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
When ICE targeted a member of Paul LePage’s family, the former Maine governor called the deportation unjust. Yet, LePage has shown little concern for the hundreds of other Maine families impacted by the immigration policies he has long supported, writes Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social.
Strimling: LePage’s family swept into the ICE raids. I do not feel his pain. - Maine Beacon
The irony of former Gov. Paul LePage’s outrage that a member of his family was swept up in an ICE raid would be laughable, were it not for the similar tragic consequences hundreds of Maine families ar...
mainebeacon.com
September 29, 2026 at 7:41 PM
When ICE targeted a member of Paul LePage’s family, the former Maine governor called the deportation unjust. Yet, LePage has shown little concern for the hundreds of other Maine families impacted by the immigration policies he has long supported, writes Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social.
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The Hearts of Pine have plenty of options for where to build their proposed $50 million stadium. Portland’s protected working waterfront shouldn’t be one of them, @strim.bsky.social says, pointing to decades of protections that have helped preserve marine industries and good-paying waterfront jobs.
Strimling: Portland’s working waterfront is no place for professional soccer - Maine Beacon
I love the Hearts of Pine. Been to my share of games. Have spent hundreds of bucks on gear. I’m on a first name basis with one of the owners. And I appreciated the statement they made last month calli...
mainebeacon.com
September 4, 2026 at 5:49 PM
The Hearts of Pine have plenty of options for where to build their proposed $50 million stadium. Portland’s protected working waterfront shouldn’t be one of them, @strim.bsky.social says, pointing to decades of protections that have helped preserve marine industries and good-paying waterfront jobs.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
📰 NEW OPINION PIECE: @strim.bsky.social is a fan of Portland's Hearts Of Pine soccer club. But, he writes, its plans to build a stadium on Portland's working waterfront would hurt the city.
This originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social, and is reprinted here with the author's permission.
This originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social, and is reprinted here with the author's permission.
Portland’s working waterfront is no place for professional soccer - Pine & Roses
All that said, the city of Portland should not carve out an exception to our working waterfront zone in order to allow them to build a $50 million dollar
pineandroses.org
September 9, 2026 at 1:23 PM
📰 NEW OPINION PIECE: @strim.bsky.social is a fan of Portland's Hearts Of Pine soccer club. But, he writes, its plans to build a stadium on Portland's working waterfront would hurt the city.
This originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social, and is reprinted here with the author's permission.
This originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social, and is reprinted here with the author's permission.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Hannah Pingree is leading the Maine governor’s race by double digits in some polls, but the bigger story, says Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social, may be what her election could mean for progressive legislation in Augusta. Click below to read Ethan's full column!
Strimling: Why Hannah Pingree is the right choice for Maine Governor - Maine Beacon
In case you forgot, with all the attention over the past month on Graham Platner’s implosion in the US Senate race and Troy Jackson’s rise to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, there is a race for governor...
mainebeacon.com
August 12, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Hannah Pingree is leading the Maine governor’s race by double digits in some polls, but the bigger story, says Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social, may be what her election could mean for progressive legislation in Augusta. Click below to read Ethan's full column!
Reposted by Ethan Striming
As ICE raids continue to disrupt communities, research suggests the consequences reach well beyond immigration enforcement. Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social explains how the economic costs are mounting for businesses, workers and local economies.
Strimling: ICE raids equal job losses and economic pain for all of us - Maine Beacon
When confronted with a human tragedy like the one we are now seeing under ICE, I rarely like talking about the economic consequences. Does the financial impact really matter in the face of almost 75,0...
mainebeacon.com
August 6, 2026 at 6:10 PM
As ICE raids continue to disrupt communities, research suggests the consequences reach well beyond immigration enforcement. Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social explains how the economic costs are mounting for businesses, workers and local economies.
Abolish ICE and defeat Collins (the former won’t happen without the latter).
mainebeacon.com/strimling-ab...
mainebeacon.com/strimling-ab...
Strimling: Abolish ICE and defeat Collins (the former won’t happen without the latter) - Maine Beacon
Maine has now joined the ranks of states with a resident murdered by ICE. A man who was here legally (as if that should matter). A father working two jobs to feed his family. Likely terrified that ICE...
mainebeacon.com
July 16, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Abolish ICE and defeat Collins (the former won’t happen without the latter).
mainebeacon.com/strimling-ab...
mainebeacon.com/strimling-ab...
Reposted by Ethan Striming
As Maine Democrats head into the general election united behind their nominee, Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social says that ranked choice voting helped progressives avoid splitting the vote. Meanwhile, Republicans' refusal to embrace the system left them with a "racist, phony MAGA nominee".
Strimling: Ranked choice voting worked! - Maine Beacon
One of my failings during the early months of this past gubernatorial election was my inability to understand why Nirav Shah was leading in all the polls. Yes, he had strong name ID, but so did many o...
mainebeacon.com
June 24, 2026 at 8:53 PM
As Maine Democrats head into the general election united behind their nominee, Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social says that ranked choice voting helped progressives avoid splitting the vote. Meanwhile, Republicans' refusal to embrace the system left them with a "racist, phony MAGA nominee".
Reposted by Ethan Striming
The most important decision voters make may not be who wins in November, but who advances from the primary, says @strim.bsky.social
"Primaries are where we truly set the direction of the work we want to accomplish," he writes. "So vote for who makes your heart sing, and do it by Tuesday at 8 p.m."
"Primaries are where we truly set the direction of the work we want to accomplish," he writes. "So vote for who makes your heart sing, and do it by Tuesday at 8 p.m."
Strimling: Why your Primary vote really matters. Really! (And, my predictions for who wins) - Maine Beacon
Tuesday is Primary Day and you really should vote like your life depends on it. Not like “Trump is on the ballot” life depending on it, but primary Day doesn’t get the attention it should from voters....
mainebeacon.com
June 8, 2026 at 8:29 PM
The most important decision voters make may not be who wins in November, but who advances from the primary, says @strim.bsky.social
"Primaries are where we truly set the direction of the work we want to accomplish," he writes. "So vote for who makes your heart sing, and do it by Tuesday at 8 p.m."
"Primaries are where we truly set the direction of the work we want to accomplish," he writes. "So vote for who makes your heart sing, and do it by Tuesday at 8 p.m."
Reposted by Ethan Striming
The Democratic primary for Maine governor is just around the corner, and Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social is sharing why voters should rank Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, and Hannah Pingree as their top three choices.
Strimling: Why I’m voting for Shenna, Troy and Hannah - Maine Beacon
Last week I wrote about why I would not be ranking Nirav Shah on my ballot in the Democratic primary for governor. The long and short of that column is that he told a group of powerful landlords that ...
mainebeacon.com
June 4, 2026 at 8:46 PM
The Democratic primary for Maine governor is just around the corner, and Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social is sharing why voters should rank Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, and Hannah Pingree as their top three choices.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Nirav Shah told a private landlord forum he opposes Section 8 tenant protections and rent control, and promised to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with landlords. @strim.bsky.social says the remarks reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of Maine’s housing crisis & why he won’t rank Shah in the primary.
Strimling: Why I won’t be ranking Nirav Shah this June - Maine Beacon
Up until a few weeks ago, I’d really been puzzled about what to do about Nirav Shah in the Democratic race for governor. I have never met him, but had seen all his ads, commented on his debates, and a...
mainebeacon.com
May 27, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Nirav Shah told a private landlord forum he opposes Section 8 tenant protections and rent control, and promised to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with landlords. @strim.bsky.social says the remarks reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of Maine’s housing crisis & why he won’t rank Shah in the primary.
With 300,000 renters in Maine, over half of whom are housing burdened, they are an often ignored constituency in terms of concrete solutions. To that end, I offer a Tenant Bill of Rights for those seeking office. The best and brightest of I have seen work, and what we need.
From banning broker fees to limiting security deposits and prohibiting no-cause evictions, Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social is urging Maine lawmakers to adopt a slate of protections for renters as housing costs continue to climb across the state.
Strimling: A Tenant Bill of Rights - Maine Beacon
More than 300,000 people in Maine are renters who live in one of Maine’s 155,000 units. And almost half of those people are paying much more rent than they can afford. In the past decade, many have se...
mainebeacon.com
May 14, 2026 at 2:54 PM
With 300,000 renters in Maine, over half of whom are housing burdened, they are an often ignored constituency in terms of concrete solutions. To that end, I offer a Tenant Bill of Rights for those seeking office. The best and brightest of I have seen work, and what we need.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Gov. Janet Mills entered the U.S. Senate race as on of the most powerful Democrats in Maine politics, Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social writes, but Mills' late entry, reliance on name recognition, and years of vetoing progressive priorities left her badly out of step with the Democratic base.
Strimling: Janet Mills’ conservative ideology catches up with her - Maine Beacon
How did it all go so wrong for Gov. Janet Mills in her quest to unseat Sen. Susan Collins? In case you missed it, last October, the current two term governor and former four-term attorney general (oth...
mainebeacon.com
May 7, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Gov. Janet Mills entered the U.S. Senate race as on of the most powerful Democrats in Maine politics, Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social writes, but Mills' late entry, reliance on name recognition, and years of vetoing progressive priorities left her badly out of step with the Democratic base.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
New from @strim.bsky.social, an opinion piece explaining why the citizen initiative effort to create universal healthcare in Maine is important to support. This piece originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social. #mepolitics
Why I am excited to sign the petition to pass Health Care for All Mainers - Pine & Roses
I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical when I first heard about the effort to achieve universal health care in Maine through a statewide citizen
pineandroses.org
May 1, 2026 at 3:04 PM
New from @strim.bsky.social, an opinion piece explaining why the citizen initiative effort to create universal healthcare in Maine is important to support. This piece originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social. #mepolitics
Reposted by Ethan Striming
As Maine’s 2nd Congressional District prepares for a new representative, Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social says the race is about more than just replacing Jared Golden — it’s about redefining what Democratic leadership should look like.
Strimling: Every Democrat running for CD2 will be better than Golden at reflecting Maine values - Maine Beacon
Look, I don’t want to berate political figures on their way out the door, but it turns out Rep. Jared Golden wasn’t just placating his right flank to win re-election over the past six years. It now ap...
mainebeacon.com
April 22, 2026 at 8:43 PM
As Maine’s 2nd Congressional District prepares for a new representative, Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social says the race is about more than just replacing Jared Golden — it’s about redefining what Democratic leadership should look like.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
There’s a lot packed into Maine’s newly passed supplemental budget, Opinion Columnist @strim.bsky.social writes, but one piece rises above the rest: lawmakers finally moved to increase taxes on the highest earners, reversing years of policy that favored the wealthy.
Strimling: Democrats got this budget right (including Mills) - Maine Beacon
Maine’s legislature passed a supplemental budget this past week and Gov. Janet Mills signed it. There is a lot to like in the budget, but let me take a minute to point out perhaps the most significant...
mainebeacon.com
April 17, 2026 at 10:37 PM
There’s a lot packed into Maine’s newly passed supplemental budget, Opinion Columnist @strim.bsky.social writes, but one piece rises above the rest: lawmakers finally moved to increase taxes on the highest earners, reversing years of policy that favored the wealthy.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
A Maine judge has delivered a win for tenants, upholding Portland’s rent control law and reinforcing the power of tenant unions to hold landlords accountable. @strim.bsky.social explains how the ruling affirms the city’s ability to keep housing affordable and how other leaders should follow suit.
Strimling: Maine court solidifies rent control’s power to protect tenants - Maine Beacon
On March 18, a Maine Superior Court judge summarily rejected the latest attempt by landlords to gut Portland’s rent control law and stifle the power of tenant unions. In fact, in her sweeping decision, Justice Darcie McElwee solidified rent control’s power to keep rents affordable in Maine’s largest city in a way many of us
mainebeacon.com
April 10, 2026 at 3:38 PM
A Maine judge has delivered a win for tenants, upholding Portland’s rent control law and reinforcing the power of tenant unions to hold landlords accountable. @strim.bsky.social explains how the ruling affirms the city’s ability to keep housing affordable and how other leaders should follow suit.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Contributor @strim.bsky.social notes the recent ruling by a Maine court that confirms the legality of rent control laws passed in Portland, initiated by Maine DSA. Landlords are not happy. #mepolitics
Maine Court Slams Landlords, Confirms Rent Control Laws Initiated by Maine DSA - Pine & Roses
On March 18, a Maine Superior Court judge summarily rejected the latest attempt by landlords to gut Portland’s rent control law and stifle the power
pineandroses.org
April 10, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Contributor @strim.bsky.social notes the recent ruling by a Maine court that confirms the legality of rent control laws passed in Portland, initiated by Maine DSA. Landlords are not happy. #mepolitics
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Contributor @strim.bsky.social writes on how important it is for Mainers to defeat the anti-trans referendum this Fall, and how it also serves as a tool to distract us from other issues the ultra-rich don't want us discussing. This piece originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social
Don’t be fooled – anti-trans referendum is just a distraction while they pick your pocket - Pine & Roses
Maine, thankfully, has mostly resisted this wave. Our legislators have defeated numerous efforts by GOP anti-trans legislators to persecute trans
pineandroses.org
March 27, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Contributor @strim.bsky.social writes on how important it is for Mainers to defeat the anti-trans referendum this Fall, and how it also serves as a tool to distract us from other issues the ultra-rich don't want us discussing. This piece originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social
Reposted by Ethan Striming
A new ballot initiative targeting trans kids isn't really about policy — it’s a political distraction designed to shift attention away from economic issues, writes Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social. Click the link below to read Ethan's full piece!
Strimling: Don’t be fooled – the anti-trans referendum is just a distraction while they pick your pocket - Maine Beacon
Since Pres. Donald Trump took office, the federal government and many states have rapidly escalated attacks on the trans community seeking to erode rights, block access to health care, and exclude the...
mainebeacon.com
March 25, 2026 at 5:37 PM
A new ballot initiative targeting trans kids isn't really about policy — it’s a political distraction designed to shift attention away from economic issues, writes Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social. Click the link below to read Ethan's full piece!
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Ep. 79 of ITA is up. Lot's on the plate, including a debate about what the uptick in GOP voters means for Maine. Ethan @strim.bsky.social says not much. Phil thinks it might show Maine is done with D's. w/ @patcallaghan6.bsky.social.
For the full podcast go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m21O...
For the full podcast go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m21O...
March 20, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Ep. 79 of ITA is up. Lot's on the plate, including a debate about what the uptick in GOP voters means for Maine. Ethan @strim.bsky.social says not much. Phil thinks it might show Maine is done with D's. w/ @patcallaghan6.bsky.social.
For the full podcast go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m21O...
For the full podcast go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m21O...
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Sen. Susan Collins repeatedly chose escalation over diplomacy with Iran — from opposing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to siding with Donald Trump’s latest war powers, @strim.bsky.social writes.
“War is what she wanted and war is what she got.”
“War is what she wanted and war is what she got.”
Strimling: Collins has always voted for war with Iran - Maine Beacon
Every time Sen. Susan Collins has made a consequential choice Susan Collins in regard to Iran, she has chosen to put us on a path to war. Back in 2015, Collins had a choice to ratify a painstakingly-n...
mainebeacon.com
March 11, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Sen. Susan Collins repeatedly chose escalation over diplomacy with Iran — from opposing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to siding with Donald Trump’s latest war powers, @strim.bsky.social writes.
“War is what she wanted and war is what she got.”
“War is what she wanted and war is what she got.”
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Two new polls show Gov. Janet Mills trailing in the Democratic primary to take on Collins. @strim.bsky.social argues that while the easiest political move might be for Mills to drop out, a competitive primary could ultimately strengthen Democrats. But, Mills needs bold action on affordability, fast.
Strimling: It’s time for Mills to drop out (or step up) - Maine Beacon
Based on recent polling, it doesn’t look good for Gov. Janet Mills. Two new polls show her down by somewhere between seven and 38 points in her race for the Democratic nomination to unseat Sen. Susan ...
mainebeacon.com
March 4, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Two new polls show Gov. Janet Mills trailing in the Democratic primary to take on Collins. @strim.bsky.social argues that while the easiest political move might be for Mills to drop out, a competitive primary could ultimately strengthen Democrats. But, Mills needs bold action on affordability, fast.
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Landlords cried that new tenant protections would hurt housing development in Portland, ME. @strim.bsky.social shows that hasn't been true. In fact, over the last five years development has increased since their implementation.
[Piece originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social ]
[Piece originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social ]
Portland's Housing Development Booming After Maine DSA Sponsored Tenant Protections - Pine & Roses
My personal favorite bug-a-boo, of course, is around housing. If you dare to regulate the housing market to prevent landlords from gouging tenants and to stop
pineandroses.org
March 1, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Landlords cried that new tenant protections would hurt housing development in Portland, ME. @strim.bsky.social shows that hasn't been true. In fact, over the last five years development has increased since their implementation.
[Piece originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social ]
[Piece originally appeared in @mainebeacon.bsky.social ]
Reposted by Ethan Striming
Five years after Portland passed rent control and required developers to set aside 25% of new units as affordable, new data shows housing development is up — not down. Read more in Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social's newest piece!
Strimling: Portland’s housing development is booming 5 years into tenant protections - Maine Beacon
I have often said to the business community, “Hey, business community, you have to stop crying wolf all the time.” Seriously, when someone proposes raising the minimum wage 10 cents or $10, they screa...
mainebeacon.com
February 26, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Five years after Portland passed rent control and required developers to set aside 25% of new units as affordable, new data shows housing development is up — not down. Read more in Opinion columnist @strim.bsky.social's newest piece!
Reposted by Ethan Striming
We are pleased to reprint this opinion piece by @strim.bsky.social, originally published in @mainebeacon.bsky.social. Ethan acknowledges Maine Sec. of State Shenna Bellows for standing up to Trump's regime time and time again.
Opinion: Bellows is Badass - Pine & Roses
That explained, my first official “Badass Award” goes to Shenna Bellows for how she has used the Secretary of State’s office to oppose Trump. She hasn’t just
pineandroses.org
February 20, 2026 at 3:36 PM
We are pleased to reprint this opinion piece by @strim.bsky.social, originally published in @mainebeacon.bsky.social. Ethan acknowledges Maine Sec. of State Shenna Bellows for standing up to Trump's regime time and time again.