Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
37.5%
29.3%
11%
Democrat
Joe Baldacci
Democrat
Joe Baldacci
ME-02 Democratic nominee?
$21.8K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
Age61 years old (Feb 21, 1965)
GenderMale
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LocationMaine
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of Maine, B.A. in Political Science (1987)
Notable personal detailsJoseph M. Baldacci is an American attorney and Democratic politician from Bangor, Maine. He has served in the Maine Senate representing District 9 (Bangor and Hermon) since 2020 and previously served on the Bangor City Council, including as council chair/mayor. He is a candidate for the U.S. House in Maine's 2nd Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle.
SourcesShowHide
fec.goven.wikipedia.orglegislature.maine.govbaldaccilaw.comspectrumlocalnews.comit.wikipedia.orgnrcc.orgpolitics1.comapnews.comrepbio.orgmainebiz.bizmainesenate.orgtime.combangordailynews.comdocquery.fec.govgovinfo.govncelenviro.orgpunchbowl.newsscorecard.maineaflcio.orgsunjournal.comlegiscan.commainepublic.orgthefreedomindex.orgmembers.maineenergymarketers.commainemorningstar.comwashingtonpost.comaxios.comfacebook.comtranscripts.cnn.comtransparency.x.comlegal.x.comcareers.x.comvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgvotesmart.orghistory.house.govcongress.govcollins.senate.govnga.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgoversightdemocrats.house.govgolden.house.govziplook.house.govhouse.govradiotv.house.govprogressives.house.govkaine.senate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted tax relief for homeowners and seniors while backing measures to increase fairness in taxation, including supporting a millionaire’s tax surcharge and corporate tax transparency. Proposes raising municipal revenue-sharing and expanding the homestead property tax exemption to reduce burdens on Mainers.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable care through state policy changes such as allowing zero-deductible health plans in the large-group market, increasing transparency of out-of-pocket costs, raising pay for health care support workers, and securing additional federal funding for mental health services. Focuses on pragmatic state-level reforms to improve affordability, primary care utilization, workforce pay, and mental health capacity.
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Immigration & Border
Supports limits on state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and has spoken in favor of welcoming immigrants and protections for DACA recipients. Has backed legislation restricting police from detaining people based on immigration status without a warrant or court order.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Joe Baldacci consistently votes to protect abortion and reproductive health access and has framed defending reproductive health care as a top priority. He has received perfect scores from Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund for his votes opposing bills that would restrict access and supported laws improving access to family planning and medication abortion safeguards.
Climate & Energy
Supports community resilience and clean-energy incentives and has backed legislation and grants to reduce emissions and prepare for extreme weather, while opposing mandates that would limit Mainers’ choice of heating fuels and arguing for market-driven, affordable approaches to energy. Emphasizes emergency energy relief for households facing high heating costs.
Public Safety & Guns
Joe Baldacci has sponsored legislation to prohibit paramilitary training and to restrict masked open carry in public gatherings, and has proposed a public registry and a system for surrendering firearms by people prohibited from possessing them. He has also voiced legal and due-process concerns about certain expansions to Maine’s “yellow flag”/red-flag procedures and voted against specific waiting-period and background-check bills. Overall his record includes both support for some targeted limits and objections to other gun-safety measures, producing a mixed position on firearms policy.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMay 19, 2026
Joe Baldacci is in the news because the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee endorsed him in Maine’s 2nd District primary, and that move has sparked backlash from local Democrats and other candidates. Penobscot County Democrats are considering a resolution criticizing the endorsement, while some observers say it could hurt Baldacci under ranked-choice voting. He is one of four Democrats competing for the nomination to face Republican Paul LePage in the 2026 House race.
fec.gov+46
Articles
BDBangor Daily News12 days ago
Penobscot Democrats plan vote to condemn national endorsement in Maine’s 2nd District race
Negative
PPPortland Press Herald12 days ago
National Democratic backing may be Joe Baldacci’s undoing | Steve Collins
Negative
BDBangor Daily News21 days ago
Maine's 2nd District Democrats set for TV debate
Neutral
BDBangor Daily News10 days ago
Maine Democrats shelve criticism of national party’s Joe Baldacci endorsement
Negative
Polls
ME-02 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$317.1K
$237.8K
$158.5K
$79.3K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$317.1K
$148.9K
$168.1K
$11.2K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements