Maine Republican Faces Ethics Complaint Over Staffer's Phone Call

Complaint alleges Libby campaign manager offered under-the-table payments to help qualify for public funding

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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A Maine Republican gubernatorial candidate, Jim Libby, is facing an ethics complaint filed by a primary rival, David Jones. The complaint alleges that Libby's campaign manager, Phil Hendricks, offered to pay a signature gatherer under the table to help Libby qualify for the state's taxpayer-funded Clean Election program. The complaint cites audio of a phone call in which Hendricks made the offer, though he claims the signature gatherer did not actually collect any contributions or receive any money.

Why it matters

The complaint raises concerns about the integrity of Maine's public campaign financing system and the proper use of taxpayer funds. It also highlights the challenges candidates face in navigating the state's complex election laws, especially when signature-gathering efforts for referendums overlap with qualifying for public funding.

The details

The ethics complaint was filed by David Jones, one of Libby's Republican primary rivals, and centers around a phone call between Libby's campaign manager, Phil Hendricks, and a signature gatherer named Ezra Hickey. On the call, Hendricks allegedly offered to pay Hickey a bonus for every 25 contributions he gathered to help Libby qualify for Maine's Clean Election program, which would violate state laws. Hendricks claims Hickey did not actually collect any contributions or receive any money.

  • The complaint was filed with the Maine Ethics Commission on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
  • The commission is set to consider whether to investigate the complaint at a meeting on February 25, 2026.

The players

Jim Libby

A Republican state senator running for governor of Maine.

Phil Hendricks

The campaign manager for Jim Libby's gubernatorial campaign.

David Jones

A Republican primary rival of Jim Libby who filed the ethics complaint.

Ezra Hickey

A signature gatherer who recorded the phone call with Phil Hendricks and provided the audio to the Jones campaign.

Maine Ethics Commission

The state agency that will consider whether to investigate the ethics complaint against Libby's campaign.

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What they’re saying

“Protecting the integrity of our elections and the proper use of taxpayer funds begins by holding everyone, including those within our own party, accountable.”

— David Jones, Republican gubernatorial candidate (Bangor Daily News)

“He did not collect any [contributions] and was given zero money.”

— Phil Hendricks, Jim Libby's campaign manager (Bangor Daily News)

What’s next

The Maine Ethics Commission is set to consider whether to investigate the complaint against Libby's campaign at a meeting on February 25, 2026.

The takeaway

This ethics complaint highlights the challenges candidates face in navigating Maine's complex campaign finance laws, especially when signature-gathering efforts for referendums overlap with qualifying for public funding. It also underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the state's public campaign financing system and the proper use of taxpayer dollars.