Ronald Russell

Ron Russell grew up on a Fort Fairfield potato farm, one of five children with six cousins living nearby.¹ His mother taught elementary school and his father farmed.¹ One cousin was in his grade throughout school and became his best friend.¹ His older brother persuaded him to apply to West Point.¹

Russell graduated from West Point and was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1976.²¹ He served 30 years in the Army, qualifying as an airborne Ranger and Green Beret, and retired in 2006.¹ A retired colonel, his combat assignments included Panama, Somalia and Afghanistan.³

After retirement, he worked for a small defense contractor; when it was acquired, he and three colleagues started a new business and built it for 14 years.¹ That venture was Far Ridgeline Engagements, based in North Carolina.³ He moved back to Maine in June 2021 and made his first congressional challenge to Chellie Pingree in 2024.¹³

Russell supports lower taxes, fewer business regulations, stronger border enforcement and expanded domestic energy production.⁴⁵ He favors a mix of fossil fuels, renewables and nuclear power, while opposing mandates on household energy choices.⁴ He also wants Congress to exercise more independence from the executive branch.³ He faces Democrat Chellie Pingree.³