Pingree sails to victory in Maine’s 1st District

This story has been updated.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree will keep her seat representing Maine’s 1st Congressional District in Congress, after another strong finish in Tuesday’s election.

Pingree won with 64.9% of votes with 31% counted, according to The Associated Press.

It is Pingree’s second success over Republican Ron Russell, who was also the party’s nominee in 2024.  

Russell, a former Green Beret who had a 30-year career in the U.S. Army before retiring in the early 2000s, received 35.1% of the vote. 

Pingree declared victory at a joint election ction night party with fellow Democratic candidates in Portland. She said the priorities of the Trump Administration have hurt Maine residents. 

“I don’t have to tell any of you what a tough two years this has been,” Pingree said. “And as I said, the horrible policies of Donald J. Trump have driven our country into the ground. Whether it was the war in Iran that has driven up gas and diesel prices, made it impossible for you to fill up your heating tanks.” 

And she promised that if Democrats flip the U.S. House of Representatives, which they are projected to do, they will push back against his policies. 

“When Democrats are back in the majority, it will be our priority to turn all of these things around: to end the war, to get rid of the tariffs, to make sure we cut back the funding that’s been given to ICE, to reverse the cuts and stop the damage to our way of life.” 

Russell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Maine Democratic Party Chair Charlie Dingman congratulated Pingree on her win. 

“At a time when Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington are pursuing policies that threaten healthcare, raise costs and undermine fundamental rights, Chellie has consistently stood up for Maine and made clear that she will not back down,” he said in a statement. “Her reelection means Mainers in the 1st District will continue to have an experienced advocate representing their interests in Congress.”

Maine’s 1st Congressional District race was not among those that party leaders were watching closely to determine the balance of power in the U.S. House. The Cook Political Report had rated the district solidly Democratic in the lead-up to the election.