A banner denoting this is a voter guide for Penobscot County.

Here’s a look at what’s on the ballot in Penobscot County this November. For information on how and where to vote, see our resources page. If you have questions about the upcoming election, please contact your town clerk.

Not sure who represents you? Input your address to find your elected representatives.

County races

In Penobscot County, the following county offices are elected: Judge of Probate, Register of Probate, County Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Sheriff, County Commissioner (three seats), and District Attorney. You can read about what each of these offices do by clicking the dropdowns below.

County commissioners are elected to oversee county government operations in each of Maine’s 16 counties, from the budget to the county jail to emergency management services. In recent years, they have been responsible for distributing millions of dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act and opioid settlement funds.

Counties have either three, five or seven commissioners, each of whom serves a separate district within the county. This year, Franklin County is expanding from three to five commissioners to reflect its growing population.

Commissioners serve four-year terms. At least two county commissioners in each county are on the ballot this November. Of the 37 county commissioner seats up this year, only 15 are contested races.

The sheriff is the top law enforcement officer in the county, responsible for enforcing laws and ensuring public safety. The sheriff oversees the county jail, manages deputies and other staff, and works with other law enforcement agencies.

Duties include enforcing state and local laws, providing security for county courts, serving legal documents and executing warrants. A county sheriff can be either appointed or elected. This year, the sheriff position is up for election in Aroostook, Franklin, Kennebec and Sagadahoc counties.

There has been some concern over mental health training protocols within sheriff departments across the state in the wake of the Lewiston shooting. 

Treasurers are the bookkeepers of a county’s finances: they manage county expenditures, ensuring funds are spent where directed by county commissioners, and provide annual reports on county revenues.

Androscoggin, Cumberland and Knox county commissioners all appoint their treasurers, while voters in the rest of Maine’s counties elect their treasurer every four years. Only the Waldo County treasurer is up for election this November.

County treasurers must be residents of their county but do not require any licenses or qualifications. This caused some controversy in 2018, when Hancock County elected a treasurer without finance experience.

Probate judges oversee wills, estates, name changes and guardianships of adults and minors. They must be attorneys and are elected to four-year terms. Maine’s probate courts operate independently in each county, and the judges are generally part-time elected officials.

Probate judges handle disputes related to wills and estates, approve the appointment of guardians (who have the authority to make decisions for adults the court deems incapacitated), and hear cases related to trusts and adoptions.

Probate judges are up for reelection this year in nine counties: Aroostook, Kennebec, Lincoln, Oxford, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo and York.

Samantha Hogan’s Maine Monitor series on Maine’s probate courts, which won her a Livingston Award for Young Journalists, uncovered systemic problems. Among her findings were that the probate courts do not employ investigators to check on adults under guardianships or conduct financial audits, and that eight adults under public guardianship died in unexplained ways in three years.

A register of probate serves as the custodian and record-keeper for all documentation relating to wills, guardianships and conservatorships, adoptions, trusts and name changes filed with a county’s probate office.

Paramount among the register’s responsibilities is ensuring that all documents, from name-change petitions to the transfer of real estate dictated by a will, are properly recorded and submitted into the public record. Among the register’s other duties are to certify and record name changes and account for and report to the county treasurer all fees paid to the probate office.

This year, registers of probate are on the ballot in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Oxford, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo and York counties. 

The register of deeds is responsible for managing county property records: recording all documents and survey plans that affect property in the county as well as maintaining an index of buyers’ and sellers’ names.

Some countries are now providing fraud alerts as scams in which people attempt to sell or mortgage a property by impersonating an owner are growing.

The register of deeds is appointed in Androscoggin, Cumberland and Knox counties, and elected every four years in Maine’s other 13 counties. This year, only the Somerset register of deeds is on the ballot.

District attorneys are prosecutors that represent the government against people who have been charged with a crime, and are responsible for prosecuting the majority of criminal cases that occur within their districts (there’s an exception for murders, which are handled by the attorney general’s office).

After police charge an individual with a crime, the district attorney’s office determines whether there is enough evidence to bring a charge to court. Maine has a large backlog of criminal cases and is building a new network of public defender’s offices across the state to represent poor clients in cases brought by the district attorney’s offices.

All of the state’s eight district attorneys are elected to serve four-year terms and are up for reelection in 2026; none are on the ballot this year. 

Here are the state’s eight prosecutorial districts and district attorneys: 

First District — York: Kathryn Slattery

Second District — Cumberland: Jacqueline Sartoris

Third District — Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford: Neil McLean Jr.

Fourth District — Kennebec and Somerset: Maeghan Maloney

Fifth District — Penobscot and Piscataquis: Christopher Almy

Sixth District — Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and Waldo: Natasha Irving

Seventh District — Hancock and Washington: Robert C. Granger

Eighth District — Aroostook: Todd Collins

This year, there are three county races on the ballot: two county commission seats and register of probate. You can read about the candidates and see how they responded to our county office candidate survey by clicking on the races below.

Hilari K. Simmons, of Bangor, has two children and has worked in the healthcare compliance field for more than 25 years and is also an instructor at Beal University.

Tell us a bit about your relevant experience for this position.

With a strong background in teaching and healthcare compliance, I bring valuable experience relevant to the position of Register of Probate. My extensive career in the healthcare field has equipped me with a deep understanding of compliance, regulations, and organizational management. As an educator at a local university, I have honed my skills in communication, leadership, and administration, which are crucial for effectively managing the responsibilities of the Register of Probate.

Why should voters choose you?

As a candidate for the position of Register of Probate Court, I am driven by a deep commitment to our community. I believe that your active participation and understanding are crucial in ensuring that the probate process is transparent, efficient, and accessible to all.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the office you are running for, and how do you plan on addressing it?

The biggest challenge facing the Register of Probate office is ensuring timely and accurate processing of probate cases amidst increasing caseloads and limited resources. This includes managing estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes efficiently while maintaining excellent service quality.

Anything else you think voters should know?

In summary, my candidacy for the Register of Probate Court is rooted in a genuine desire to serve our community, uphold the law, and ensure that probate proceedings are fair, efficient, and respectful of everyone involved. I humbly request your support in this endeavor.

Renée M. Stupak, of Bangor, is the incumbent. She has served as Register of Probate for 10 years. Stupak is a lifelong resident of the Bangor area and graduated from Brewer High School and Husson University. She has worked in Penobscot County government for 17 years.

Tell us a bit about your relevant experience for this position.

I have been the Register for 10 years, working along side OCFS, Office of Child and Family services, DHHS/OADS (adult services), adoption agencies, and the legal community. All matters probate — adoptions, adult and child guardianships, name changes. I am a member of MARP, the Maine Association of Registers of Probate.

Why should voters choose you?

10 years experience as Register. The Register of Probate is a non-partisan, full time position, and extremely complex. Running this office requires a deep knowledge of Maine Law. Many cases are emergency matters and often involve the health and safety of children and adults. A close working relationship with all agencies involved is time sensitive and crucial. I have that experience.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the office you are running for, and how do you plan on addressing it?

As Register, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of court appointed attorneys that has plagued Maine courts. The last couple years Maine state courts raised their hourly rate to $150 an hour, making it even more challenging to find attorneys. Probate courts run on a shoestring budget, and can only work with what we have. The very few attorneys we have do it out of the kindness of their heart, not the money. Only recently, after two years, was I able to negotiate $150 an hour. This was after myself and our Judge made a final argument to the commissions that something needs to be done. The amount of contested cases the last couple years in this court has almost doubled. I sent a letter to the President of the Penobscot County Bar Association asking for help. This week she sent the letter. Within 24 hours, I had 4 inquiries. Problem addressed.

Anything else you think voters should know?

So many….

Daniel Tremble, of Bangor, served two terms on the Bangor City Council and has also served as treasurer for Penobscot County, board chair for the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce and board chair for Penquis. He graduated from Bangor High School and received a degree from the University of Maine in public administration. Tremble owns Fairmount Market. 

Tell us a bit about your relevant experience for this position.

Previously served 12 years as county treasurer and currently on the Bangor city council. In 14th year on council and previously served twice as mayor. Previously served as board chair of Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Penquis CAP, and the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce.

Why should voters choose you?

As a former county official and current city council member I know the issues facing the county and also how to achieve results working together.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the office you are running for, and how do you plan on addressing it?

The county has put off dealing with an overcrowded and unsafe jail for too long. It needs to be the top priority with a plan by early 2025. It would likely be 2027 until a new facility is ready. We need to reach out to all the municipalities in the county to explain why this is necessary and justify the cost.

Anything else you think voters should know?

No answer provided for this question.

Cary Weston, of Newport, is the former Bangor mayor and served two terms on the Bangor City Council. Weston is a founding partner of the marketing agency Sutherland Weston and the host of The ChatGPT Experiment podcast.

Tell us a bit about your relevant experience for this position.

Business owner for more than 25 years; Former Mayor and two-term city councilor. Youth sports coach, past and present member of a variety of boards and committees. I understand our community and want to continue to contribute in a meaningful way.

Why should voters choose you?

see above.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the office you are running for, and how do you plan on addressing it?

The largest challenge that needs to be addressed immediately is the crowded, crumbling, and costly Penobscot County Jail.

Addressing that need will not only allow the operation to become a better use of Taxpayer money, but will allow essential services to be administered efficiently and effectively.

Anything else you think voters should know?

You can’t make a difference if you don’t participate. Get out and vote!

Andre Cushing, of Bangor, is the incumbent. He is a real estate agent and has served in the Maine House of Representatives, the state Senate and on numerous boards. Cushing has been fined in the past for ethics violations, including in 2018, when he was forced to step down from his role as Assistant Senate Majority Leader, and in 2023 as chairperson of the Penobscot County Commissioners.

Cushing did not respond to The Monitor’s survey.

Senate races

The Maine Senate is the upper chamber of the Maine Legislature and has 35 elected members. Senate terms are two years, and senators are limited to four consecutive terms. Counties can consist of multiple districts, which may cross county lines.

Running for the seat are Trey Stewart (R) and Matthew Rush (D).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Bradlee Farrin (R) and Ethan Brownell (D).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Stacey Guerin (R) and Richard Evans (D).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Michael Tipping (D) and Leo Kenney (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Joseph Baldacci (D) and Richard Cyr (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Michele Daniels (D) and David Haggan (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

House races 

The Maine House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Maine Legislature, has 151 elected members. Representatives are elected for a two-year term, and are limited to four consecutive terms. Counties consist of multiple districts, which may cross county lines.

Running for the seat are Tracy Quint (R) and Nicole Collins (D).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat is Matthew McIntyre (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat is Richard Campbell (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Dani O’Halloran (D) and Patrick Jude (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Ambureen Rana (D), Reda Edelman (R) and Colby Lapointe (I).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Laura Supica (D) and Colleen O’Neal (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Amy Roeder (D) and Justin Cartier (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Joseph Perry (D) and Daniel Lapointe (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Laurie Osher (D) and Thomas Casey (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are James Dill (D) and Christina Ouellette (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Gary Drinkwater (R) and Peter Crockett (D).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Irene Gifford (R) and Natalie DiPentino (D).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Kathy Javner (R) and Laurie York (D).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat is Steven Foster (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat is Kenneth Fredette (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat is Abigail Griffin (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat is James Thorne (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Running for the seat are Shelby Wright (I) and Kimberly Haggan (R).

To learn more about this legislative district, visit our statehouse directory. On election night, the page will display real-time race results.

Federal races

This November, Maine voters will see three federal races on the ballot: the presidential race, a U.S. Senate race, and a U.S. House of Representatives race.

U.S. President & Vice President

Foremost for many this election is the presidential race. Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden dropped out in July, is running alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. She is facing former president Donald Trump, who chose Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate.

In an arrangement unique to Maine and Nebraska, Maine awards two electoral votes based on the statewide total and one for each congressional district. In 2020, Joe Biden won three of Maine’s four electoral votes, carrying Maine overall with 9 percentage points and the 1st congressional district by 23 percentage points. The 2nd congressional district went for Donald Trump by 7 percentage points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won three of the four electoral votes, carrying the state by 3 percentage points, and Trump was awarded one for the 2nd congressional district.

Candidates:
Kamala Harris & Tim Walz (D)
Donald Trump & J.D. Vance (R)
Chase Oliver & Mike ter Maat (L)
Jill Stein & Rudolph Ware (G)
Cornel West & Melina Abdullah (Justice for All Party)

Declared write-in candidates:
Shiva Ayyadurai & Crystal Ellis (I)
Claudia De la Cruz & Karina Garcia (Party for Socialism & Liberation)
Robert Dyer & Daniel Whitten (Defenders of America Party)
Peter Sonski & Lauren Onak (American Solidarity Party)

U.S. Senate

Senator Angus King, the incumbent, has held this seat as an Independent since January 2013, and served as Maine’s governor from 1995 to 2003. (He has voted overwhelmingly in line with Democrats over the years.) Jason Cherry, a former criminal defense attorney and FBI special agent, is also running for the seat as an Independent. Long-time government employee David Costello is running as a Democrat. Former Maine GOP chair Demi Kouzounas is running as a Republican. Senator Susan Collins, a Republican who has held her seat since 1997, is not on the ballot this year; she is up for re-election in 2026.

Candidates:
Angus King (I)
Demi Kouzounas (R)
Jason Cherry (I)
David Costello (D)

U.S. House of Representatives — 2nd District

Both of Maine’s congressional districts are on the ballot this November. Voters in Penobscot County are in the 2nd Congressional District. Jared Golden, a Democrat, is the incumbent, having served in the seat since January 2019. Austin Theriault, a Republican, is a former NASCAR driver and has been a state representative since 2022.

Candidates:
Jared Golden (D)
Austin Theriault (R)

Declared write-in candidates:
Diana Merenda (U)

State Referendum Questions

There are five statewide referendum questions that will appear on the ballot this November:

An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures: Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?

This question, which stems from a citizen initiative, asks whether voters want to impose a cap on contributions to super PACs, political action committees that raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for or against political candidates. Supporters of the measure believe it would curb the amount of dark money influencing elections, and expect it to be challenged in court. 

An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization: Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing?

This question, a bond issue that stems from a bill passed earlier this year, asks whether voters want to designate funds to the Maine Technology Institute to bolster scientific research and technological innovation among public and private organizations.

An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings: Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources?

This question, a bond issue that stems from a bill passed earlier this year, asks whether voters want to designate funds to the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, which will offer grants to nonprofits and government agencies looking to restore historic buildings in their communities.

An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation: Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions?

This question, a bond issue that stems from a bill passed earlier this year, asks whether voters want to designate funds to create the Maine Trails Program, which would develop and maintain trails across the state designated for activities such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and horseback riding; for ATVs and snowmobiles; and for both kinds of use.

An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag: Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State?

This question, which stems from a bill passed last year, asks whether voters want to replace the current flag — blue with a coat of arms featuring a farmer and a fisherman — with the former pine tree and blue star design that was in use before 1909. The Secretary of State held a contest for the model flag design and selected a winner in August.