Ronald Russell
ME-01 Republican nominee?
$8.7K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
LocationMaine
BackgroundU.S. Army officer (retired)
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EducationUnited States Military Academy at West Point
Notable personal detailsRonald Charles “Ron” Russell is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Maine’s 1st Congressional District. He is a West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran who served about 30 years, including service as an Airborne Ranger and Special Forces (Green Beret). After retiring from the Army, he worked in the defense industry and as a small business owner, and has been based in Kennebunkport/Kennebunkport-area in recent campaign materials.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports lower taxes and pro-growth tax policies, opposes some federal subsidies (such as EV tax credits), and says he would not support a federal income tax increase except in extreme circumstances (he mentioned national security). He has criticized Maine’s high taxes and expressed general support for Republican tax-cut proposals.
Healthcare
Supports maintaining Medicaid for those who need it while reducing program costs by eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse and reversing MaineCare expansion to cover undocumented immigrants; emphasizes mental-health interventions as part of public-safety policy. Does not endorse expanding government-run universal coverage.
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Immigration & Border
Ronald Russell supports stronger border enforcement, including completing the wall along the southern U.S. border and cracking down on illegal immigration, while also saying legal immigrants should have improved paths to work and citizenship. His public statements emphasize border security as a priority.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate has described himself as personally anti-abortion and said abortion policy should be left to the states and opposed federal action, but he also voted in the Maine legislature in favor of legislation that expanded abortion access. Public statements and his voting record therefore show conflicting signals on abortion policy.
Climate & Energy
Supports U.S. energy independence and continued fossil fuel production while embracing renewable technologies where they are cost-effective; opposes mandates for specific energy sources and favors reducing regulations and subsidies (including stopping subsidies for electric vehicles) in favor of market-driven approaches.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports the Second Amendment and opposes broad new restrictions such as an assault-weapons ban or expanded waiting periods, while advocating better background-check access to mental-health records so people who pose a danger cannot obtain firearms.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262024
2026
LatestCycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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