Russell Black is a Republican state senator from Maine, representing Senate District 5, who is running for the Maine House of Representatives, District 74, in the November 3, 2026 general election. A farmer and logger, he served in the Maine House from 2010 to 2018 before moving to the Senate.[1][2]
Russell Black lives in Wilton, Maine, and graduated from Mt. Blue High School.[1]His career experience includes owning Black Acres Farm and working as a farmer and logger.[1]Ballotpedia lists service as director and president of the Wilton Lions Club, director and vice president of the Franklin County Farm Bureau, and director of the Farmington Farmers Union.[1]
Black represented District 114 in the Maine House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018, where he served on the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, and then joined the Maine State Senate in 2018.[1]His current Senate term ends on December 1, 2026, and he is not running for re-election to the Senate.[1]He advanced from the June 9, 2026 Republican primary for House District 74 and faces Democrat Marc Edwards in the general election.[1][2]In the 2025-2026 session he was assigned to the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee and the Senatorial Vote Committee.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
›Jobs & cost of living188 with · 22 against215 votes
On the version voted Feb 10, 2026: Exempts statewide nonprofit agricultural membership organizations that offer health care benefits to farmers from the health insurance definition if they meet requirements on eligibility, financial documentation, disclosure and a complaint process.
Jun 25, 2025 · Failed 16–16 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Creates the Maine Quality Care Act, setting minimum direct care registered nurse staffing levels by patient care unit in hospitals, freestanding emergency departments and ambulatory surgical facilities, with staffing calculation, anti-retaliation, record-keeping and civil-penalty enforcement provisions.
Apr 10, 2025 · Passed 18–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As introduced, requires the State Court Administrator to contract for court security when a lack of security disrupts more than 2% of a court's scheduled time in a month, offering the contract first to the county sheriff's office.
Jun 10, 2025 · Failed 16–16 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As amended in committee, bars possessing, importing or transferring firearms, frames and receivers without serial numbers, with exceptions such as antiques and curios or relics; lets licensed dealers imprint serial numbers; and bars making, selling or knowingly possessing undetectable firearms.
Jun 25, 2025 · Passed 17–16 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As introduced, requires firearm dealers to meet state security standards, background-check and train employees, keep records, report thefts, annually certify compliance (false certification is a Class C crime), and post notices on child safety, background checks and suicide prevention.
Apr 29, 2025 · Passed 17–16 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As amended, beginning January 1, 2030, lets a tenant end a lease on 30 days' written notice if the landlord did not give the required signed energy efficiency disclosure statement, and bars the landlord from keeping any fee or security deposit for that termination.
On the version voted Apr 30, 2025: Requires the Public Advocate, when taking positions in proceedings, to use independent judgment so those positions are consistent with cost-effective implementation for ratepayers of the state's greenhouse gas emissions reduction obligations.
Apr 29, 2025 · Passed 18–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Jun 16, 2025: Changes renewable and clean energy procurement laws, setting 2040 goals of 90% renewable and 10% clean electricity, defining Class III clean resources including nuclear and qualifying hydroelectric, and letting the Public Utilities Commission coordinate procurement with other states.
Jun 17, 2025 · Failed 17–17 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As amended, requires MaineCare to pay Maine Veterans' Homes facilities a daily rate per MaineCare resident, set by the department and adjusted annually for inflation, and appropriates funding.
Jun 25, 2025 · Failed 16–17 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted May 7, 2025: Establishes a COVID-19 Review Commission to review the state's COVID-19 response, including executive orders, related contracts, health data, and agency policies and rules, and to report its findings.
Creates the Maine Quality Care Act, setting minimum direct care registered nurse staffing levels by patient care unit in hospitals, freestanding emergency departments and ambulatory surgical facilities, with staffing calculation, anti-retaliation, record-keeping and civil-penalty enforcement provisions.
Apr 10, 2025 · Passed 18–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Allows a school board to let a board member's spouse serve as a stipend employee and volunteer, and allows a written nepotism policy for stipend positions. The provisions repeal July 1, 2028.
On the version voted May 20, 2025: Creates the Hope and Inclusion Scholarship Program, in which parents of qualified private school and home-instruction students receive accounts funded by shifting 90% of the state and local essential programs and services funding for each student.
May 21, 2025 · Passed 17–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As amended, creates a Department of Education grant program for partnerships between colleges, community action agencies and public school systems on mental health, public health and staff development, with $250,000 in one-time funding.
May 21, 2025 · Passed 17–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Jun 10, 2025: Creates a fund at the Maine State Housing Authority to support resident ownership of mobile home parks, financed by a $10,000-per-lot fee on sales of such parks, with buyers whose net worth is under $50,000,000 exempt.
Jun 11, 2025 · Passed 18–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As amended, beginning January 1, 2030, lets a tenant end a lease on 30 days' written notice if the landlord did not give the required signed energy efficiency disclosure statement, and bars the landlord from keeping any fee or security deposit for that termination.
As introduced, broadens drug-impairment testing law to cover impairment by any drug, replaces "drug recognition expert" with "law enforcement officer", and clarifies that the Secretary of State immediately suspends the license of a person who fails to submit to or complete the test.
Jun 11, 2025 · Passed 18–16 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As introduced, requires the Maine State Ferry Service to consult the Ferry Advisory Board on budgets, planning and major operational decisions, consider its recommendations and report to it regularly; requires the board to review the service annually and report to the Legislature by January 15.
Jun 25, 2025 · Failed 16–16 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Jun 16, 2025: Requires the Department of Transportation and Maine Turnpike Authority to assess whether capacity expansion projects raise greenhouse gas emissions or per-capita vehicle miles traveled, and to alter scope or design to ensure a neutral or lower impact.
Jun 10, 2025 · Passed 19–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As introduced, creates the Maine Consumer Data Privacy Act, effective July 1, 2026, regulating how businesses collect, use, sell and delete residents' personal data and limiting collection to what is reasonably necessary for disclosed purposes.
Jun 25, 2025 · Passed 18–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As amended, bars knowingly or recklessly disclosing a minor's personal identifying information that causes stalking, physical harm, serious property damage or reasonable fear for the safety of the minor or a close relation; allows civil damages, brought through a representative, and protection from harassment orders.
Jun 10, 2025 · Passed 18–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Jun 25, 2025: Directs the Maine Arts Commission to study federal and national efforts to protect artists from AI copyright infringement and to monitor educational use of copyrighted work, with $25,000 in one-time funding.
Apr 23, 2025 · Passed 18–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
As amended, requires MaineCare to pay Maine Veterans' Homes facilities a daily rate per MaineCare resident, set by the department and adjusted annually for inflation, and appropriates funding.
Jun 25, 2025 · Failed 16–17 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
A yes vote adopted Senate Amendment B to LD 299, which replaces the committee amendment with a $45 million bond for agriculture and forestry funds, widens drought-program grant eligibility and adds two advisory board members. (AI-written)
What it does: Authorizes a $45 million bond, subject to voter approval, for agricultural and forestry funds, adds livestock stress and hay losses to Farmers Drought Resilience Program grants, and adds two members to the agriculture…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 20–0, Republicans 6–7
What it does: Authorizes a $45 million bond, subject to voter approval, for agricultural and forestry funds, adds livestock stress and hay losses to Farmers Drought Resilience Program grants, and adds two members to the agriculture…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 19–0, Republicans 3–10
An Act to Change Supervisory Authority over the Capitol Police
A yes vote accepted the majority "Ought to Pass as Amended" report on LD 2165; Committee Amendment "A" removes the State Police Lieutenant position over Capitol Police and lets the Public Safety Commissioner decide who supervises the bureau. (AI-written)
What it does: On the version voted Apr 7, 2026: Removes the State Police Lieutenant position that supervises the Bureau of Capitol Police and lets the Commissioner of Public Safety decide whether the Capitol Police chief or the Sta…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 18–1, Republicans 3–7
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
SC 1080 · ME SENATE
ACF - nomination of Judith Camuso of Falmouth, for appointment to the Land For Maine's Future Board
NoVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Judith Camuso of Falmouth for Appointment to the Land for Maine's Future Board be Overridden?
Would override the committee's recommendation to confirm Judith Camuso of Falmouth as a member of the Land for Maine's Future Board.
ACF - nomination of Patrick C. Keliher of Alna, for appointment to the Land For Maine's Future Board
YesVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Patrick C. Keliher of Alna for Appointment to the Land for Maine's Future Board be Overridden?
Would override the committee's recommendation to confirm Patrick C. Keliher of Alna as a member of the Land for Maine's Future Board.
HCIFS - nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth, for appointment to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care
YesVOTED
Motion: COMMIT — Commit Nomination and Accompanying Papers to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services (S.C. 1037)
Would send the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care back to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee instead of proceeding to a confirmation vote.
A yes vote would have indefinitely postponed the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care, ending its consideration without a confirmation vote. (AI-written)
Would send the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care back to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee instead of proceeding to a confirmation vote.
HCIFS - nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth, for appointment to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care
YesVOTED
Motion: COMMIT — Commit Nomination and Accompanying Papers to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services (S.C. 1037)
Would send the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care back to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee instead of proceeding to a confirmation vote.
HCIFS - nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth, for appointment to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care
YesVOTED
Motion: TABLE UNTIL LATER — Table Until Later (S.C. 1037)
A yes vote would have tabled the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care until later, delaying the confirmation vote. (AI-written)
Would send the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care back to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee instead of proceeding to a confirmation vote.
HCIFS - nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth, for appointment to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care
YesVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth for Appointment to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care be Overridden? YEA: 12 NAY: 18 ABSENT: 0 EXCUSED: 5 MOTION: FAILS (Confirmed)
A yes vote would have overridden the committee's recommendation to confirm Dr. Patrick Connolly to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care, rejecting his confirmation. (AI-written)
Would send the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care back to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee instead of proceeding to a confirmation vote.
HED - nomination of Tami Gower of Wells, for appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine
NoVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Housing and Economic Development that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Tami Gower of Wells for Appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine be Overridden?
Would override the committee's recommendation to confirm Tami Gower of Wells as a member of the Finance Authority of Maine.
HED - nomination of Juliet Browne, Esq. of Portland, for appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine
YesVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Housing and Economic Development that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Juliet Browne, Esq. of Portland for Appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine be Overridden?
Would override the committee's recommendation to confirm Juliet Browne, Esq. of Portland as a member of the Finance Authority of Maine.
HED - nomination of Daniel Kleban of Cumberland Foreside, for appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine
YesVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Housing and Economic Development that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Daniel Kleban of Cumberland Foreside for Appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine be Overridden?
Would override the committee's recommendation to confirm Daniel Kleban of Cumberland Foreside as a member of the Finance Authority of Maine.
