Jon Reisman

Secretary of State and Democratic Gubernatorial hopeful Shenna Bellows was in the news recently for her decision to change a longstanding policy and forbid the issuance of undercover license plates to undercover law enforcement (e.g., ICE) because there was no “guarantee” they were engaged in lawful (i.e., left-wing progressive-approved) activity. Secretary Bellows thereby completed a trifecta of partisan malpractice as Secretary of State, starting with her unlawful effort, as ruled by the U.S. Supreme Court, to ban Donald Trump from the ballot in 2024 and followed by her deceptive emphasis on absentee voting in the Voter ID referendum in 2025.

Her 2026 capstone effort of engaging in unlawful and hyper-partisan abuse of her office will no doubt aid her gubernatorial ambitions amongst Democratic voters longing and lusting for Trump-fighting warriors. In the aftermath of her latest decision, she went on the radio to defend her actions.

Secretary Bellows’ interview on WVOM on MLK day should be required listening for every Mainer. The 14 minutes of cackles, slippery sing-song spin, and condescending disrespect for Mainers who support Trump (“minions”) is available at https://www.wvomfm.com/episode/rewind-01-19-sos-shenna-bellows-1415/. 

As I listened to Bellow’s poisonous partisan abuse of power and position, I realized that she is the modern-day equivalent of Grima Wormtongue, J.R.R. Tolkien’s version of a slippery, unburdened-by-the-truth, manipulative Middle Earth proto press secretary/spin doctor. Listening to Shenna/Grima makes me simultaneously wish for a lie detector siren and a mute button, neither of which appears to be in the possession of either Wormtongue or Maine’s legacy Media.

I wondered whether my reaction might have been a bit unfair, but Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles was immediately all over Grima, and he was joined by other GOP Blaine House hopefuls. None of the Democratic hopefuls had a comment as far as I can tell. 

The rank choice voting strategy within Democratic ranks seems to be to avoid criticism and ask for second-place support (that strategy apparently worked for wanna be Secretary Wormtongue). The only criticism Grima is likely to receive will come from Republicans and Trump minions, and she will either never hear it or dismiss it out of hand.

I expect we will hear a lot from Grima in the coming months. She is arguably the most likely Democrat to best Hannah Pingree, and Wormtongue has demonstrated the ability to command the stage, set the agenda, and drive conservatives crazy. As we try to anticipate what additional manipulative missives are likely to emerge from Grima’s lips, these quotes from the Lord of the Rings books and movies may predict Shenna’s future campaign utterances and opponent retorts:

‘Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Láthspell I name him. Ill-news is an ill guest they say.’ (To Gandalf upon his arrival in Edoras; Lathspell is old English for “ill news”)

‘I’ve only ever served you, my lord!’ (Pleading after exposure)

‘I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm.’ (Gandalf to Grima)

‘Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth!’ (Gandalf silencing Grima)

The 2026 Maine elections are not likely to produce a more unified Maine, and Grima Wormtongue’s condescending bellows are a major source of that division.

Jon Reisman is an economist and policy analyst who retired from the University of Maine at Machias after 38 years. He resides on Cathance Lake in Cooper, where he is a Statler and Waldorf intern. Mr. Reisman’s views are his own, and he welcomes comments as letters to the editor here or to him directly via email at jreisman@maine.edu.