Ethan Striming
@strim.bsky.social
Former Mayor. Former State Senator. Current podcaster at wmtw.com/inthearena/ & columnist at mainebeacon.com/author/ethan-strimling/
"I have never feared becoming too radical. I have feared becoming too conservative." Eugene Debs
"I have never feared becoming too radical. I have feared becoming too conservative." Eugene Debs
Reposted by Ethan Striming
For more than two decades, Republican-led referendums — from voter ID to attempts to restrict abortion rights — have largely failed, while progressive initiatives have repeatedly passed at both the state and local levels. Read why below. ⬇️ Column by @strim.bsky.social.
Strimling: Yes, the GOP should give up its referendum efforts - Maine Beacon
I don’t agree with uber right-wing former GOP state Rep. Larry Lockman about much. But sometimes, unlikely things happen. Like recently, when Lockman — who has a long history of homophobic, misogynist...
mainebeacon.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:47 PM
For more than two decades, Republican-led referendums — from voter ID to attempts to restrict abortion rights — have largely failed, while progressive initiatives have repeatedly passed at both the state and local levels. Read why below. ⬇️ Column by @strim.bsky.social.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Gov. Janet Mills is losing support inside her own party, @strim.bsky.social writes. Democrats’ approval of her has fallen over 20 points since June, as folks are unhappy with ICE raids in Maine and her resistance to tougher gun laws after Lewiston. Click below to read Ethan's full column!
Strimling: Why Gov. Mills is losing support among Democrats - Maine Beacon
Gov. Janet Mills has a popularity problem. And not just with some Republicans who have, shall we say, disliked her for years. No, this problem is with her base. Here’s the story: In June, Gov. Janet M...
mainebeacon.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Gov. Janet Mills is losing support inside her own party, @strim.bsky.social writes. Democrats’ approval of her has fallen over 20 points since June, as folks are unhappy with ICE raids in Maine and her resistance to tougher gun laws after Lewiston. Click below to read Ethan's full column!
Reposted by Ethan Striming
From defeating the voter suppression initiative to passing gun safety reform and raising Portland’s minimum wage, @strim.bsky.social says this election proves Mainers want bold, progressive action — and leaders who aren’t afraid to deliver it. Click the link below to read his full column!
Strimling: A night of big wins for Maine’s progressive values - Maine Beacon
If ever there was a night in Maine politics affirming this state’s progressive values, Tuesday was it. On the biggest votes of the night, from voter suppression to gun safety to raising wages to elect...
mainebeacon.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
From defeating the voter suppression initiative to passing gun safety reform and raising Portland’s minimum wage, @strim.bsky.social says this election proves Mainers want bold, progressive action — and leaders who aren’t afraid to deliver it. Click the link below to read his full column!
Reposted by Ethan Striming
This November’s ballot could shape Maine’s future on voting rights, gun safety, wages, and protection from toxic chemicals. Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social breaks down why he says No on 1, Yes on 2, Yes on A, and No on the pesticide repeal. Click below to read his full piece!
Opinion: How to save absentee voting, make our state safer, raise wages and protect kids (spoiler: vote!) - Maine Beacon
Man, November is coming up soon, and with it my favorite day of the year – Election Day. So, as my personal public service, I offer you this quick voter guide to the biggest issues on the ballot this ...
mainebeacon.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
This November’s ballot could shape Maine’s future on voting rights, gun safety, wages, and protection from toxic chemicals. Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social breaks down why he says No on 1, Yes on 2, Yes on A, and No on the pesticide repeal. Click below to read his full piece!
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Apparently, #janetmills watches ITA. You should too! Go to wmtw.com/inthearena to see the full podcast. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mepolitics
October 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Apparently, #janetmills watches ITA. You should too! Go to wmtw.com/inthearena to see the full podcast. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mepolitics
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Ep 61 of wmtw.com/inthearena is up where our analysts deep dive on #JanetMills entry into the US Senate race against #SusanCollins, and what this means for @grahamformaine.bsky.social and @jordanwood.bsky.social. W/ @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mepolitics
October 15, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Ep 61 of wmtw.com/inthearena is up where our analysts deep dive on #JanetMills entry into the US Senate race against #SusanCollins, and what this means for @grahamformaine.bsky.social and @jordanwood.bsky.social. W/ @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mepolitics
Reposted by Ethan Striming
A landlord-funded study meant to discredit Portland’s rent control ended up proving it works — showing tenants are saving about $500 a month, Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social writes. Read his full piece below!
Opinion: Landlord study shows Portland renters are saving $500 a month thanks to rent control (oops!) - Maine Beacon
This past winter, the Rental Housing Alliance — a landlord group led by corporate landlord Brit Vitalius (whose name you might know because his group led the failed fights against rent control in Port...
mainebeacon.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
A landlord-funded study meant to discredit Portland’s rent control ended up proving it works — showing tenants are saving about $500 a month, Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social writes. Read his full piece below!
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Is Sen. Susan Collins using her power as Chair of Appropriations to resolve the budget crisis? Get the full episode of In The Arena at WMTW.com/inthearena.com @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mainepolitics
October 5, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Is Sen. Susan Collins using her power as Chair of Appropriations to resolve the budget crisis? Get the full episode of In The Arena at WMTW.com/inthearena.com @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mainepolitics
Reposted by Ethan Striming
New episode of ITA is up. Find it at WMTW.com/inthearena Charlie Kirk, @jimmykimmel.com @grahamformaine.bsky.social Janet Mills, Susan Collins all on the agenda where we play “Fishy or Fragrant”
@patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social
@patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social
September 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
New episode of ITA is up. Find it at WMTW.com/inthearena Charlie Kirk, @jimmykimmel.com @grahamformaine.bsky.social Janet Mills, Susan Collins all on the agenda where we play “Fishy or Fragrant”
@patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social
@patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Earlier this summer, Pres. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to tell Republicans to “vote the opposite of Susan Collins” in a hidden attempt to make her appear to be moderate. The truth? Collins has voted with Trump 96% of the time.
Click the link below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!
Click the link below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!
Opinion: Susan Collins is no moderate and Trump knows it - Maine Beacon
This summer, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Pres. Donald Trump told Republicans to “vote the exact opposite of Senator Susan Collins.” I couldn't agree with him more. Because if ...
mainebeacon.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Earlier this summer, Pres. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to tell Republicans to “vote the opposite of Susan Collins” in a hidden attempt to make her appear to be moderate. The truth? Collins has voted with Trump 96% of the time.
Click the link below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!
Click the link below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Opinion writer Ethan Strimling pays tribute to the late Bill Diamond, who served Maine for 40 years between the House, Senate, and as Sec. of State. Despite their differences, Ethan remembers Diamond as a mentor, friend, and leader who was "more progressive than he let on."
Read the full story:
Read the full story:
Opinion: I will miss Bill Diamond - Maine Beacon
Twenty years ago, I met Bill Diamond, who died recently, when he took the seat next to mine in the Maine Senate. I was in my second term. He had served in the Senate for four years back in the 1980s. ...
mainebeacon.com
September 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Opinion writer Ethan Strimling pays tribute to the late Bill Diamond, who served Maine for 40 years between the House, Senate, and as Sec. of State. Despite their differences, Ethan remembers Diamond as a mentor, friend, and leader who was "more progressive than he let on."
Read the full story:
Read the full story:
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Maine’s Clean Elections system gives candidates millions in public funding—freeing them from wealthy donors & giving them more time to meet voters. While most current governor candidates are chasing private money, @strim.bsky.social argues running clean isn’t just ethical, it’s a winning strategy.
Opinion: Candidates for governor can win running clean – and they should do it. - Maine Beacon
To state the obvious, one of the biggest problems in politics today is the influence of wealthy donors. Republicans are certainly the leaders in drinking from this spigot and working at the behest of ...
mainebeacon.com
September 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Maine’s Clean Elections system gives candidates millions in public funding—freeing them from wealthy donors & giving them more time to meet voters. While most current governor candidates are chasing private money, @strim.bsky.social argues running clean isn’t just ethical, it’s a winning strategy.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
In The Arena is back! Ep. 55 dropped. We deep dive on the Collins race, do a lightning round catching up on recent news, and pay tribute to Bill Diamond. go to wmtw.com/inthearena for full episode. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @terrystackhouse.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 6:35 PM
In The Arena is back! Ep. 55 dropped. We deep dive on the Collins race, do a lightning round catching up on recent news, and pay tribute to Bill Diamond. go to wmtw.com/inthearena for full episode. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @terrystackhouse.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social
Reposted by Ethan Striming
WMTW clocks Susan Collins on RFK Jr.: “Does that ring hollow when she complains about his actions when in fact she voted to support him and confirm him?”
#mesen #mepolitics
#mesen #mepolitics
September 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
WMTW clocks Susan Collins on RFK Jr.: “Does that ring hollow when she complains about his actions when in fact she voted to support him and confirm him?”
#mesen #mepolitics
#mesen #mepolitics
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Please read this full thread and join in urging Congress to stop the removal of hundreds of unaccompanied Guatemalan children from the U.S.
In the dead of night on a holiday weekend, ICE agents took frightened children from their beds and put them on planes bound for Guatemala.
Here's how our emergency lawsuit unfolded and what YOU can do to help:
Here's how our emergency lawsuit unfolded and what YOU can do to help:
September 5, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Please read this full thread and join in urging Congress to stop the removal of hundreds of unaccompanied Guatemalan children from the U.S.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Opinion Columnist Ethan Strimling calls out Portland’s City Council for secretly accepting federal airport funds tied to ICE compliance, calling the move “unfortunate” compared to Lincoln County’s open rejection of similar money. Click below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!
Opinion: A tale of two cities confronting tyranny (or not) - Maine Beacon
Last week, Portland’s City Council went into an unusual and last-minute closed door meeting to discuss whether the city should accept federal funds to upgrade the tourist experience at our airport in ...
mainebeacon.com
August 27, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Opinion Columnist Ethan Strimling calls out Portland’s City Council for secretly accepting federal airport funds tied to ICE compliance, calling the move “unfortunate” compared to Lincoln County’s open rejection of similar money. Click below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!
I think I looked fabulous that day. And yes, a Red Flag law likely would have prevented the massacre in Lewiston. Vote yes on Q2.
August 22, 2025 at 12:10 PM
I think I looked fabulous that day. And yes, a Red Flag law likely would have prevented the massacre in Lewiston. Vote yes on Q2.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
In his latest column, @strim.bsky.social urges Mainers to vote "No" to Question 1 on the November ballot, as it's a GOP-backed proposal that would roll back absentee voting, restrict drop boxes, eliminate prepaid postage, and add a strict photo ID requirement. Click below to read his full piece!
Opinion: Why you should vote no on Question 1 to save absentee voting - Maine Beacon
In perhaps the most honestly written question ever put before Maine voters (thank you Secretary of State Shenna Bellows), Question 1 on the ballot this November speaks for itself: “Do you want to chan...
mainebeacon.com
August 6, 2025 at 6:45 PM
In his latest column, @strim.bsky.social urges Mainers to vote "No" to Question 1 on the November ballot, as it's a GOP-backed proposal that would roll back absentee voting, restrict drop boxes, eliminate prepaid postage, and add a strict photo ID requirement. Click below to read his full piece!
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Portland’s City Council could give voters a chance to raise the minimum wage to $20/hour by 2029. Over 11,000 low-wage workers could see a real difference in their lives — but only if the council sends the proposal to the ballot, writes columnist @strim.bsky.social.
Opinion: Hey Portland! It’s past time for a $20 an hour minimum wage - Maine Beacon
Next week, Portland’s City Council has a chance to dramatically improve the prospects of 11,000 of the city’s lowest-income residents, by voting to send a question to voters asking if they want to rai...
mainebeacon.com
August 21, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Portland’s City Council could give voters a chance to raise the minimum wage to $20/hour by 2029. Over 11,000 low-wage workers could see a real difference in their lives — but only if the council sends the proposal to the ballot, writes columnist @strim.bsky.social.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Maine’s yellow flag law is “cumbersome, inefficient,” and failed to prevent the Lewiston shooting, writes @strim.bsky.social. Passing Question 2 would let families act quickly to remove guns from someone who poses a threat, potentially saving lives. Read Ethan's full column below.
Opinion: Vote ‘Yes’ on Question 2 to improve gun safety in Maine - Maine Beacon
Nearly two years ago, Maine’s yellow flag law failed to remove over 15 guns, 19 high capacity magazines, and hundreds of unused bullets from a home less than 15 miles from the Just-In-Time Recreation ...
mainebeacon.com
August 14, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Maine’s yellow flag law is “cumbersome, inefficient,” and failed to prevent the Lewiston shooting, writes @strim.bsky.social. Passing Question 2 would let families act quickly to remove guns from someone who poses a threat, potentially saving lives. Read Ethan's full column below.
I gave my party an F for taxing the wrong people (the poor and middle class, instead of the rich) in order to raise the revenue needed to ensure Mainers have health care and get a good education.
Professors Harriman & Strimling issue report cards for the 132nd Maine Legislature on Ep. 54 of In The Arena. They also note when their own parties earned an F.
Full episode here: youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4 and wherever you listen to podcasts. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social
Full episode here: youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4 and wherever you listen to podcasts. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social
June 21, 2025 at 12:34 PM
I gave my party an F for taxing the wrong people (the poor and middle class, instead of the rich) in order to raise the revenue needed to ensure Mainers have health care and get a good education.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Professors Harriman & Strimling issue report cards for the 132nd Maine Legislature on Ep. 54 of In The Arena. They also note when their own parties earned an F.
Full episode here: youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4 and wherever you listen to podcasts. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social
Full episode here: youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4 and wherever you listen to podcasts. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social
June 21, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Professors Harriman & Strimling issue report cards for the 132nd Maine Legislature on Ep. 54 of In The Arena. They also note when their own parties earned an F.
Full episode here: youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4 and wherever you listen to podcasts. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social
Full episode here: youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4 and wherever you listen to podcasts. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Ep 54 of In The Arena is here:
youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4
@strim.bsky.social & Phil Harriman offer grades to the 132nd Maine Legislature, and award at least one "A" to the "other side." @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social
youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4
@strim.bsky.social & Phil Harriman offer grades to the 132nd Maine Legislature, and award at least one "A" to the "other side." @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social
June 20, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Ep 54 of In The Arena is here:
youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4
@strim.bsky.social & Phil Harriman offer grades to the 132nd Maine Legislature, and award at least one "A" to the "other side." @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social
youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4
@strim.bsky.social & Phil Harriman offer grades to the 132nd Maine Legislature, and award at least one "A" to the "other side." @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social
Reposted by Ethan Striming
In this year’s legislative session, no issue drew more fire than attacks on trans rights. @strim.bsky.social argues the efforts to roll back trans people’s rights weren’t just ideological — they were targeted efforts to strip away economic protections from some of Maine’s most vulnerable residents.
Opinion: How discrimination against trans people is also an economic inequality issue - Maine Beacon
If there is one issue that marked this legislative session in a way that no other one issue has, it was the full court attacks led by Pres. Donald Trump, GOP state Rep. Laurel Libby, and all the MAGA ...
mainebeacon.com
June 20, 2025 at 8:28 PM
In this year’s legislative session, no issue drew more fire than attacks on trans rights. @strim.bsky.social argues the efforts to roll back trans people’s rights weren’t just ideological — they were targeted efforts to strip away economic protections from some of Maine’s most vulnerable residents.