PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 7, 2026
A dozen candidates for Maine governor met Saturday at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum to discuss the latest trends and topics impacting the state’s commercial fishing industry. All six of the candidates that had to answer a question about whether they support a 2022 federal spending provision that delayed new whale-related restrictions on lobstering gear said they do and would advocate for an extension. “Federal restrictions on fishing gear cannot be built on the backs of Maine fishermen,” said Rick Bennett, an independent. Jim Libby, a Republican, said, “We’re asking people to change what they’re doing and use technology that is not proven. Democrat Shenna Bellows said she would work on improving the collective buying power of fishermen to make insurance more accessible, negotiate down drug prices and invest in rural health infrastructure. Democrat Nirav Shah called for investments in workforce housing, zoning reforms and said the state could explore a “deeded access or land trust model” to ensure housing access in waterfront communities. Candidates from both parties stressed that people who work on Maine’s coast should not be priced out of living there.