Pine State Politics: In Session

Natalie Emmerson and Larsen Van Horn
  • 5.0 (3)
  • GOVERNMENT

Have you ever asked the question: Who are these crazy people asking for my signature while I'm trying to vote?? Attempting to answer this question, and others like it, became the inspiration behind our podcast- Pine State Politics: In Session. Join us as we explore questions about how our system of government operates, and how elections work in Maine. These conversations were born from curiosity about how the political system functions, prioritizing the process over the politics. We learned a lot, and we hope you will too!

Episodes

  1. 05/17/2025

    Read All About It! - Reporting on Campaigns

    For our eight and final episode, we sit down with the Editor and Chief of the Maine Wire, Steve Robinson. Steve answers questions such as: "what do journalists consider newsworthy?" and "how do you report on different events?" Our conversation explores the journalist thinking and choices behind how the story of an election is told to the public.

    55 min

  2. 05/17/2025

    Show Me the Money! - Clean Elections Funding

    In our seventh episode we sit down with Maine State Senator Cameron Reny. Senator Reny walks us through how to run a campaign using Clean Election Funds, a system that allows candidates for state office to publicly finance their campaigns. Fun Fact: Senator Reny was Natalie's middle school guidance counselor!

    47 min

  3. 05/17/2025

    Walking for the Win - A Guide to Campaigning in Maine pt. 2

    In episode six, we hear from former US Secretary of Defense, US Senator, and US Congressman Bill Cohen, alongside his old friend, Professor Emeritus at Bowdoin College and expert on all things Maine politics, Chris Potholm. Chris Potholm served as campaign manager for Secretary Cohen's first campaign. Together, they tell us the story of their successful 1972 congressional campaign.

    57 min

  4. 05/17/2025

    Methods to the Madness - Examining Campaign Strategy

    In our fifth episode we sit down with seasoned campaign professional and lobbyist Lauren LePage to talk all things campaign strategy. Lauren is the daughter of former Maine State Governor Paul LePage, and she explains campaign strategy through the lens of Governor LePage's 2010 and 2014 campaigns.

    47 min

  5. 05/07/2025

    As Maine Goes, So Goes the Nation - Ranked Choice Voting

    For episode number four, we speak with Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap. Before becoming the State Auditor, Matt Dunlap served as Maine's Secretary of State for 14 years. During that time, he presided over the passing and implementation of Ranked Choice Voting, as Maine became the first state in the nation to use RCV state wide. In this episode, he tells us the story!

    41 min

  6. 05/07/2025

    Leave Me Alone! - Referendums, Ballot Initiatives, and Petitions in Maine

    In our third episode, we sit down with the former Deputy Campaign Manager for Pine Tree Power Lucy Hochschartner, and Bowdoin Professor Max Lykins. Lucy talks to us about the logistics behind referendums, ballot initiatives, and the petition process in Maine, while Professor Lykins walks us through the constitutional theory behind direct democracy and referendums.

    59 min

  7. 05/07/2025

    An Independent Perspective - A Guide to Campaigning in Maine pt. 1

    In our second episode we sit down with current US Senator and former Governor of Maine Angus King, and his long-time campaign manager and chief of staff Kay Rand. Senator King and Kay provide their thoughts on the 1994 gubernatorial election and reflect on what it took to run their campaign.

    58 min

  8. 05/06/2025

    Decoding the Political Ecosystem - Politics from DC to Maine

    For our first episode, we sit down with veteran lobbyist and DC insider Peter Madigan, as well as Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. Our two guests take us through the process of how our government works, with a special emphasis on the difference between DC and Maine (federal and state structures).

    1h 2m
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Have you ever asked the question: Who are these crazy people asking for my signature while I'm trying to vote?? Attempting to answer this question, and others like it, became the inspiration behind our podcast- Pine State Politics: In Session. Join us as we explore questions about how our system of government operates, and how elections work in Maine. These conversations were born from curiosity about how the political system functions, prioritizing the process over the politics. We learned a lot, and we hope you will too!

Information

  • Creator
    Natalie Emmerson and Larsen Van Horn
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Natalie Emmerson and Larsen Van Horn
  • Show Website
    Pine State Politics: In Session