Changes

After a narrow failed bid in the 1940 GOP gubernatorial primary,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=879313 ME Governor - R Primary Race - Jun 17, 1940]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> Payne was successfully elected in 1948,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174305 ME Governor Race - Sep 13, 1948]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> and re-elected the following election cycle along with the state's three GOP U.S. representatives<ref>September 12, 1950. [https://www.nytimes.com/1950/09/12/archives/republican-sweep-recorded-in-maine-party-wins-all-top-offices-for.html REPUBLICAN SWEEP RECORDED IN MAINE; Party Wins All Top Offices for the Eighth Time in Row, Improves Off-Year Ratio]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> during the [[1950 Midterm Elections|1950 Midterms]] with a sweep of every single county.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174306 ME Governor Race - Sep 11, 1950]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref>

After a narrow failed bid in the 1940 GOP gubernatorial primary,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=879313 ME Governor - R Primary Race - Jun 17, 1940]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> Payne was successfully elected in 1948,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174305 ME Governor Race - Sep 13, 1948]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> and re-elected the following election cycle along with the state's three GOP U.S. representatives<ref>September 12, 1950. [https://www.nytimes.com/1950/09/12/archives/republican-sweep-recorded-in-maine-party-wins-all-top-offices-for.html REPUBLICAN SWEEP RECORDED IN MAINE; Party Wins All Top Offices for the Eighth Time in Row, Improves Off-Year Ratio]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> during the [[1950 Midterm Elections|1950 Midterms]] with a sweep of every single county.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174306 ME Governor Race - Sep 11, 1950]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref>

During his two-term tenure, Payne sanctioned a 2% sales tax, eliminated a bonded deficit, and ensured a state treasury surplus.<ref>[https://www.nga.org/governor/frederick-george-payne/ Gov. Frederick George Payne]. ''National Governors Association''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> He also expanded the Maine Development Commission and increased the use of executive actions over state agencies.

During his two-term tenure, Payne sanctioned a 2% sales tax, eliminated a bonded deficit, and ensured a state treasury surplus.<ref>[https://www.nga.org/governor/frederick-george-payne/ Gov. Frederick George Payne]. ''National Governors Association''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> He also expanded the Maine Development Commission and increased the use of executive actions over state agencies, in addition to developing a safety program for highways which reduced deaths.<ref name=nytimesobituary>June 16, 1978. [https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/16/archives/exsenator-payne-of-maine-dies-at-73-served-two-terms-as-governor.html EX‐SENATOR PAYNE OF MAINE DIES AT 73]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref>

Payne faced accusations pertaining to a monopoly scandal surrounding [[liquor]], of which he was alleged to have been susceptible to bribery.<ref name=nytimesobituary>June 16, 1978. [https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/16/archives/exsenator-payne-of-maine-dies-at-73-served-two-terms-as-governor.html EX‐SENATOR PAYNE OF MAINE DIES AT 73]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> However, a [[grand jury]] cleared him.

Payne faced accusations pertaining to a monopoly scandal surrounding [[liquor]], of which he was alleged to have been susceptible to bribery.<ref name=nytimesobituary/> However, a [[grand jury]] cleared him.

===U.S. Senate===

===U.S. Senate===