Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund Endorses Hannah Pingree for Governor

PORTLAND, ME – For the first time, Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund has made an endorsement in a primary for governor, announcing today that the organization is supporting Hannah Pingree.

“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented actions,” said Maureen Drouin, executive director of Maine Conservation Voters. “Hannah Pingree stands out, demonstrating time and again her commitment to taking on big, important fights and standing up to special interests to protect the health of Maine people, the environment, and our democracy. Hannah will fight for lower energy prices and a clean energy future. We are proud to endorse her candidacy for governor.” 

Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund works to elect pro-environment leaders who will address the climate crisis, create good paying clean energy jobs, and protect the air, land, water, and wildlife that people in Maine love.  

“I’m honored to earn the endorsement of Maine Conservation Voters. I’ve spent most of my life living in a small rural island town, representing my neighbors who make a living on the ocean where a clean environment is tied to livelihoods and the future of our communities. Every fight has taught me the importance of standing up to powerful interests and staying connected to the people you’re fighting for,” Pingree said. “Over the years, I’ve worked across the state to take on big challenges and deliver results – from protecting our kids’ health from toxic chemicals to taking action to prepare for extreme storms. As governor, I’ll keep fighting for Maine people and our future.”

“Hannah has a proven record of standing up to special interests – like the chemical industry and Big Oil – and winning results for families in Maine. While there are many qualified candidates in the race – with records of public service and leadership – Hannah stands out as the strongest leader to stand up to President Trump’s destructive agenda and fight for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the future our children deserve,” Drouin said.

First elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2002, Pingree advanced through the Legislature and was elected by her peers as Speaker of the House in 2008.

“Hannah has consistently stood up to special interests on behalf of Maine families. In 2008, she sponsored and championed landmark legislation to protect children from dangerous chemicals in everyday products—defying corporate pressure to put kids’ health first,” said Anna Brown, President of the Board of Maine Conservation Voters.

In addition, she led the effort to eliminate toxic chemical flame retardants from household products, protecting Maine families and first responders. And she fought for land conservation, for clean, renewable energy and to save working waterfronts.

“At this moment, for both our nation and for our planet, we need leaders who are unabashed environmental champions. Hannah has led the charge on climate action, on removing toxics, on protecting working waterfront and farmland.  She also fully understands how these environmental issues are interwoven into our economy and broader issues like affordable housing,” said John Piotti, former legislator and farmland conservation advocate. 

Pingree’s list of achievements goes much deeper. Pingree led the fight to expand access to health care and to hold down the cost of insurance premiums; she is a staunch defender of abortion rights, and a leader in addressing Maine’s housing crisis. And she helped to build a winning coalition of lawmakers to pass a law allowing same-sex couples to marry.

After leaving the Legislature, Pingree returned to North Haven to run a small, family business and to raise a family. She became chair of the school board and ran a local housing organization.

As the director of Maine’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, Pingree led significant initiatives to help Maine people reduce their energy costs and transition to heat pumps, spearheaded the state’s efforts to increase storm resilience and helped to turn the state into a national leader on climate action.

“The federal government is failing to protect citizens from climate risks. So it’s especially critical for governors to not only prioritize climate action, but understand how it connects to everything from housing to jobs to food. Hannah Pingree’s record shows she’s the one to get the job done, and I’m proud to support her campaign,” said Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, marine biologist and author of the book, What if We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures.

As co-chair of the Maine Climate Council, Pingree brought together a broad group of stakeholders to develop Maine Won’t Wait, a comprehensive plan for climate action. Under her leadership, the state made significant investments to fight the impacts of the changing climate, creating an unprecedented storm recovery fund and programs to protect homes, businesses, working waterfronts and critical infrastructure from climate catastrophes. 

“Maine needs a governor who has the courage to stand up to President Trump, and the savvy to win when she does. We need a governor who can build lasting coalitions and bring people together, but who will never compromise on her values and will fight for Maine’s people and communities,” Drouin said.

MCV Action Fund, Maine Conservation Voters’ Political Action Committee, endorses climate and environmental champions for the Maine State Legislature and for governor. In 2022’s election cycle, MCV Action Fund invested nearly $1 million in elections, reaching over 14 million viewers digitally. 

What others say about Pingree:

Anna Brown, Board President, Maine Conservation Voters

“Hannah has consistently stood up to special interests on behalf of Maine families. In 2008, she sponsored and championed landmark legislation to protect children from dangerous chemicals in everyday products—taking on corporate pressure to put kids’ health first.

“She has also been a steadfast champion for climate action. Hannah’s leadership resulted in Maine Won’t Wait, one of the strongest state climate plans in the country—rooted in science, equity, and community resilience. At a time when federal climate leadership is faltering, I know Hannah will move Maine toward a just climate future, leading with integrity. She understands that real climate action depends on strong policy, strong democracy, and strong accountability for polluters.

“Equitable climate action also requires fully recognizing tribal sovereignty—an essential step Hannah has committed to take early in her administration.

“And at this moment when our democracy is under threat—from disinformation, rising authoritarianism, and efforts to roll back environmental protections—Hannah has shown again and again that she will stand up to the Trump agenda and defend our democratic institutions.”

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Marine Biologist and author of What if We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures

“The federal government is failing to protect citizens from climate risks. So it’s especially critical for governors to not only prioritize climate action, but understand how it connects to everything from housing to jobs to food. Hannah Pingree’s record shows she’s the one to get the job done, and I’m proud to support her campaign.”

John Piotti, former House Majority Leader, Chair of the Committee on Taxation and Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, & Forestry

“And at this moment, for both our nation and for our planet, we also need leaders who are unabashed environmental champions.

“There’s no question that Hannah Pingree is the ideal person to lead Maine. Beyond this, there’s no doubt her commitment to climate action and sustainable rural development will help shape national debate.”

Julie Rosenbach, Portland

“As the director of the Office of Policy and Innovation, Hannah was instrumental in creating the Community Resilience Partnership and the program’s Community Action Grants.

“This critical work helps communities to address the impacts of climate change by identifying the smart investments that will make our communities more resilient and better able to withstand severe weather fueled by climate change and a warming Gulf of Maine.”

Maggie Somers, Outreach Director, Maine Conservation Voters

“In my work at Maine Conservation Voters, I talk every day with people from all across this state — parents, teachers, fishermen, students, retirees. And there’s a clear, urgent message: we need leaders who actually see what Maine families are going through, who understand what’s at stake, and who won’t back down in the face of big corporations, partisan bullies, or anyone who puts profit and power above people.

“Hannah Pingree is that kind of leader.

“She has spent her career listening to communities. She understands how hard it is for young people to stay here. She understands the pressure Maine families are under. And she has real plans to tackle it: lowering energy costs, growing good jobs in clean energy and innovation, keeping more of Maine’s money here in Maine, and making sure housing is something regular people can actually afford.”

Anne Carney, Senate Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary

“Maine needs a leader with a bold vision for the future. Someone who has the experience to fight for all Mainers, to push back against rising energy costs, and who isn’t afraid to stand up to big corporations. For too long, Mainers have been asked to accept some of the highest electricity costs in the nation. CMP’s latest attempt to get a rate increase is out of touch with Maine’s energy affordability crisis. Hannah will stand up to utility companies like CMP who want to push the high cost of executive salaries and bonuses onto ratepayers. Hannah will fight to lower electricity costs for Maine families and businesses and move us toward affordable, clean energy.

“Hannah also cares about fairness and justice for all who live in this place we call Maine. This includes the four Wabanaki Nations – Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot.  As Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee, I have seen the harmful impact on the economy, health and well-being of the Wabanaki people caused by the state’s refusal to recognize the inherent sovereignty of the Wabanaki Nations. Hannah will work with tribal leaders to craft legislation within her first 100 days to make sure Maine’s tribes have the same federal rights as all other tribal nations in the U.S. 

“We deserve a governor who believes that no family should have to choose between heating their home and feeding their kids. A governor who will hold utility corporations accountable and push for clean energy jobs. A governor who will fight every day to protect the environment and health of all Mainers. As a mother and a grandmother, I worry every day about the future we will leave our children and generations to come. I believe that electing Hannah Pingree as the next governor of Maine will ensure that we make bold change – in recognizing tribal sovereignty, addressing climate change and holding utility companies accountable for affordable and clean energy — to protect Maine now and for future generations.

Joel Clement

“Here in Maine, where my ancestors have been making it work for 10 generations, we are fortunate to have public servants like Hannah Pingree. She is a smart, tireless, and passionate advocate for Mainers and has the chops to build, rather than tear down, the systems that can make Maine a prosperous player in the economy of the future – an economy that will be built on clean energy, protecting our famous natural heritage, and helping one another thrive.”