The Gist
U.S. Representative, 1st Congressional District

Ronald C. Russell

Candidate for U.S. Representative, 1st Congressional District

Republican

Background

Occupation
Retired U.S. Army officer; defense contractor
Lives in
Kennebunkport
Campaign website
ronrussellforcongress.com

A West Point graduate raised on a Fort Fairfield potato farm, he served 30 years in the U.S. Army as an Airborne Ranger and Special Forces officer, retiring in 2006, then co-founded a defense contracting business. He moved back to Maine in 2021.

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Documented positions

Public safety

  • Supports higher pay for police and first responders.

    Reducing Crime & Supporting First Responders - Ron Russell

    Campaign website · Ron Russell for Congress · ronrussellforcongress.com

    “We need to pay our law enforcement and first responders a decent wage so we attract the best and the brightest to the field.”
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  • Opposes banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

    Answered "No" in the lightning round of his Maine Public questionnaire.

    Your Vote 2026 profile: Ron Russell, Republican for 1st District

    Candidate questionnaire · Maine Public · Apr 17, 2026 · Lightning round: answered No · mainepublic.org

    “Do you think that assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and bump stocks should be banned?”
    Report

Education

  • Supports school choice and a back-to-basics curriculum.

    Education - Ron Russell

    Campaign website · Ron Russell for Congress · ronrussellforcongress.com

    “embrace reforms like school choice to ensure every student has the best shot at success”
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Health & human services

  • Proposes ending MaineCare coverage for immigrants without legal status.

    Your Vote 2026 profile: Ron Russell, Republican for 1st District

    Candidate questionnaire · Maine Public · Apr 17, 2026 · mainepublic.org

    “The expansion of Mainecare to include illegal immigrants has increased the costs to the program and needs to be eliminated.”
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  • Supports studying alternatives to Social Security for future workers.

    He said current beneficiaries would not be moved to a new program; those now paying in would be transitioned.

    Your Vote 2026 profile: Ron Russell, Republican for 1st District

    Candidate questionnaire · Maine Public · Apr 17, 2026 · mainepublic.org

    “I think alternative programs to Social Security need to be investigated”
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  • Opposes a right to abortion.

    Answered "No" in the lightning round of his Maine Public questionnaire.

    Your Vote 2026 profile: Ron Russell, Republican for 1st District

    Candidate questionnaire · Maine Public · Apr 17, 2026 · Lightning round: answered No · mainepublic.org

    “Do you support the right to an abortion?”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Supports requiring photo ID to vote.

    Answered "Yes" in the lightning round of his Maine Public questionnaire.

    Your Vote 2026 profile: Ron Russell, Republican for 1st District

    Candidate questionnaire · Maine Public · Apr 17, 2026 · Lightning round: answered Yes · mainepublic.org

    “Should it be necessary to provide a photo ID in order to vote?”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Ronald C. Russell on them.

  • Economy & jobsNo documented position found.
  • Environment & parksNo documented position found.

All sources (11)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.