I’ve known Maine State Senator Rick Bennett — now an independent candidate for governor — since high school. His subsequent success has never surprised me. What has been gratifying is reconnecting decades later over a shared passion: strengthening American democracy.
Those of us in the democracy-reform community have long pointed to Maine as proof that structural change is possible when citizens take ownership of their government. From open primaries to campaign-finance reform to the nation’s first statewide adoption of ranked-choice voting (RCV), Maine has repeatedly led the way. And Rick Bennett has been a consistent, courageous advocate of that progress.
My own history with Rick in this space goes back to 2016. At the time, Maine was considering a ballot initiative to adopt RCV for state offices. RCV was not widely understood and faced long odds. Rick was then chair of the Maine GOP — a role in which he had no obvious political incentive to support a new electoral reform. Still, I reached out, and Rick graciously agreed to meet over lunch in Augusta. We talked through how RCV works, why it strengthens majority outcomes, and why it reduces the spoiler dynamics that hold voters hostage to party candidates.
Against expectations, Maine voters passed the initiative. After surviving stiff legal challenges, RCV has been used ever since in state primaries and in all federal elections. Whether that lunch years ago influenced Rick or not, what matters is this: over time he came to support — and at times lead — democracy reforms that expand voter power, reduce special-interest influence, and make elections more honest and representative.
Rick helped open Maine’s primaries to the state’s large bloc of unaffiliated voters, enfranchising a third of the electorate. He chaired the successful campaign to ban election spending by foreign governments — a measure that passed with a record-breaking margin. He played a key role in advancing efforts to rein in dark money and strengthen public accountability. And throughout his legislative career, he has consistently defended ranked-choice voting and respected the will of the voters even when his own party pushed to overturn the reform.
Rick doesn’t just talk about reform. He delivers it.
This through-line of independence is what makes Rick’s current run for governor so compelling — and so important for the national reform movement. Rick recently left the Republican Party, not because it was convenient and not because his policy beliefs drifted but because remaining inside the party made it harder to work directly for the people he represents. For anyone who has spent time in politics, that level of courage and integrity is rare.
Rick’s leadership extends beyond democracy reform. As a former president of the Maine Senate — elected unanimously by his peers — he earned a reputation for solving problems by listening first and building coalitions second. He has worked across the aisle to address housing affordability, expand educational opportunity, improve broadband access, and confront the opioid crisis. In his private-sector life, he has helped grow Maine-based businesses, steward difficult turnarounds, and create jobs.
But the thread connecting his work is consistent: accountability to voters, not parties or insiders.
When I hosted a small gathering for Rick this summer, I saw something I’ve rarely seen in today’s polarized environment: people across the political spectrum coming to hear what Rick had to offer. They valued his authenticity, and heard someone who speaks about effective government, not as an abstract academic project but as the foundation for tackling the issues that shape everyday life — housing, healthcare, education, and economic mobility. If the government isn’t accountable to the people, it cannot solve real problems.
Rick and I don’t agree on every policy issue. We shouldn’t have to. What we do share is a belief that the health of our democracy is the precondition for progress on everything else; that reform must be grounded in respect for the voter; and that elected leaders should serve their constituents rather than donors, party bosses, or special interests.
Maine is no stranger to independent leadership. The state has twice elected independents to the governor’s office in the modern era, and few public servants have Rick Bennett’s depth of experience to follow in that tradition. But let’s be honest: running outside the major parties means forfeiting the funding advantages and institutional infrastructure they provide. Reformers across the country know this story well. If you choose the harder path — the path aligned with voter power rather than entrenched power — you need the movement at your back.
Rick Bennett has long advanced reforms that put voters first. Regardless of who holds office, what matters most is that citizens continue to demand integrity, independence, and innovation in our democracy.
John E. Palmer is chairman of Rank the Vote and a member of the board of the National Association of Nonpartisan Reformers.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or endorsement of The Fulcrum, its staff, or its parent organization. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, The Fulcrum does not endorse or oppose any candidates for public office. Publication of this piece is intended to foster civic dialogue and does not constitute organizational support for any political campaign.
