Ronald C. Russell

Russell grew up on his family's potato farm in northern Maine and describes himself as a native Mainer.[1][3][7] Ballotpedia lists him as born in Fort Fairfield, Maine, and as a 1976 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point who served in the U.S. Army until 2006.[8] In his own words he served 30 years in the military as an Airborne Ranger and Special Forces Green Beret.[3][7]

After his military service Russell lived in the South, started a small operations and intelligence business, and worked about 15 years as a Department of Defense contractor.[3][7] Ballotpedia describes his career as including work for a defense contractor and later co-owning another company.[8]

Russell returned to Maine to run for office; he is a Kennebunkport resident and had not held elected office before 2024.[2][3] He won the 2024 Republican primary over Andrew Piantidosi and lost the November 2024 general election to Pingree by more than 20 points.[2][3][7] He won the June 9, 2026 Republican primary over Joshua James Pietrowicz.[2] He received 34.1% of the vote to Chellie Pingree's 65.9%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[4]