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Pingree Turns Up Volume on Campaign for Maine Governor

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


Democratic governor candidate Hannah Pingree is launching into the general election after winning the primary.

Pingree says she plans to focus on housing, education, and energy issues, emphasizing the need for big, bold changes.

“If young people cannot afford to buy a house, if people can’t find rents, nothing else about our state’s economy is going to work,” said Pingree.

Pingree says she aims to build a coalition of Democrats, independents, and moderate Republicans in the general election.

She says she’s hearing frustration from independent voters about how President Trump has raised the cost of health care and energy for Mainers.

“They want a governor who will stand up to this president, and I honestly think the headwinds are really for Republicans trying to explain what this president has done for this country,” Pingree said.

Republican nominee Bobby Charles says Pingree, who worked in outgoing Governor Janet Mills’ administration, is responsible for problems in education, housing and high costs.

Pingree is the daughter of 1st District Democratic U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree.

She served in the Maine state House more than a decade ago and became House speaker from 2008 to 2010.

Pingree then became one of Mills’ most trusted advisors’ while working as the administration’s director of the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future.

Mills endorsed Pingree in the governor’s primary race. Politico reports Pingree has indicated that she would differ from the governor’s path on certain decisions related to labor and tribal sovereignty — two issues where Mills has clashed with progressives.

Pingree was a guest on WGAN Tuesday morning, after Republican Charles was featured Monday.

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