2026 Maine gubernatorial election
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| Elections in Maine |
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The 2026 Maine gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the 76th governor of Maine. Incumbent Democratic governor Janet Mills, who was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, is constitutionally term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term. This election will coincide with a U.S. Senate election, U.S. House elections for Maine's two congressional districts, and various other state, county, and local elections. The primary elections will be held on June 9, 2026.[1]
Background
Incumbent governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, was re-elected with 55.69% of the vote in 2022 over Republican former governor Paul LePage. Mainers have not elected consecutive governors from the same party since Republican Burton M. Cross succeeded fellow Republican Frederick G. Payne following the 1952 election. 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.
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. In 2024, the state voted for Kamala Harris by seven points. 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.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2014[2]
- Troy Jackson, former President of the Maine Senate (2018–2024) and candidate for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 2014[3]
- Angus King III, energy executive and son of U.S. Senator and former governor Angus King[4]
- Hannah Pingree, former director of the Maine Governor's Office of Policy Innovation, former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, and daughter of U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree[5]
Filed paperwork
- Kenneth Forrest Pinet[6]
Potential
- Dan Kleban, brewery founder[7]
- Rachel Talbot Ross, state senator and former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives[8]
Declined
- Joe Baldacci, state senator and brother of former governor John Baldacci (endorsed Jackson)[9]
- Jared Golden, U.S. Representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district (2019–present) (running for re-election)[10]
- Adam Lee, car dealer[11]
Endorsements
Troy Jackson
- Federal officeholders
- Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007–present) (Independent)[12]
- State legislators
- Joe Baldacci, state senator (2020–present)[13]
Angus King III
- Federal officeholders
- Angus King, U.S. senator from Maine (2013–present) and former Governor of Maine (1995–2003) (Independent, candidate's father)[14]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Ken Capron, retired accountant[15]
- Robert Charles, lawyer and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State[16]
- David Jones, real estate executive and candidate for governor in 2006[17]
- James Libby, state senator and candidate for governor in 2002[18]
- Owen McCarthy, University of Maine System trustee[19]
- Robert Wessels, former Paris selectman[20]
Filed paperwork
- Steven Sheppard[21]
Publicly expressed interest
- Garrett Mason, former majority leader of the Maine Senate and candidate for governor in 2018[22]
- Travis Mills, nonprofit founder and motivational speaker[23]
- Shawn Moody, former University of Maine System trustee, nominee for governor in 2018, and independent candidate in 2010[24]
Potential
- Peter Cianchette, former U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica, former state representative, and nominee for governor in 2002[20]
- Ben Midgely, founder of 24 Hour Fitness[20]
- Laurel Libby, state representative from the 90th district (2022–present) and the 64th district (2020–2022)[22]
- Bruce Poliquin, former U.S. representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district (2015–2019)[22]
- Mike Soboleski, former state representative from the 73rd district (2022–2024) and candidate for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 2024[20]
- Trey Stewart, state senator from the 2nd district (2020–present) and candidate for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 2022[20][25]
Declined
- Rick Bennett, state senator, former President of the Maine Senate, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012 (running as an Independent)[26]
- Ray Richardson, political analyst and radio host[11]
Independents
Declared
- Rick Bennett, state senator, former President of the Maine Senate (2001–2002), Republican nominee for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 1994 and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012[26]
- John Glowa, retired environmental specialist[27]
Filed paperwork
- Alexander Murchison, mechanical engineer[28]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[29] | Likely D | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[30] | Battleground | February 6, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[31] | Likely D | May 1, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[32] | Tilt D | June 30, 2025 |
See also
References
- ^ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ Pendharkar, Eesha (March 26, 2025). "Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows officially announces bid for governor". Maine Morning Star. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
- ^ Hilton, AnnMarie. "Former Senate President Troy Jackson enters race for governor". Maine Morning Star. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
- ^ Everett, Burgess (May 6, 2025). "King of Maine? Angus King III launches governor bid". Semafor.
- ^ Flisiuk, Francis (June 10, 2025). "Hannah Pingree announces campaign for Maine Governor". WMTW. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
- ^ "Kenneth Forrest Pinet". Maine Ethics Commission. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ Shepherd, Michael (May 6, 2025). "Angus King's son will run for governor as a Democrat in 2026". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- ^ Gagnon, Matthew (May 15, 2024). "The race for Maine governor in 2026 has begun". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ @JoeBaldacci (March 30, 2025). "Many, many nice people have asked if I was interested in running for Governor. I have no plans to do so because I am supporting my friend and former colleague and former Senate President Troy Jackson for Governor" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Kobin, Billy (May 20, 2025). "Jared Golden will run for reelection in Maine's 2nd District in 2026". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Shepherd, Michael; Klobin, Billy (December 2, 2024). "The famous names and familiar faces considering a run for Maine governor". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ Burns, Christopher (May 21, 2025). "Bernie Sanders endorses Troy Jackson for Maine's next governor". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
- ^ Brodey, Sam; Pindell, James (June 10, 2025). "Fresher faces, same names: Meet New England's new crop of politicians' relatives who are looking at elected office". Boston Globe. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ Howard, Andrew (May 6, 2025). "Angus King III announces run for governor of Maine". Politico.
- ^ "Ken Capron announces run for Maine governor in 2026 race". WCSH. May 26, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Kobin, Billy (April 15, 2025). "He served under George W. Bush. Now he's running for Maine governor". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ Cover, Susan (May 20, 2025). "Falmouth Republican launches bid for Maine governor in 2026". Spectrum News. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ St Pierre, Ariana (May 22, 2025). "Sen. James Libby running for governor of Maine". WGME-TV. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
- ^ "Businessman Owen McCarthy joins Gubernatorial race". WABI-TV. June 11, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Patten, Sam (February 24, 2025). "Contenders for the Blaine House in 2026 Start Lining Up". The Maine Wire. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ "Steven Sheppard". Maine Ethics Commission. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c Ohm, Rachel (June 29, 2025). "Republican field for 2026 Maine governor's race slow to take shape". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ Robinson, Steve (February 19, 2025). "Travis Mills Floats Run for Maine Governor". The Maine Wire. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
- ^ Quirk, David; Quirk, Corenna (March 16, 2025). "Maine's Path Forward: Shawn Moody on Business, Policy, and Politics". Q-POINT (Podcast). Retrieved March 17, 2025 – via Apple Podcasts.
The discussion also delves into Maine's evolving political landscape, including [Moody's] potential 2026 gubernatorial run.
- ^ Billings, Randy (March 26, 2025). "Shenna Bellows announces campaign for Maine governor". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ a b "State Sen. Rick Bennett launches gubernatorial campaign for 2026". WCSH. June 24, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ Cover, Susan (April 18, 2025). "Republican focused on fighting crime launches bid for Maine governor". Spectrum News. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Billings, Randy (May 15, 2025). "Hannah Pingree to step down from Mills administration". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
External links
- Official campaign websites
- Shenna Bellows (D) for governor
- Rick Bennett (I) for governor
- Robert Charles (R) for governor
- John Glowa (I) for governor
- Troy Jackson (D) for governor
- David Jones (R) for governor
- Angus King III (D) for governor
- Jim Libby (R) for governor
- Owen McCarthy (R) for governor
- Hannah Pingree (D) for governor
- Robert Wessels (R) for governor