and forums across the state and listening to the concerns of Maine families who are struggling in this economy.

She spoke to supporters at her watch party Tuesday night.

“Maine people are worried about what’s happening in this state and in this country. They’re worried about the rights that they might lose. And they want a governor who is tough,” Pingree said. “People are struggling right now. With the cost of housing, healthcare, childcare, energy, property taxes, you all know these things.”

“I think it’s going to be a huge year for Democrats,” Maine Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Shenna Bellows said. “We saw Democrats running out of primary ballots in Yarmouth, in Portland, multiple times. Clerks having to rush new ballots into the polling place. That’s a great sign when you see a record turnout like that.”

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (WGME)

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Shah, members of his team, and voters celebrated what they call a successful campaign Tuesday night.

He thanked the hundred or so supporters in attendance who have helped him get to Tuesday.

Shah says there are several pressing issues facing Maine, including affordability, the housing crisis and healthcare.

He hopes to be the man to tackle these issues head-on.

Shah told voters not to expect a final result Tuesday night.

While Shah expects the election to come down to rank choice voting, he insists this is only the beginning of his campaign.

“People in Maine have seen me show up, particularly during difficult times, and that is more relevant now than it ever has been,” Shah said. “This campaign is just getting started, and we are not going to stop until Election Day.”

Shah’s campaign says if he’s elected as governor in November, he would be first South Asian Democratic governor in United States history.

It is doubtful that any of the Democrats or Republicans running for governor will get more than 50 percent of the vote Tuesday night.

Mainers likely won’t know who will win the primary in the governor’s race until sometime next week.

Central Maine Power customers will see some relief in electric costs this summer after state utility regulators approved new distribution rates for the company.

The new prices reflect CMP’s revenue needs after the company paid more than a $100 million spent to recover from damaging winter storms in 2023 and 2024.

Households using an average of 550 kilowatt hours a month should save about $8.55 on their bills, according to the Maine Public Utilities Commission. The new prices go into effect July 1.

Commissioners also rejected CMP’s request to delay enacting new distribution prices while the agency considers the company’s separate rate case.

“It is uncertain when temporary rates may be approved or at what amount, but at a time when customers are struggling with high costs across the economy I cannot support a delay in rate relief,” said Commission Chair Phil Bartlett.

Electric prices in Maine have soared in recent years, because of expensive storm recovery, volatile natural gas prices and financial incentives for a community solar farm program, among other factors.

Maine Public Advocate Heather Sanborn said the rate reduction was welcome for electric customers dealing with high costs.

Sanborn said the commission’s decision to pay off a $20 million “storm recovery balance.” The account is basically money loaned to ratepayer by CMP that is owed to the company with carrying costs of about $140,000 per month, according to the PUC.

“That is a lot of interest every year that we have been paying,” Sanborn said.

Central Maine Power has submitted a proposal for new rates that would raise prices about $18 a month, according to the PUC.

In its rate proposal, CMP said it needs more revenue to help harden its infrastructure to future storms, improve reliability and hire full time staff to avoid hiring expensive contractors.

Even though the company is asking for higher rates, it says the package will amount to a slight decrease for customers because it has repaid storm recovery.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the rate adjustment approved by the PUC.

Outdoors
The BDN outdoors section brings readers into the woods, waters and wild places of Maine. It features stories on hunting, fishing, wildlife, conservation and recreation, told by people who live these experiences. This section emphasizes hands-on knowledge, field reports, issues, trends and the traditions that define life outside in Maine. Read more Outdoors stories here. 

The weeks after ice-out are prime time for trout and salmon fishing in Maine.

While many anglers rely on live smelts, tandem streamer flies or classic lures like DB Smelts and Mooselook Wobblers, several Maine companies are producing lures that catch plenty of fish of their own.

I reached out to four Maine lure makers and asked them to send me their best catches from the last month, along with the lure that caught them.

Here’s what they sent.

Pine State Sports Supply

Owned by Justin Blouin and based in Lisbon, Pine State Sports Supply was founded in 2023. The company offers several styles of spoons and plugs designed to imitate smelt, dace, shiners, alewives and other baitfish. All trolling spoons are made by hand.

The Harry Lure 

The Harry Lure is owned by Adam Bergeron. Founded by Harry Ellison, the lure was developed on New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee. Bergeron moved the company to Kennebunk and began stamping lures there in March 2024. Unlike traditional concave spoons, the flat lure is designed to swing side to side and flash light as it moves through the water.

Northeast Troller

Founded by Christian Carlson in 2016, Northeast Troller produces custom trolling and casting spoons from its shop in Thorndike. Carlson, who is also a taxidermist, began making spoons as a passion project and thank-you gift for his clients. The spoons are CAD-designed, painted and assembled in Thorndike, and tested on the water before production.

Dream Catcher Lures 

Dream Catcher Lures are made by Jesse Dicker in Lincoln. Established in 2020, the company produces a variety of lures for salmon, lake trout and other species.

Its lineup includes a smelt series, trout casting and trolling spoons, dodgers, jerkbaits, bass poppers, jigs and worm-bait rigs.

Earlier this spring, Registered Maine Guides Jake Rackliff and Adam Bergeron landed a 10-pound rainbow trout on a Dream Catcher Lures Solid Pink UV.