Matt Junker

19 posts

Matt Junker is an elections and government reporter for The Maine Monitor, focusing on the state's electoral process and decision-making in Augusta. He previously spent more than seven years at the Bangor Daily News, most recently as sports editor after several years working as the paper's deputy opinion editor.

He grew up in Kennebunkport and now lives in Brewer. Earlier in his career, he was a weekly and daily reporter at several publications in southern and central Maine. Prior to becoming a journalist, he spent four years in Washington, D.C. working in the office of U.S. Senator Angus King.

Contact Matt with questions, concerns or story ideas: maMEMONtt themainemonitor org

Bobby Charles said he is transparent but hasn’t released a full personal financial statement

The Republican nominee for governor is demanding transparency from other candidates, while his campaign has not sent his personal financial disclosure to The Maine Monitor as it said it would.

ByMatt Junker

October 8, 2026

Here’s how ranked-choice voting will work in Maine’s 2026 election

Ranked-choice voting will be used in the contests for U.S. Senate and the 2nd Congressional District, but not in the governor’s race.

ByMatt Junker

September 25, 2026

Maine ethics staff want to require candidates for governor to file personal financial statements

The proposed change follows reporting by The Maine Monitor this summer that highlighted an inconsistency in the state’s financial disclosure requirements.

ByMatt Junker

September 23, 2026

composite image of Troy Jackson and Susan Collins.

Susan Collins and Troy Jackson have both navigated family lobbying ties, under different rules

It’s been nearly 20 years since the federal government put some restrictions on lobbying by family members. Maine and other states haven’t followed suit.

ByMatt Junker

September 8, 2026

image of the US Capitol with portions of finance documents layered on top

Voters know less about Troy Jackson’s finances than any other major U.S. Senate nominee

The Democrats’ replacement nominee hasn’t yet had to file information that’s typically available already for most Senate candidates.

ByMatt Junker

September 8, 2026

Former Maine congressional candidate admits mistake in GoFundMe appeal for donations

This week, after an inquiry from The Maine Monitor, Paige Loud changed the language on a fundraising page to make clear she was trying to cover personal expenses, not pay off campaign debt.

ByMatt Junker

July 30, 2026

Troy Jackson smiles while standing at the podium during the convention.

‘Somewhere between a highwire act and a moonlanding’: Maine Democrats chose Troy Jackson in unprecedented U.S. Senate nomination

Maine Democrats used an unfamiliar process to choose a familiar face as their replacement nominee for one of the most closely watched races in the country.

ByJosh Keefe Matt Junker

July 25, 2026