State Senator District 35 in Maine State Senate District 35, Maine

2026 Primary Election

• Michele Meyer — Incumbent State Representative in Eliot, ME

  Michele Meyer, a four-term Maine State Representative and Registered Nurse from Eliot, is a Democratic candidate for State Senate District 35 in 2026. She is endorsed by retiring Senator Mark Lawrence. As House Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee for three terms, Meyer brings extensive experience in healthcare and social policy, focusing on issues like child welfare, housing, and the healthcare workforce. She advocates for a people-centered approach to government, emphasizing critical thinking, listening, and compassion cultivated during her nursing career. Meyer seeks to bring proven leadership and continuity to the Senate.

• Julie N Rakic — Small business owner and real estate agent in ME

  Julie N. Rakic, a 10th-generation Mainer and multi-generational small business owner, is running for State Senate. Her professional background includes over 20 years in the beauty industry and work as a residential real estate agent in Maine and New Hampshire. A wife and mother of two, she is driven by concerns for her children's future and her elderly parents' healthcare. Rakic advocates for growing good-paying jobs, expanding affordable childcare by aligning regulations, and increasing technical, trade, and vocational education. She aims to lower taxes on individuals to combat rising costs and improve healthcare access by funding and recruiting professionals. She believes current leaders are out of touch and seeks to fight for opportunity and prosperity for all Mainers.

• Deane Rykerson — Architect in Kittery Point, ME

  Deane Rykerson is a Democratic candidate for the Maine State Senate, representing District 35, in the 2026 primary election. An architect by profession, he holds degrees from the Boston Architectural College and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Rykerson previously served in the Maine House of Representatives from 2012 to 2020, representing Kittery, where he earned the nickname "Green Deane" for his environmental advocacy. He lives in Kittery Point, Maine, with his wife and has three grown children. Rykerson advocates for criminal justice reform, fair education funding, environmental protection, and workers' rights, including a livable wage. He believes Maine can lead in preserving human rights, driven by a sense of duty during what he calls a "perilous time for our democracy." He also serves as president of the Tide Mill Institute and is active in other community organizations.