By Ryan Michaels | Editor, The Maine Mirror
July 8, 2026
Transparency has always been one of The Maine Mirror’s guiding principles. In keeping with that commitment, I want to begin by disclosing that I currently serve as Derek Levasseur’s campaign manager.
I believe readers deserve to know that relationship whenever The Maine Mirror reports on developments involving Derek’s campaign. Rather than avoiding that fact, I choose to embrace it openly. Transparency is not a weakness—it is a cornerstone of ethical journalism and one of the values The Maine Mirror was founded upon.
Today, I am publishing an official press release issued by the Libertarian Party of Maine announcing its endorsement of independent gubernatorial candidate Derek Levasseur.
The endorsement comes as Levasseur continues his Rule 80C appeal challenging the Maine Secretary of State’s decision regarding his ballot access. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has approved an expedited briefing schedule designed to allow the matter to be resolved before general election ballots are finalized.
The current schedule is as follows:
- July 8: The Secretary of State files the Certified Administrative Record.
- July 13: Derek Levasseur files his opening brief.
- July 16: The Secretary of State files her response.
- July 23: Derek Levasseur files his reply, if any.
Regardless of political affiliation, this is a noteworthy development in Maine’s 2026 gubernatorial race. It marks the endorsement of an independent candidate by an established political party while a ballot access case is actively moving through the courts.
To everyone who has supported Derek’s campaign by signing petitions, volunteering, donating, sharing information, or simply believing that Maine voters deserve another choice, know that this effort continues every single day. The legal process is actively moving forward, and the campaign remains committed to pursuing every lawful avenue available so that the people of Maine—not government bureaucracy—can ultimately decide who appears on their ballot.
Below is the Libertarian Party of Maine’s official press release in its entirety.
Disclosure: Ryan Michaels serves as Campaign Manager for Derek Levasseur’s gubernatorial campaign. This relationship is disclosed in the interest of full transparency. The Maine Mirror is publishing the Libertarian Party of Maine’s official press release because it represents a newsworthy development in Maine’s 2026 gubernatorial election. Readers are encouraged to review the original press release and draw their own conclusions.
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