The Record They Don't Want You to See

Rick Bennett Can't Be Trusted.

He's spent 36 years in Augusta calling himself a conservative. Then he voted with the Democrats on sanctuary state protections, boys in girls' sports, and more, and now he wants to be your governor.

ATF picture
36
Years in Augusta
11
Times Run as a Republican
2
Times Rejected by Voters
0
Principles That Stuck

Rick Bennett abandoned the Republican Party, called himself an "independent," and wants Maine to forget his record. We won't let that happen. The facts are here. The votes are documented. Judge for yourself.

Charge #1

Career Augusta Insider.
Career "Outsider" Lie.

insiders picture

Rick Bennett has been a fixture of Maine politics since 1990, longer than many Maine voters have been alive. He didn't just work in Augusta. He ran it.


Now he wants you to believe he's an outsider fighting the establishment. That's not a political platform. That's an insult to your intelligence.

1990
First elected to the Maine House of Representatives. His Augusta career begins.
1996
Elected to the Maine Senate. Begins accumulating power in Augusta.
2001
Elected President of the Maine Senate. He's not just in Augusta, he's running it.
2013
Becomes Chair of the Maine Republican Party, cementing his grip on GOP politics statewide.
2016
Serves as a Trump Electoral College elector as part of the Republican establishment.
2025
Abandons the Republican Party and calls himself an outsider. Asks voters to forget all of the above.
36
Years in Augusta
or GOP politics
4
Senate terms
served
2
House terms
served
1
Senate President
term
4
Years as Maine
GOP Chair

Charge #2

He Made Maine a Sanctuary State.
He Was the Only One.

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When Democrats pushed a bill to make Maine a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants, shielding illegal alien criminals from federal immigration authorities, every Republican in Augusta voted no.


Every single one. Except Rick Bennett.


Bennett cast the lone Republican vote in either chamber to pass the sanctuary state bill, providing cover for its passage and helping Democrats deliver a law that puts illegal immigrants ahead of Maine's law-abiding residents.

THE VOTE: The Maine Legislature passed a bill restricting law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, cementing Maine's status as a sanctuary jurisdiction for illegal alien criminals. Bennett was the lone Republican in either chamber to vote in favor.

Source: Breitbart News, Maine Sanctuary State Vote

HIS EXCUSE: Bennett claimed he voted for the sanctuary bill because he was "concerned about the use of Maine resources" for federal enforcement. Translation: he sided with Democrats to block cooperation with ICE, then announced his run for governor.

THE RESULT: Maine law now restricts state and local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities. Illegal immigrants who commit crimes in Maine face reduced risk of deportation. Rick Bennett made that happen. No other Republican helped him.

"The lone Republican in either chamber to vote in favor of making Maine a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants."
Documented legislative record, Maine 132nd Legislature

Charge #3

He Voted to Put Boys in
Girls' Sports.

Boys picture

The Maine House passed a bill to keep biological males out of girls' school athletics. It was common sense. It was popular. Polls show 79% of Americans, including 67% of Democrats, oppose biological males competing against women and girls.


When the bill reached the Senate, Republicans held the line. Every single one voted yes.


Except Rick Bennett.


Bennett was the only Republican to cross the aisle and kill the bill. Meanwhile, Maine girls lost their shot at a fair competition.

THE VOTE: LD 233, the bill to prohibit biological males from competing in school athletic programs designated for females. Rick Bennett cast the deciding Republican defection vote.

Source: Maine LD 233 Legislative Record

HIS WORDS: Bennett delivered a floor speech against the bill, saying he shared his daughter's view that the proposals made her "sad" and characterized protecting girls' sports as "the politics of division." He was the only Republican in Augusta who agreed.

THE SCIENCE: Biological males retain measurable physiological advantages, greater bone density, lung capacity, and muscle mass, over biological females, regardless of hormone treatment. Allowing biological males to compete against girls is not inclusion. It is an unfair playing field, and Rick Bennett voted for it.

Senator Party Vote on LD 233 (Girls' Sports Protection) Notes
Rick Bennett Republican* NO, Sided with Democrats Only Republican in the Senate to vote against the bill
All Other Senate Republicans Republican YES, Supported Girls' Sports Every other Republican in the chamber voted the opposite way

*Bennett left the Republican Party in 2025

Charge #4

Maine Has Said No Before.
Twice.

Rick Bennett's run for governor isn't a new idea. It's his 12th run for office and his third attempt at higher office after Maine voters already rejected him for Congress and the U.S. Senate.


This is not a man with a fresh vision for Maine. This is a man who has spent four decades chasing political power, losing when he gets too ambitious, retreating to Augusta, and now repackaging himself as something he has never been: an outsider.


The question isn't whether Bennett is qualified. The question is: why do Maine voters keep saying no and why should 2026 be any different?

1994
LOSS #1: Ran for Congress against Democrat John Baldacci. Maine voters said no.
2012
LOSS #2: Ran in the Republican U.S. Senate primary against Charlie Summers. Maine Republicans said no.
2006
Considered running for governor. Backed out. Endorsed the nominee instead.
2025
Abandoned the Republican Party after 35 years of benefiting from it. Now calls himself an independent. Asks Maine to forget everything.
2026
RUN #12. Same Rick Bennett. New label. Same failed record.
"Rick Bennett has been in Augusta longer than some voters have been alive and now he wants you to believe he's an outsider."

"Bennett was the lone Republican in either chamber to vote in favor of [the sanctuary state bill]."

Legislative record, Maine 132nd Legislature

"Bennett delivered an impassioned speech against [the girls' sports bill], saying he shared his daughter's view that the bills made her sad."

Associated Press, June 2025

"Bennett was the only Republican to vote with Democrats to oppose the measure [protecting girls' sports]."

State legislative roll call record

The Full Indictment

Four Reasons Rick Bennett
Can't Be Governor.

01
🏛️
Career Augusta Insider

36 years in Augusta, legislator, Senate President, state GOP Chair and now claims to be an outsider. You cannot spend your entire adult life building the system and then campaign against it.

02
🚨
Made Maine a Sanctuary State

The only Republican in either chamber to vote for sanctuary state protections that restrict Maine law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

03
🏅
Voted Against Girls in Sports

The only Republican in the Maine Senate to vote against LD 233, killing a bill that would have protected biological females from competing against biological males in school athletics.

04
📉
Two-Time Loser

Already rejected by Maine voters in 1994 and by Maine Republicans in 2012. Now on his 12th run for office, with the same record, a new label, and no answers.

Maine Deserves Better
Than Rick Bennett.

Share the truth with your family, friends, and neighbors. The record is documented. The votes are real. Spread the word.

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