Shenna Bellows on Government Reform

	Shenna Bellows on Government Reform

Attempted to keep Trump off ballot as insurrectionist

As Maine's top election official, Bellows made national headlines and faced threats of impeachment over her decision to unilaterally ban then-candidate Donald Trump from Maine's presidential primary ballot, citing the Constitution's insurrection clause. Bellows eventually withdrew that disqualification following an appeal from Trump and a U.S. Supreme Court decision on a similar effort in Colorado. Source: WMTW.com, "Launch," on 2026 Maine Gubernatorial race , Mar 27, 2025

Funding her campaign $5 at a time from local events

71% of Mainers still don't know who she is, and she has been adamant about funding her campaign $5 at a time from local events such as the one at the Machias Grange. Passionate about local food systems and working people, the tactic may work for her. She is looking for the type of grassroots involvement that rural Maine runs on.

Saying that she would like to be the Elizabeth Warren of civil liberties she states, "You will always know where I stand and I will always listen to your opinions."

Source: Machias Valley News Observer on 2014 Maine Senate race , Dec 4, 2013

Same-day voter registration for Maine & federally

Bellows is urging passage of federal same day voter registration legislation. "Maine voters endorsed same day voter registration at the polls in 2011, and Congress should follow Maine's lead," said Bellows. "The attack on voting rights nationwide threatens our democracy, and it's time that good people from all parties take a stand to protect our voting rights. I pledge to work with Republicans and Democrats alike to modernize our voter registration systems, just like I did on the 2011 Protect Maine Votes campaign."

Bellows co-chaired the 2011 Protect Maine Votes referendum campaign to restore same day voter registration when Republicans in the legislature struck it down in 2011. Maine has enjoyed same day voter registration since 1973, and it consistently enjoys one of the highest voter participation rates in the country. Voter participation for the 10 states with same day voter registration is higher than states without same day voter registration.

Source: 2014 Senate campaign website press release, "Same Day" , Nov 5, 2013

Role in campaign to restore same-day voter registration

Bellows, 38, has strong credentials in some Maine political circles for her high-profile roles in recent campaigns to legalize same-sex marriage and restore same-day voter registration. Her candidacy appears to have energized some Democrats in a race overshadowed so far by the races for governor and Maine's 2nd Congressional District seat. As executive director of the civil liberties union, Bellows was often front and center during legislative debates over constitutional issues. Source: Kevin Miller in The Morning Sentinel / Press Herald , Oct 24, 2013

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*Other governors on Government Reform:*			*Shenna Bellows on other issues:*
*ME Gubernatorial:* Angus King Paul LePage *ME Senatorial:* Angus King Betsy Sweet David Costello Demi Kouzounas Sara Gideon Susan Rice	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4. Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4. Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate). Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025) Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]