A driving political force from Castine turns 100

Well-wishers pack town hall for centennial birthday of Doris Russell

Doris Russell with several of her children, including from left: Robin Russell of Scarborough; Penny Dicus of Jasper, Georgia; Heather Brennan of Castine; and Michael Russell of Penobscot. Photo by John Boit.

Sept. 14, 2026

By John Boit

CASTINE — More than 120 people packed Castine’s Emerson Hall to celebrate the 100th birthday of Doris Russell, a longtime political operative known for her quiet behind-the-scenes influence from Maine to Washington, DC.

Russell, who for decades was a driving force in the state and national Republican party, first came to Maine from Washington, DC. She and her husband, a doctor, lived in Penobscot during the 1950s.

“Penobscot made me a Mainer,” Russell said.

Moving to Castine, Russell became known as a “housewife” that drove politics, serving as a delegate at numerous Republican national conventions.

At her party, well-wishers were treated to a film about Russell’s life produced by her grandson, Sam Russell, a New York filmmaker.

In the film, Russell talked about how she was even recruited by a member of the Democrat party to run for office. “There was never any animosity” between the parties, she said. “It was the art of compromise.”

But that friendship across the aisle dissipated in subsequent years. In 2019, after decades of being a Republican, Russell switched her party affiliation and enrolled as a Democrat.

David “Cappy” Wardwell of Penobscot congratulates Doris Russell on her birthday. Photo by John Boit.

“I can’t find anything I can admire in Trump. Nothing,” she said.

With one eye blinded by macular degeneration, Russell still reads a book a week using a magnifying glass, said her son, Ron Russell, a former state representative and 2026 political candidate who is seeking to regain his seat in the Legislature. He is running against Republican state representative Steve Bishop.

“She gave a speech last night at a family dinner,” Ron Russell said. “She gave us a warning about her country. She said, ‘This is serious. Our country’s at risk.’”

State Sen. Nicole Grohoski was also in attendance, along with state Rep. Nina Milliken, both of whom are Democrats.

“It’s inspirational to see the bravery it takes to switch parties,” Grohoski said. “I think a lot of Republicans talk about it in private. An important part of the job is to do the brave thing.”

Even at 100 and after decades of being an unassuming but powerful political operative, Russell did not squander the opportunity to pass along a message.

“Freedom is a delicate thing,” she said. “We better take care of it.”