Findings
Prompts to look closer at the public records, each with the rule and the law it rests on. None is a finding of wrongdoing. All findings
Context Outside spending
Outside groups spent $12,376 for or against them, more than their campaign's $8,000
Independent expenditures: $9,129 supporting and $3,247 opposing. The largest: The House Republican Fund $6,000 (for); MAINE DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE $3,247 (against); Renew the American Dream $2,473 (for); Leadership for Maine's Future PAC $500 (for).
What to check- Who funds the largest spenders (their own reports to the Commission)
Rule: Outside spending larger than the campaign
“"independent expenditure" means any expenditure made by a person, party committee or political action committee that is not made in cooperation, consultation or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate”21-A MRSA §1019-B(1) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works
Context Ethics Commission
Before the Ethics Commission (2024-11-04): Complaint – Regarding Possible In-Kind Contribution to Candidate Susan Bernard
Caribou resident Ginette Rivard filed a complaint alleging that the Aroostook County Republican Committee paid for radio ads to support Ms. Susan Bernard’s campaign for the State Senate. As a Maine Clean Election Candidate, she is prohibited from receiving donations from outside sources except for independent expenditures or party candidate listings as permitted by law. Ms. Rivard asks the Commission to investigate the radio expenses made by the committee. The motion: “To take no further action on this complaint” Vote: 4-0.
What to check- What the Commission decided, in the motion and the minutes
- A complaint is an allegation, not a finding
The Commission's meeting of 2024-11-04The staff memo
Rule: A complaint or other matter before the Ethics Commission
“The commission shall review the application and shall make the investigation if the reasons stated for the request show sufficient grounds for believing that a violation may have occurred.”21-A MRSA §1003(2) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works
Context Ethics Commission
Before the Ethics Commission (2022-10-26): Complaint – Lack of Disclosure Statement in Mailing Supporting Candidate Susan Bernard Additional Materials for Agenda Item #2
Mr. Rommy Haines filed a complaint asserting that a mailing sent in support of Rep. Susan Bernard’s campaign for State Senate, District 1 lacked the required disclosure concerning who paid for the mailing and whether it had been authorized by the candidate. The motion: “That the campaign was in violation of 21-A M.R.S. § 1014 (1).” Vote: 5-0.
What to check- What the Commission decided, in the motion and the minutes
- A complaint is an allegation, not a finding
The Commission's meeting of 2022-10-26The staff memo
Rule: A complaint or other matter before the Ethics Commission
“The commission shall review the application and shall make the investigation if the reasons stated for the request show sufficient grounds for believing that a violation may have occurred.”21-A MRSA §1003(2) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works
Named in lobbyists' reports
Events and spending on officials that lobbyists reported to the Ethics Commission since 2024 and whose list of officials names Sue Bernard: 8 from 5 clients. The cost is the whole event's or item's, shared by everyone it names, not what was spent on them.
| Client (lobbyist) | What, when | Cost (all named) |
|---|
AARP
Noel Bonam | Event: Older Mainers Day - Welcome Center Breakfast. AARP hosted a breakfast at the Welcome Center of the Legislature for the media and legislators to highlight the home and community based services needs of Older Mainers. · February 2026 · names 7 members | $794.67 |
| Event: Pastry and Policy Breakfast to highlight the importance of the Older Mainers Act · May 2025 · names 14 members | $695.54 |
| Event: Legislative Lunch & Learn on Older Adult Issues and Vital Voices Survey · May 2025 · names 51 members | $1,480.31 |
Maine Forest Products Council
Patrick Strauch | Event: Legislative Breakfast · February 2025 · names 25 members | $720.50 |
| Event: Legislative Breakfast · January 2025 · names 23 members | $720.50 |
Maine Council on Aging
Jessica Fay | Event: Caucus on Aging - Lunch and Learn · March 2026 · names 28 members | $335 |
Maine Center for Economic Policy
Maura Pillsbury | Event: Lunch and Learn on Guaranteed Basic Income in Maine · February 2026 · names 18 members | $315.20 |
DraftKings Inc.
Michael Saxl | Event: Lunch and Learn Re: LD 1164 · June 2025 · names 98 members | $1,676.92 |
Matched by name and title (“Rep. Bell”, “Senator Brad Farrin”); a name that fits two members isn't counted. Check the reports on the lobbying system.
Campaign money: Representative · Traditionally financed
$8,050raised to date (the Commission's list, October 17, 2026); $3,629 spent
$8,000itemized in 2026, 22 contributions
$0from the candidate (incl. loans)
$4,421cash on hand on September 15, 2026 (42 Day Pre General Report)
Where their contributions come from
46%13%26%13%
IndividualsBusinessesTrade, professional and issue groupsLabor unionsTribal nationsPolitical partiesOther candidates and officeholders
Compare with all 2026 candidates →
How it was spent: $3,629
Palm cards, signs, stickers$2,100
Mail house$1,375
Social media and online ads$100
Events$55
Largest payees: Spectrum Marketing Companies $1,920 Mail house · AGE Graphics $984 Palm cards, signs, stickers · Boulevard Graphix $571 Palm cards, signs, stickers · Brent Greenlaw $100 Social media and online ads · Dollar General $32 Events · Grand Rental Station $23 Events
Payments in 2026, by the Ethics Commission's expenditure codes.
| Top contributors | Type | Total |
|---|
Still Fed Up With Taxes PAC
Turner | PAC | $1,000 |
Bob's Sport Shop
Fort Fairfield | Business | $500 |
Bruce Flewelling
agriculture · Self Employed Farmer · Easton | Person | $500 |
Bradley's Citgo and C-Store
Presque Isle | Business | $500 |
Grow Maine PAC
Poland | PAC | $500 |
The Leadership PAC for Maine
Alexandria | Party committee | $500 |
Janet McGillan
construction engineering · Self Employed General Contractor · Fort Fairfield | Person | $500 |
Glenn Martin
corporate pilot(MMG)/independent contractor for agriculture industry (engineer) · Maine Mutual Group · Hamlin | Person | $500 |
Renew The American Dream PAC
Arlington | PAC | $500 |
Aroostook County Republican Committee
Caribou | Party committee | $500 |
Kenneth Fredette
attorney legal · Law Office of Kenneth W. Fredette · Newport | Person | $300 |
Nathan Sprague
retired · Williamsburg | Person | $300 |
Jason House
Business Owner · Macannamac Camps · Mapleton | Person | $250 |
Peter Fox
automotive industry · Advanced Auto Parts · Caribou | Person | $250 |
Mark J Blier
government civil · State of Maine · Buxton | Person | $250 |
Bernard, Susan on the Ethics Commission's campaign finance search. Itemized transactions: 2026 from the Commission's files as posted October 17, 2026, and 2025 from the campaign's own reports.