Re-Elect Representative Bill Bridgeo

Voting is underway at the Augusta Civic Center in today’s primary election, and according to the City Clerk, turnout has been strong.

That’s encouraging because our right to vote in free and fair elections is fundamental to protecting our democracy. Polls remain open until 8:00 PM tonight, so if you haven’t voted yet, there’s still time!

The Augusta Civic Center serves as the central polling place for city residents and is well-equipped to make the voting process smooth and accessible.

And while you’re there, please take a moment to thank our dedicated election workers. It’s a long day of service, and our democracy depends on their hard work, professionalism, and commitment.

Learn more about the work I’ve been doing to strengthen public education, expand access to affordable childcare, and address Maine’s housing shortage.

Too many Maine families are struggling to make ends meet. If Augusta sends me back to the State House, I’m ready to hit the ground running to tackle our community’s most pressing challenges and fight for practical solutions that help working families.

The cost of everything is just too high to leave money on the table.

Take a few minutes to check whether the Maine State Treasurer’s Office is holding unclaimed property in your name. It could be an old paycheck, security deposit, refund, or forgotten account.

Visit www.maineunclaimedproperty.gov and see if any of your money is waiting for you!

Up early this Sunday morning to witness a piece of Augusta history in the making.

Beginning at 7:00 a.m., crews successfully relocated the historic John Calvin Stevens house from Western Avenue to its new home just a quarter mile away off State Street, technically on a street I never even knew existed: Chandler Street.

Watching the move was an impressive reminder of the planning, coordination, and expertise required to preserve a landmark of this size and significance.

A special congratulations to Richard Parkhurst for his creativity, vision, and commitment to preserving an important part of Augusta's architectural history. It was quite a sight to see.

Childcare is essential infrastructure for working families.

Maine’s Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) helps eligible families, including retired guardians, pay for childcare so parents and caregivers can work, attend school, or participate in job training programs.

If childcare costs are putting pressure on your household budget, it’s worth checking to see if you qualify.

Learn more or apply here: bit.ly/maine-ccap

Many longtime Augusta residents will remember journalist John Hale. Over a career spanning five decades, John covered state and local government for the Kennebec Journal, the Bangor Daily News, and the Capital Weekly.

Janice and I had a wonderful time celebrating John’s 80th birthday at the White Duck in Manchester. It turns out we share both a love of carrot cake and an appreciation for classic ‘60s rock music, both of which were in plentiful supply at the party.

What I always respected most about John’s work, whether he was covering City Hall or broader state and local issues, was his deep commitment to the ethics of journalism and his determination to tell stories fairly and accurately.

At a time when local journalism faces enormous challenges, it is important to remember how vital strong local reporting is to our communities and our democracy.

John’s career is one worth celebrating and one that I hope continues to inspire future generations of reporters and editors.

It has been an honor to serve Augusta in the Maine State House.

I hope I’ve earned your vote and the opportunity to continue fighting for our community.

Please feel free to reach out anytime with questions, concerns, or ideas. I’m always happy to connect.

Next Sunday is moving day! They’re not just moving a few boxes. They’re moving an entire house.

Huge thank you to Richard Parkhurst for helping save this beautiful piece of Augusta history.

A while back, Kennebec Savings Bank announced plans to expand its headquarters campus at Memorial Circle. Rather than see this historic home demolished, Richard stepped forward with a creative solution: purchase a nearby property from the bank and relocate the house to a new site.

As the video shows, the move is already underway. Even better, Richard has already found a buyer ready to give it new life.

This is what commitment to preserving Augusta’s character and historic architecture looks like.

Thank you, Richard Parkhurst.

(Video from a few days ago!)

I’m honored to receive a 100% score on the Maine Recovery Action Project (ME-RAP) legislative scorecard this session!

I’m especially grateful for the work ME-RAP does through the Access Center in Augusta, helping connect people to treatment, housing, recovery support, and hope every single day.

Last session, I was proud to work alongside Representative Ambureen Rana to help secure cannabis tax revenue for recovery community centers across Maine. I was also proud to support Representative Tavis Hasenfus’ legislation to reduce the financial burden large recovery residences place on municipalities, which was signed into law this session.

This new law helps reduce the financial burden on Maine communities by ensuring the State fully covers General Assistance costs for Maine Association of Recovery Residences certified recovery residences with 26 or more beds. It is a smart, fiscally responsible policy that supports recovery housing while also supporting local communities.

And of course, none of this would have been possible without Courtney Gary-Allen’s steadfast commitment to saving lives and supporting recovery. I truly believe her behind-the-scenes work in the Maine Legislature over the past six years has been a driving force in reducing overdose deaths across our state.

I am committed to supporting the people and policies that help our neighbors access the care, housing, and support they need to build healthy and stable lives.

Took this photo the other evening from the sidewalk in front of our daughter’s home in DC.

A couple times each year, Janice and I try to make the trip down to visit her. This visit happened to line up with a record-breaking heat wave, but we were not about to let that stop us from exploring the city a bit. We spent a day at the National Zoo visiting the pandas and the three-month-old baby elephant, who completely stole the show.

The politics in Washington feel more discouraging right now than at any point in my lifetime, but the city itself remains beautiful, historic, and inspiring. Most importantly, any chance to spend time with our favorite girl is always worth the trip.

😊