Gordon L. Weil

71 posts

Gordon L. Weil has been active in politics, journalism, publishing and energy consulting. A graduate of Bowdoin College, he has a master’s degree from the College of Europe (Belgium), and a Ph.D. from Columbia. He is an Army veteran.

He was a top aide to U.S. Sen. George McGovern during his run for president. In Maine, he served as Commissioner of Business Regulation, Director of the Office of Energy Resources and the state’s first Public Advocate. He was a Harpswell selectman. He led the negotiations that created the unified New England power grid and chaired the national organization of state energy agencies.

He reported for the Washington Post, Newsweek, London’s Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal and WNET (New York). His weekly commentary has appeared in Maine newspapers since 2008. He has written or edited 16 books or collections ranging from the biography of Sears, Roebuck to the three-volume U.S. Supreme Court original jurisdiction decisions. His company, sold in 2005, was the largest publisher of state government regulatory codes.

A sign that reads Vote Here outside of a polling location

Navigating Super Tuesday in a world of social media disinformation

The disinformation efforts being made through social media to influence the 2020 election are eroding confidence in our political system and weakening our country.

ByGordon L. Weil

February 27, 2020

two signs about a sears location closing

Brunswick Sears store closes, sign of major economic change

The closing of Sears stores is a warning that anticipating change and adjusting to an electronic, service-oriented economy is urgently needed.

ByGordon L. Weil

February 20, 2020

Tax cuts yield exploding federal debt, Maine road decay

Tax cuts and the rapidly growing federal debt are part of the reason many Maine roads and bridges fall far below the standard of safety and comfort.

ByGordon L. Weil

February 12, 2020

Janet Mills speaks during a press conference

Governor Mills makes rare offer to Legislature

Seeking legislative guidance, Gov. Mills has asked state lawmakers to ensure "utilities are accountable and answerable to the people of Maine.”

ByGordon L. Weil

January 30, 2020

Susan Collins stands at a podium and prepares to speak into a microphone at an election debate

In context, Collins’ ‘least popular’ rating may be misleading

Once a respected moderate, Susan Collins is now the least popular Senator in D.C. What do recent poll results say about her re-election chances?

ByGordon L. Weil

January 23, 2020

Composite image showing Susan Collins and Jared Golden.

This year’s political events will make history

Here's a look at the critical dates in what promises to be an unusually important political year here in Maine and across the country.

ByGordon L. Weil

January 16, 2020

Trump’s impeachment trial places Collins in historic squeeze

With her base of moderate supporters nearly gone, Susan Collins faces an impeachment vote that will define her 2020 campaign and her future in politics.

ByGordon L. Weil

December 5, 2019