Maine Republicans have launched a major ad buy targeting Democrats competing in four state Senate races in Windham, Auburn, Augusta and Orono.

Maine Senate Republicans purchased $67,000 worth of digital attack ads on Sept. 16 targeting two incumbents – Sen. Timothy Nangle, D-Windham, and Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono – as well as Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, D-Augusta, and former state Rep. Bettyann Sheats, D-Auburn, who are running for open seats.

It’s the first significant ad buy since Labor Day, which marks the traditional start to the campaign season, and it signals what Republicans believe are their most competitive races. It comes after Democrats spent more than $6,000 on mailers in August opposing Kenneth Cianchette, the Republican candidate trying flip the District 26 seat held by Nangle.

Tipping is being challenged by Republican Leo Kenney; LaRochelle is running against Rep. Dick Bradstreet, R-Vassalboro; and Sheats faces two opponents: former Rep. Bruce Bickford, R-Auburn, and independent Dustin Ward, of Auburn.

Screenshot of Maine Republican Party ad

Digital ads being run on sites such as Facebook blame Nangle and Tipping for high property taxes, primarily for their support in repealing the senior property tax stabilization program, which was enacted with little fanfare in 2022 but proved unpopular, leading to ballooning costs for the state and municipalities.

The decision to repeal the program and bolster other property tax relief programs was a bipartisan deal included last year in the state budget. Republicans and Democrats both viewed the stabilization program as unsustainable.

LaRochelle and Sheats are being targeted over high electricity prices, primarily for supporting solar farms, which are partially funded by ratepayers.

While natural gas costs are a major driver of electricity prices in Maine, Public Advocate Bill Harwood has estimated that net energy billing, which subsidizes solar, could add $6 a month per household and even larger increases for businesses, with a total cost of $220 million for ratepayers beginning in 2025.

Races for the Legislature, which appear to favor Republicans because of the high number of Democrats not seeking reelection, have been relatively quiet this year, with the unpredictable presidential race and 2nd Congressional District contest capturing the most attention and political spending from outside groups, including political parties.

So far this year, outside groups, including party committees and other political action committees, have made nearly $366,690 in independent expenditures, according to campaign finance records. Independent expenditures are those made without coordinating with a candidate.

Screenshot of Maine Republican Party ad

That’s only a third of the independent spending on legislative races through the same time period two years ago, when the parties and allied groups had spent more than $975,000 through Sept. 16.

Democrats control both the House and Senate by wide margins, so Republicans would have to have strong showings in November to upset the balance of power.

Democrats have long held a funding and spending advantage over Republicans in Maine. That remains true this year, although spending by Senate Republicans and their allies – more than $90,000 – is higher than it has been in the last two cycles.

Republicans also bought $16,400 in digital ads to support former state Rep. Sue Bernard, R-Presque Isle, in District 1. That seat is currently held by Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, who is term-limited after narrowly beating Bernard two years ago in an expensive and hard-fought contest.

The Maine Labor Climate political action committee spent about $6,200 and $7,100, respectively, on direct mailers in support of Tipping and Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, who is being challenged in District 11 by Republican Robert Meyers, of Searsport.

Figures released this week do not include spending by the candidates themselves. The next round of campaign finance reports for candidates are due Tuesday.