Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
47%
47%
Democrat
Shenna Bellows
Maine Democratic Senate nominee on Jul 31, 2026?
$4.2M
JUL 31, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSecretary of State
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age51 years old (Mar 23, 1975)
GenderFemale
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LocationMaine
BackgroundPolitician
EducationMiddlebury College (BA)
Notable personal detailsShenna Lee Bellows is an American politician and civil rights advocate who has served as Maine’s 50th Secretary of State since January 4, 2021. She previously served in the Maine Senate (2016–2020) and worked as executive director of the ACLU of Maine (2005–2013) and the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine (2018–2020).
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgbellowsformaine.comwikidata.orglinkedin.comlldc.mainelegislature.orgmaine.govwww1.maine.govmainepublic.orgxwhos.comlegislature.maine.govde.wikipedia.orgballotready.orgmidmainechamber.comcontactout.comnga.govbangordailynews.compressherald.commainepeoplesalliance.orgemdc.orgsunjournal.comboothbayregister.comgivegreen.comwmtw.commainemorningstar.commainebeacon.comfacebook.comprospect.orgnbcnews.comnewscentermaine.comfairvote.orgnytimes.compbs.orgnotus.orgnbcboston.comyoutube.comballotpedia.orginstagram.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgfec.govsenate.govappropriations.senate.govncsl.orgnass.orggovinfo.govdocuments.ncsl.orglegislation.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports increasing taxes on very high earners to strengthen Social Security and favors shifting federal spending away from defense toward domestic investments such as infrastructure, student loans, and renewable energy. Has also proposed targeted tax relief for certain groups (for example, legislation to eliminate state income tax on some public pension benefits).
Healthcare
Supports universal health care as a goal and increased public investment in health services, with emphasis on rural health infrastructure, school-based health centers, public health nurses, and full funding for reproductive and primary care providers. Expresses opposition to barriers to care and names organizations such as Maine Family Planning and Planned Parenthood as priorities for support.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate emphasizes protecting immigrant communities and has taken actions to limit state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including refusing to share voter rolls and pausing certain data-sharing with ICE. She characterizes aggressive federal immigration operations in Maine as harmful and has pledged to defend the privacy and safety of new Mainers. Her public statements focus on restraint of enforcement activity and protection of immigrants rather than proposing expanded enforcement measures.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports abortion rights and reproductive freedom and has worked to protect and expand access to abortion and contraception in Maine. Pledges to support Maine Family Planning and Planned Parenthood and to defend existing Maine law that protects access to abortion and reproductive health care.
Climate & Energy
Supports transitioning away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy and investing in technologies such as solar, tidal, and geothermal. Favors strong carbon-emission standards and expanded public-transit and clean-energy investment while emphasizing community input for projects. Positions include backing federal regulation of greenhouse-gas emissions and state-level climate action.
Public Safety & Guns
Shenna Bellows has publicly supported extreme risk protection orders (the 2025 Question 2 red-flag measure) and has said municipalities should have the option to restrict firearms at polling places. Her statements frame these measures as compatible with responsible gun ownership and public safety.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 20, 2026
Shenna Bellows is in the news because she entered Maine Democrats’ fast-moving U.S. Senate nomination fight after Graham Platner withdrew. She said she wants to carry forward Platner’s movement against Susan Collins, but recent reports say she has now withdrawn from the race as Troy Jackson appears to be the likely nominee. Earlier coverage also noted Bellows was still among the leading contenders at the party’s convention process and had been campaigning on anti-ICE and anti-Trump themes.
en.wikipedia.org+45
Articles
BNBreitbart News Network15 days ago
Need to Keep Platner's Movement to Beat Collins So We Can 'Abolish ICE'
Neutral
PPPortland Press Herald3 months ago
Shenna Bellows is uniquely qualified for governor | Letter
Positive
PPPortland Press Herald4 months ago
Democratic candidates for Maine governor discuss reforming health care
Neutral
BDBangor Daily News4 months ago
Gubernatorial candidates at Wabanaki forum agree on tribal sovereignty
Positive
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Maine Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Shenna Bellows for Maine Democratic Governor nominee?
MSEA-SEIU Local 1989
Labor organization
MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 ranked Shenna Bellows second in its gubernatorial primary endorsement.
Maine Education Association
Elected official
Maine Education Association endorsed Shenna Bellows for governor.
Sierra Club of Maine
Elected official
Sierra Club of Maine endorsed Shenna Bellows for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising