Maine Elected Official Scorecards

U.S. House of Representatives

Jared Golden

Grade: F

  • Town Halls / Public Accessibility - Golden has not held a traditional in-person town hall in years, despite constituent demands.

  • Economic Leadership - Introduced the BUILT USA Act in early 2025 proposing a universal 10% tariff on all imports: a reckless plan that would raise consumer costs, hurt American businesses, and worsen the national debt, exposing the deep hypocrisy behind his “Blue Dog” fiscal moderate claims.

  • Democratic Values / Protecting Democracy - Voted against the Build Back Better Act, citing concerns over tax provisions, thereby opposing a significant part of President Biden’s agenda.

  • Healthcare, Housing, Education - Opposed major Democratic packages aimed at expanding healthcare and housing access, including the Build Back Better Act.

  • Government Accountability and Reform - Criticized constituents’ calls for town halls as “buzzy” and “politically motivated,” dismissing grassroots concerns.

Chellie Pingree

Grade : B-

  • Town Halls / Public Accessibility - 8 years without a public town hall. Only resumed in-person town halls in 2025 after public pressure, holding just two events in Camden and Westbrook respectively. Says she will hold more, but no confirmation as of yet.

  • Economic Leadership - Supports working-class initiatives but has not led significant efforts on wage increases or union protections.

  • Democratic Values / Protecting Democracy - Consistently votes in line with Democratic values but lacks a strong public stance against rising authoritarian threats.

  • Healthcare, Housing, Education - Supports healthcare and housing initiatives but has not championed bold reforms in these areas.

  • Government Accountability and Reform - Engages with constituents but tends to avoid addressing challenging questions directly.

U.S. Senate

Susan Collins

Grade: D-

  • Town Halls / Public Accessibility - Has not held an open town hall in over 25 years, preferring controlled events and meetings.

  • Economic Leadership - As Senate Appropriations Chair, Collins has failed to deliver significant economic benefits for Maine’s key industries — and nationally, under her leadership, critical funding for farmers, defense workers, and public infrastructure has stalled or fallen short.

  • Democratic Values / Protecting Democracy - Voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial, but earlier voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court despite serious concerns over sexual misconduct allegations and threats to Roe v. Wade.

  • Healthcare, Housing, Education - Has a history of voting against the Affordable Care Act and other healthcare expansions. Though did vote to protect Social Security.

  • Government Accountability and Reform - Often presents a moderate image in Maine while aligning with GOP leadership in Washington, leading to criticisms of inconsistency.

Angus King

Grade: C

  • Town Halls / Public Accessibility - Holds public events, though often in structured formats limiting open constituent engagement.

  • Economic Leadership - Advocates for rural broadband expansion and economic development but has shown limited resistance to corporate lobbying influences.

  • Democratic Values / Protecting Democracy - Generally opposes Trumpism but emphasizes bipartisanship, sometimes at the expense of stronger Democratic positions.

  • Healthcare, Housing, Education - Supported healthcare expansions but has been cautious on aggressive housing and education reforms.

  • Government Accountability and Reform - Known for independence but often exercises caution when bold leadership is required.

About this Scorecard:

This report reflects an evaluation of Maine’s elected officials based on five key pillars central to the Blue Anchor Project’s mission: public accessibility and town halls, economic leadership, protection of democratic values, support for healthcare, housing, and education, and commitment to real government accountability.

Grades were determined by both public records and direct feedback gathered from voters at community events, town halls, and conversations across the state.