On November 3, Maine voters will head to the polls to elect a new governor, a United States. senator, United States representatives, members of the state legislature and municipal officials. With control of Congress at stake and Governor Janet Mills having reached the consecutive term limit, this year’s midterm elections will shape Maine’s political representation at the local, state and federal levels.

On Election Day, Brunswick residents can vote at the Brunswick Recreation Center, located at 220 Neptune Drive, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The town has relocated its polling site from the Brunswick Junior High School, with the Brunswick Link bus service providing free transportation to the Recreation Center throughout the day and Bowdoin Votes coordinating rides to the polls for Bowdoin students.

Maine allows same-day voter registration, meaning eligible residents can register or update their addresses at the polls. Absentee ballots, once completed, must be returned to the municipal clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Maine uses ranked choice voting in federal elections with more than two candidates. Voters rank candidates by preference, and if no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Their votes are then redistributed according to subsequent preferences until one candidate receives a majority. Voters are not required to rank every candidate.

U.S. Congressional Elections

U.S. Senate

Republican incumbent Susan Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson in a nationally watched race that could decide which party controls the Senate.

Collins, who has represented Maine in the Senate since 1997, emphasizes lowering healthcare costs, securing federal funding for Maine’s economy and protecting Social Security. Jackson, a former Maine Senate President who served in the state legislature for approximately two decades, advocates for expanding healthcare access, protecting reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights and providing tax relief to working-class Americans.

U.S. House of Representatives

Democratic incumbent Chellie Pingree is seeking reelection to southern Maine’s 1st Congressional District seat against Republican Ron Russell, whom she defeated in 2024.

Pingree, who has represented the district since 2009, prioritizes affordable housing and healthcare, reproductive rights and environmental protections, alongside supporting Maine’s small businesses, farms and working waterfronts. Russell, a retired U.S. Army colonel and former Green Beret, campaigns on strengthening border security, lowering taxes, reducing energy costs and expanding state and local control over education.

Maine Gubernatorial Election

Three candidates are vying to succeed Governor Janet Mills, who is barred from seeking a third consecutive term.

Richard “Rick” Bennett is running as an “Independent for a Better Maine,” with a campaign focused on fighting corruption and improving the affordability of healthcare, childcare and energy. A member of the Maine Senate, Bennett previously served as both the President of the Maine Senate and the Chair of the Maine Republican Party.

Republican candidate Robert “Bobby” Charles previously served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs from 2003-2005. Most recently, Charles worked in consulting in Washington D.C. at a firm he founded, The Charles Group. Charles’ priorities include fighting crime, supporting the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Maine, cutting the state income tax and increasing curriculum transparency.

Democrat Hannah Pingree served in the Maine House of Representatives for eight years, most recently as the Speaker of the House from 2008-2010. From 2019-2025, she served as Director of the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future under Governor Janet Mills. Pingree looks to improve Maine’s education system, climate action policy and healthcare access.

State Legislative Elections

Maine State Senate

Democrat incumbent Mattie Daughtry, Maine’s current Senate president, faces Republican Bernard “Ben” Porter to represent District 23 (including Brunswick, Chebeague Island, Freeport, Harpswell, Pownal and part of Yarmouth).

Daughtry pledges to continue working on tax reform, education funding and affordability. Porter, who spent ten years working in cybersecurity at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, is dedicated to supporting law enforcement, fighting corruption and investing in education to prepare graduates.

Maine State House of Representatives

Brunswick is split across three state House districts, with candidates varying according to voters’ residential addresses.

In District 99, Democratic incumbent Cheryl Golek faces Republican Braeden Webber. Golek advocates for affordable housing, disability rights and improved healthcare access, while Webber, who grew up around Harpswell’s lobstering industry, emphasizes lowering living costs, expanding housing opportunities and supporting Maine’s fishing industry.

Democratic incumbent Dan Ankeles is seeking reelection in District 100, which includes much of Bowdoin’s campus, against Republican Brett Barrett. Ankeles prioritizes housing affordability, clean water infrastructure and environmental protections. Barrett, a Brunswick resident who works in construction, has not publicly detailed specific policy priorities.

In District 101, Democratic incumbent Poppy Arford faces Republican Ravi Jackson. Arford has emphasized affordable healthcare, reducing prescription drug costs and strengthening public education, while Jackson, a Brunswick small-business owner, advocates for fiscal responsibility, government accountability and addressing local infrastructure needs.

Brunswick Municipal Elections

Town Council

Incumbent Jennifer Hicks is running unopposed for reelection in District 5, emphasizing affordability, community involvement in local decision-making and government responsiveness. Incumbent Steven Weems is also running unopposed in District 7, with priorities including managing development, limiting property tax increases and improving Brunswick’s recycling and waste management systems.

Former council chair Sarah Brayman faces Robert Moulton for a three-year at-large seat. Brayman, who previously served on the council from 2012 to 2017, prioritizes affordability, government transparency and environmental protection. Moulton, a local contractor, emphasizes fair property taxes, public involvement in town decisions and development that aligns with Brunswick’s character.

Three candidates are competing in a special election for a one-year at-large seat ending December 31, 2027. Former councilor Nathaniel Shed advocates for affordable housing, advancing Brunswick’s climate goals and supporting downtown businesses. Jennifer Navarro emphasizes fiscal responsibility, transparent governance and development that accounts for the town’s existing infrastructure. Paul Whitcomb, who has opposed the town’s proposed public works fuel station, advocates for stronger environmental protections and a pause on development.

School Board

Three incumbent School Board members are seeking reelection without opposition: W. Benjamin Walsh in District 5, Sarah Singer in District 7 and William Thompson for an at-large seat.

Additional information about candidates and voting procedures is available through the Brunswick Town Clerk’s Office and the Maine Secretary of State.