This year, Maine has an exciting opportunity to expand Clean Elections to races for District Attorney. It would be the first expansion in Clean Elections since 1996 and makes Maine the first state to provide public funding for candidates in these key law enforcement positions.
Tell your legislators: Support Clean Elections for District Attorney.
We know that Clean Elections encourages more people to run for office and allows them to serve without being beholden to big donors or special interests — only to the voters in their district.
Mainers need to be able to trust that district attorneys can carry out their duties impartially. Like judges, these officials must operate “without fear or favor."
LD 1966 expands Clean Elections to District Attorney races. Sponsored by Rep Ben Collings and co-sponsored by Rep Morgan Reilly, this bill has passed out of committee with bipartisan support. It could now go to the full legislature for a vote as soon as this week.
Tell your legislators to support LD 1966!
Historically, the majority of District Attorney campaigns are either self-funded (which is an issue of equity and opportunity) or funded by lawyers who expect to have cases within that district. Between 2014 and 2022, total spending has more than doubled in races for sheriff, district attorney, and county commissioner. The 2022 Cumberland County District Attorney contest cost more than $76,000 and was a target for spending by out-of-state interests.
With judicial and local elections around the country becoming increasingly partisan and high-spending, Maine should take this chance to get ahead of the trend and insulate our justice system from potential corruption or the perception of corruption.