State officials say elections stayed secure last fall despite increased polarization and conflicts at the polls.

Chief among them is the Senate race in Maine, where GOP Sen. Susan Collins is facing reelection in a state Trump lost by about 7 points in 2024.

Regardless of the outcome, what occurs in Maine this year will tell us much about the future of not only the state but the country. Even if Maine doesn’t transform into a swing state, we will, at least, regain our status as a bellwether — for better or for worse.

D. Allan Kerr is an ex-dockworker, former newspaperman and U.S. Navy veteran living in Kittery, Maine.

In announcing his candidacy, Mason cited challenges facing the state, including rising costs, public safety concerns, workforce shortages, and housing pressures.