Shenna Bellows, Maine’s Secretary of State, made a significant announcement this week: she is running for governor of the state. This announcement came on Wednesday morning in her hometown of Hancock, and it marks a pivotal moment in her political career. Bellows is known for her public disputes with former President Donald Trump, and this new step in her political journey comes at a time when Maine’s political landscape is shifting.
In her announcement, Bellows expressed her strong belief that the country, and particularly Maine, needs a fresh start with new leadership. She stated, “I believe now more than ever we need a new day in America. That begins with new leadership. And I’m proud and humbled to announce that today I announced my run for governor for the great state of Maine.”
Shenna Bellows has had an interesting and varied political career, and her entry into the race for governor is the latest chapter in her public life. Bellows has served as Maine’s Secretary of State since 2021. Her appointment marked a significant milestone, as she became the first woman to hold the office. Before that, she was a state senator, where she served from 2015 to 2021.
Additionally, Bellows was the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maine, a position that gave her experience in advocacy and civil rights. These experiences have shaped her views and political philosophy, and her decision to run for governor aligns with her belief in fairness, transparency, and better leadership for the people of Maine.
Despite her extensive political background, Bellows is no stranger to competition. In 2014, she ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate, challenging Republican Senator Susan Collins. However, her campaign for Senate was unsuccessful. Although Bellows was not able to secure that seat, she gained significant political experience from the race, which helped shape her political strategy and approach in her current campaign for governor.
Below’s announcement for governor has stirred political discussions across Maine, particularly among members of the Republican Party. After her announcement, Maine’s GOP issued a statement calling for Bellows to step down from her position as Secretary of State.
The reasoning behind this call was simple: the GOP argued that Bellows should not oversee elections while also being a candidate on the same ballot. They suggested that her position as Secretary of State could create a conflict of interest, as it would be inappropriate for someone running for office to have control over election processes.
However, Bellows has made it clear that she will not step down from her position as Secretary of State despite the GOP’s calls. She responded to the criticism by pointing out that former Republican Secretary of State Charlie Summers had remained in office while running for a higher position in the past.
Summers relied on deputies to ensure election integrity and maintain the office’s independence. Bellows noted that her approach would follow the same model, and she remains committed to upholding the integrity of elections in Maine despite her candidacy.
Bellows’ decision to stay in office while running for governor is significant, and it highlights her determination to move forward with her campaign. However, it has also led to increased scrutiny of her actions and decisions as Secretary of State.
One of the most prominent controversies she faced during her time in office came in 2023 when she ruled that former President Trump’s petition to be included in Maine’s presidential primary was invalid under an insurrection clause.
This decision effectively removed Trump from the Maine ballot for the primary election. Trump, who had already been a polarizing figure in American politics, did not take kindly to this ruling. The decision led to a public spat between Bellows and Trump, with the former president criticizing her actions.
While Bellows’ ruling was initially upheld, the situation took a dramatic turn when the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately overturned her decision. The court’s ruling allowed Trump to remain on the ballot for the primary.
Despite the Supreme Court’s reversal, Bellows’ decision to disqualify Trump for the Maine primary became a key issue in her political career. It also solidified her position as a strong advocate for election integrity, even if it meant facing intense backlash from powerful figures like Trump.
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