2026 Maine gubernatorial election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 Maine gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Maine. Incumbent Democratic governor Janet Mills is ineligible to seek re-election to a third consecutive term. Although Maine has adopted ranked-choice voting, it is only used for primary and federal general elections. Therefore, the primary will be conducted with ranked-choice voting, and the general election will be conducted with the traditional plurality voting system. Primary elections will be held on June 9, 2026.[1]
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November 3, 2026
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Background
Incumbent Democratic governor Janet Mills was re-elected with 55.69% of the vote in 2022 over Republican former governor Paul LePage.[2] Maine has not elected consecutive governors from the same party since Republican Burton M. Cross succeeded Republican Frederick G. Payne after 1952.[3] Conversely, Mills's 2022 re-election, held under Democratic president Joe Biden, was the first time Mainers had elected a governor from the same party as the president since Republican John R. McKernan Jr. was re-elected under Republican president George H. W. Bush in 1990.[4]
A sparsely populated state in New England, Maine is one of the most rural states in the nation and is considered to be moderately blue, having voted for every Democratic presidential nominee since 1992.[4] In 2024, the state voted for Kamala Harris by seven points.[5] Both houses of the Maine Legislature are controlled by the Maine Democratic Party, and Maine's two congressional districts are held by Democrats. A Republican has not received a majority of the vote in a gubernatorial election since 1962, when incumbent Republican John H. Reed received 50.08% of the vote.[4] However, the state still maintains a Republican senator, as Susan Collins won the 2020 U.S. senate election.[6]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State (2021–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2014[3]
- Troy Jackson, former President of the Maine Senate (2018–2024) and candidate for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 2014[7]
- Angus King III, energy executive and son of U.S. Senator and former governor Angus King[8]
- Hannah Pingree, former director of the Maine Governor's Office of Policy Innovation, former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives (2008–2010), and daughter of U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree[9]
- Nirav Shah, former principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023–2025) and former director of the Maine CDC (2019–2023)[10]
Failed to qualify
Withdrawn
- Jason Cherry, attorney and independent candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 (running for State House)[13]
Declined
- Joe Baldacci, state senator (2020–present) and brother of former governor John Baldacci (running for U.S. House, endorsed Jackson)[14]
- Jared Golden, U.S. representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district (2019–present)[15]
- Dan Kleban, brewer[16] (ran for U.S. Senate)[17]
- Adam Lee, car dealer[18]
Endorsements
Shenna Bellows
- Labor unions
- Maine Education Association (first choice)[19]
- MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 (second choice)[20]
- Organizations
- Maine People's Alliance[21]
- Sierra Club of Maine (co-endorsement with Jackson and Pingree)[22]
Troy Jackson
- U.S. senators
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont (2007–present) (Independent)[23]
- U.S. representatives
- Statewide officials
- Michael E. Carpenter, former attorney general of Maine (1991–1995)[25]
- State legislators
- Joe Baldacci, state senator from the 9th district (2020–present) and 2026 candidate for ME-02[26]
- Andy O'Brien, former state representative from the 44th district (2008–2012)[27]
- Local officials
- Mark Dion, mayor of Portland (2023–present)[28]
- Labor unions
- American Postal Workers Union Local 536[29]
- Professional Firefighters of Maine[30]
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Maine State Council[31]
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters New England Joint Council 10 and Local 340[32]
- Maine AFL-CIO[27]
- Maine Building & Construction Trades Council[29]
- Maine Education Association (second choice)[19]
- Maine State Nurses Association[33]
- MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 (first choice)[20]
- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Metal Trades Council[29]
- Organizations
- Maine Democratic Socialists of America[34]
- Our Revolution[35]
- Sierra Club of Maine (co-endorsement with Bellows and Pingree)[22]
Angus King III
- U.S. senators
- Angus King, Maine (2013–present) (Independent; candidate's father)[36]
Hannah Pingree
- Executive branch officials
- Jeanne Lambrew, former deputy director of the White House Office of Health Reform (2009–2011) and commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (2019–2024)[37]
- Statewide officials
- Aaron Frey, Maine attorney general (2019–present)[38]
- Abigail Spanberger, governor of Virginia (2026–present)[39]
- State legislators
- Lynn Bromley, former state senator from the 7th district (2000–2008)[40]
- Ryan Fecteau, speaker of the Maine House of Representatives (2020–2022, 2024–present) from the 132nd district (2014–2022, 2024–present)[41]
- Drew Gattine, state representative from the 34th district (2012–2020) and 126th district (2022–present)[42]
- Brian Hubbell, former state representative from the 135th district (2012–2020)[43]
- Mark Eves, former speaker of the Maine House of Representatives (2012–2016) from the 6th district (2008–2016)[37]
- Matt Moonen, majority leader of the Maine House of Representatives (2018–2020, 2024–present) from the 17th district (2022–present) and 38th district (2012–2020)[37]
- Eloise Vitelli, former majority leader of the Maine Senate (2021–2024) from the 24th district (2013–2014, 2016–2024)[37]
- Individuals
- Stephen King, author[44]
- Organizations
- Maine Conservation Voters[45]
- Sierra Club of Maine (co-endorsement with Bellows and Jackson)[22]
- Vote Mama[46]
Nirav Shah
- Local officials
- Carl Sheline, mayor of Lewiston (2022–present)[47]
- Labor unions
- Maine Education Association (third choice)[19]
- Organizations
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of April 28, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Shenna Bellows (D) | $1,586,982.06 | $858,631.53 | $723,546.32 |
| Jason Cherry (D)[a] | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Troy Jackson (D) | $847,237.20 | $613,687.08 | $225,275.59 |
| Angus King III (D) | $1,126,570.70 | $835,736.53 | $290,834.17 |
| Kenneth Forrest Pinet (D)[a] | $775.00 | $775.00 | $0.00 |
| Hannah Pingree (D) | $1,903,347.79 | $1,030,453.75 | $869,388.13 |
| Nirav Shah (D) | $1,006,676.55 | $388,860.31 | $617,816.24 |
| Source: Maine Ethics Commission[49] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Shenna Bellows |
Troy Jackson |
Angus King III |
Hannah Pingree |
Nirav Shah |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GQR (D)[50][A] | May 6–9, 2026 | 500 (LV) | – | 18% | 15% | 12% | 20% | 32% | – | 3% |
| Schoen Cooperman Research (D)[51][B] | April 30 – May 4, 2026 | 522 (LV) | – | 16% | 13% | 21% | 15% | 28% | – | 7% |
| Impact Research (D)[52][C] | March 19–23, 2026 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 17% | 18% | 9% | 16% | 31% | – | 6% |
| Pan Atlantic Research[53] | February 13 – March 2, 2026 | 367 (LV) | – | 16% | 10% | 24% | 18% | 24% | 10%[c] | – |
| University of New Hampshire[54] | February 12–16, 2026 | 462 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 19% | 16% | 5% | 10% | 25% | 1%[d] | 23% |
| Hart Research (D)[55][D] | January 15–19, 2026 | 502 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 11% | 9% | 13% | 13% | 35% | – | 18% |
| Pan Atlantic Research[56] | November 29 – December 7, 2025 | 318 (LV) | ± 6.1% | 16% | 8% | 19% | 18% | 24% | – | 15% |
| GQR (D)[50][A] | October 2025 | – | – | 24% | 14% | 15% | 16% | 16% | – | 16% |
| Pan Atlantic Research[57] | May 12–26, 2025 | 325 (LV) | ± 6.1% | 24% | 13% | 33% | 20% | – | – | 10% |
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Jonathan Bush, healthcare executive and nephew of former president George H. W. Bush[58]
- Robert Charles, lawyer and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State[59]
- David Jones, real estate executive and independent candidate for governor in 2006[60]
- Garrett Mason, former majority leader of the Maine Senate and candidate for governor in 2018[61]
- Owen McCarthy, University of Maine System trustee[62]
- Ben Midgley, former CEO of Crunch Fitness[63]
- Robert Wessels, former Paris selectman[64]
Failed to qualify
Withdrawn
Declined
- Rick Bennett, state senator, former President of the Maine Senate, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012 (running as an Independent)[71]
- Laurel Libby, state representative from the 90th district (2022–present) and the 64th district (2020–2022)[72]
- Shawn Moody, entrepreneur, nominee for governor in 2018, independent candidate for governor in 2010 (initially formed exploratory committee)[73]
- Ray Richardson, political analyst and radio host[18]
Endorsements
Jonathan Bush
- State legislators
- James Libby, state senator from the 34th district (1996–2000) and 22nd district (2022–present), candidate for governor in 2002 and 2026[69]
- Individuals
- Billy Bush, television host (candidate's brother)[74]
- Robert Wessels, candidate for governor in 2026 (second choice)[75]
Robert Charles
- U.S. representatives
- Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House (1995–1999) from GA-06 (1979–1999)[76]
David Jones
- Individuals
- Ben Midgley, businessman and 2026 candidate for governor (second choice)[77]
Garrett Mason
- State legislators
- Wayne R. Parry, state representative for the 10th district (2010–2018, 2020–2022) and 140th district (2022–present)[78]
Ben Midgley
- Individuals
- David Jones, real estate executive and 2026 candidate for governor (second choice)[77]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of April 28, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Jonathan Bush (R) | $1,290,045.00 | $1,623,751.20 | $542,793.80 |
| Kenneth Capron (R)[a] | $3,511.30 | $3,316.87 | $194.43 |
| David J. Foster (R)[a] | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Robert Charles (R) | $908,360.81 | $606,011.38 | $380,202.04 |
| David Jones (R) | $486,501.29 | $343,424.35 | $143,132.26 |
| James Libby (R)[a] | $17,025.00 | $17,010.39 | $98.76 |
| Owen McCarthy (R) | $373,599.00 | $267,380.07 | $242,218.93 |
| Ben Midgley (R) | $292,318.00 | $349,770.12 | $692,547.88 |
| Robert Wessels (R) | $52,912.27 | $39,373.17 | $13,539.10 |
| Source: Maine Ethics Commission[49] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Jonathan Bush |
Robert Charles |
David Jones |
James Libby |
Garrett Mason |
Owen McCarthy |
Ben Midgley |
Robert Wessels |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLaughlin & Associates (R)[79][E] | April 28 – April 30, 2026 | 300 (LV) | ± 5.7% | 11% | 47% | 2% | – | 11% | 2% | 10% | 2% | – | 16% |
| Libby withdraws | |||||||||||||
| Pan Atlantic Research[53] | February 13 – March 2, 2026 | 298 (LV) | – | 4% | 26% | 6% | 8% | 11% | 7% | 4% | – | – | 34% |
| University of New Hampshire[54] | February 12–16, 2026 | 404 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 5% | 28% | 7% | 2% | 12% | 1% | 6% | 4% | 3%[e] | 31% |
| Pan Atlantic Research[56] | November 29 – December 7, 2025 | 312 (LV) | ± 6.1% | 5% | 16% | 6% | 3% | – | 2% | – | – | – | 68% |
| McLaughlin & Associates (R)[80][E] | August 23–25, 2025 | 300 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 4% | 28% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0.3% | 3% | 23%[f] | 34% |
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Rick Bennett, state senator (1996–2004, 2020–present), Republican nominee for ME-2 in 1994 and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012[71]
- Ed Crockett, state representative (2018–present)[81]
- John Glowa, retired environmental specialist[82]
- Derek Levasseur, former police officer and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020[83]
Filed paperwork
- Alexander Murchison, mechanical engineer[84]
Endorsements
Rick Bennett
- Executive branch officials
- Christine Todd Whitman, former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (2001–2003), former governor of New Jersey (1994-2001) (Forward; elected as a Republican)[85]
- Political parties
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of April 28, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Richard Bennett (I) | $617,466.13 | $502,822.32 | $114,588.66 |
| Ed Crockett (I) | $9,116.98 | $1,250.85 | $7,866.13 |
| John Glowa (I) | $118.00 | $0.00 | $180.00 |
| Alexander Murchison (I) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Source: Maine Ethics Commission[49] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[86] | Likely D | September 11, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[87] | Likely D | August 28, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[88] | Lean D | September 4, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[89] | Tilt D | January 30, 2026 |