AUGUSTA — When it comes to familiar names, voters in Maine this primary season can take their pick — or not.
In normal political times, name recognition is a positive. But Maine political scientists say we are not in normal political times.
“Usually it would be helpful,” said Jim Melcher, University of Maine at Farmington political science professor. “This year, it may not be.”
With early voting already underway leading up to the June 9 primary, Maine voters are seeing familiar family names on both parties’ ballots.
In the five-way Democratic primary for governor, there’s Angus King III, son of former governor and current U.S. Sen. Angus King, and Hannah Pingree, daughter of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree.
In the four-way 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary, state Sen. Joe Baldacci, brother of former Gov. John Baldacci, is in the running against State Auditor Matt Dunlap, Jordan Wood and Paige Loud.
And in the seven-way Republican contest for governor, there’s Jonathan Bush, nephew of President George H.W. Bush and cousin of President George W. Bush.
All are running for office at a time when the political winds are swirling in unpredictable ways.
Mark Brewer, professor and chair of political science at the University of Maine, said this may be a difficult year for those with Maine-famous names to run.
“You’ve got all of these kind of second generation or in the case of Baldacci, sibling candidacies, out there at a time where there really is this kind of pushback against the establishment, the status quo, especially within the Democratic Party,” Brewer said.
And on the other side of the aisle, that may also be problematic for Bush, he said.
Jonathan Bush, a Republican running for governor, is related to two former presidents. (Spectrum News file phot)
“That flavor of Republicanism is really out of favor right now,” he said. “I think there are still some of those Republicans out there in elected office but almost all of them go to great pains to hide that because they don’t want to run afoul of Donald Trump and the MAGA-style Republicans.”
For weeks, Bush has addressed the issue of his famous name head on in one of the television ads he’s been running in heavy rotation.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he says as he looks directly into the camera. “Not another Bush! But hear me out.”
He then details his non-political background, from serving in the military to becoming a healthcare tech CEO.
Bush is running in a Republican field full of political outsiders that includes Bobby Charles, David Jones, Ben Midgley, Owen McCarthy and Robert Wessels. The only candidate in the race with previous political experience is former state Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason.
For the Democrats, during their recent convention, Chellie Pingree — who is seeking her 10th term in the House — introduced herself as “Hannah’s mom.”
In her ads, Hannah Pingree has emphasized her own time in politics, from serving as the youngest female House speaker in Maine history to work she’s done in the Mills administration to help immigrants.
“The name recognition certainly helps, it helps Hannah Pingree, but Hannah Pingree can also stand on her own as a politician and public figure in a way that maybe Angus King III can’t,” Brewer said.
Like Bush, King is a true political newcomer who while linked to his popular father, often talks about his 30 years of work outside of government as an affordable housing developer and entrepreneur.
Last week, he released a video message from his father who appealed directly to independent voters to remind them that they can vote in party primaries.
“I have an idea for who you can vote for in that Democratic primary,” he said. “A guy named Angus King. Not me. But Angus one two three. He’s a very capable guy. He’s smart. He’s a problem solver.”
Pingree and King are also competing against other well-known names. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Senate President Troy Jackson and former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Nirav Shah are all pushing for support with three weeks to go.
State Sen. Joe Baldacci, a Democrat running for the 2nd Congressional District, is the brother of former Gov. John Baldacci. (Spectrum News file photo)
When it comes to the 2nd District, the Baldacci name might cut both ways, Brewer said. While those in Bangor likely view it as a positive, those outside the city may have more negative connotations related to his brother’s term as governor from 2003-2011, he said.
While they are brothers, Joe Baldacci has carved his own political path, serving on Bangor City Council and as mayor before getting elected to the state Senate. At several events this campaign cycle, Baldacci has served up meatballs and spaghetti, reminding voters of his family’s Bangor restaurant Momma Baldacci’s.
With little available public polling, ranked choice voting and a restless electorate, it’s hard to tell which way the pendulum will swing.
“This is a year where there’s more kind of throw the rascals out,” Melcher said.
Brewer agreed.
“I don’t think it’s a great setup for any of them, to be honest with you,” he said. “It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.”
