If you’re looking for a quick answer, here it is: Janet Mills is the Governor of Maine.
But honestly, just knowing her name is sort of the tip of the iceberg right now. We are sitting in January 2026, and the political vibe in Augusta is, well, "lame duck" meets "high stakes." Since Janet Mills is currently serving her second term, she can't run for governor again this year due to term limits.
Instead of just fading into the background, though, she’s actually running for the U.S. Senate to try and unseat Susan Collins. It's a huge deal.
Who is Governor of Maine Janet Mills?
Janet Trafton Mills isn't just a placeholder in the Blaine House. She’s a bit of a trailblazer. Back in 2019, she became the first woman to ever hold the office in Maine. Before that, she was the state’s Attorney General. She’s from Farmington—granddaughter of Aroostook potato farmers—and she’s got that classic, pragmatic Maine toughness.
You’ve probably seen her in the news lately. Just yesterday, January 14, she was all over the Maine airwaves addressing rumors about potential federal law enforcement operations in the state. She’s also been pushing a $350,000 grant to keep the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network running through 2026.
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She's basically spent her tenure trying to play the "pragmatic middle," though she’s definitely taken some heat from both sides. Last week, she reversed her stance on an i-gambling veto, allowing a bill to become law that lets Wabanaki Nations operate online gambling. It's complicated stuff that involves tribal sovereignty and a whole lot of state revenue talk.
The 2026 Landscape: What’s Next?
Since Janet Mills is on her way out (her term officially ends in January 2027), the race to replace her is already getting crowded. It feels like every politician in the 207 area code is throwing their hat in the ring.
Here’s the current breakdown of who is eyeing that seat:
- Shenna Bellows: The Secretary of State. You might remember her from the headlines regarding ballot eligibility.
- Angus King III: Yep, the son of the Senator. He’s running as a Democrat.
- Dr. Nirav Shah: The guy who basically talked us through the pandemic as the head of the Maine CDC.
- Garrett Mason: A former Republican Senate Leader who just announced his bid on January 7.
- Troy Jackson: The former Senate President who’s got a lot of labor support.
There are literally a dozen Republicans and nearly as many Democrats vying for the spot. It's going to be a noisy year.
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Why People Are Talking About the Governor Right Now
It’s not just the upcoming election. People are asking "who is governor of Maine" because of some pretty specific policy fights happening this month.
For instance, there’s a massive debate over tax relief. Last year, the federal government passed something called the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which basically made tips and overtime tax-free at the federal level. Maine hasn't matched that yet. Governor Mills actually declined to use her emergency authority to make state taxes match the federal ones for 2025.
So, if you’re a waitress in Portland or an hourly worker in Bangor, you’re currently paying state taxes on money that the feds aren't touching. People are understandably a bit salty about it. The Legislature has until the April filing deadline to fix it retroactively, but it's a game of political chicken right now.
Quick Facts About the Office
- The Salary: It’s actually the lowest in the country at $70,000. Seriously.
- The Residence: The Governor lives in the Blaine House in Augusta, right across from the State House.
- Term Limits: You can only serve two consecutive terms. You could technically leave and come back later, like Paul LePage tried to do, but you can’t do three in a row.
What This Means for You
If you live in Maine, the decisions Janet Mills makes in these final months—especially regarding the 2026-2027 biennial budget—will stick around long after she moves on to her Senate race. She’s currently proposing to make Free Community College a permanent fixture in Maine, which is a massive win for students.
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If you're following the news, keep an eye on the State of the State address. It's scheduled for January 27, 2026. That’s when we’ll get the final roadmap for her administration.
Next Steps for Mainers:
- Check your tax status: If you earn tips or overtime, stay tuned to the Maine Revenue Services updates to see if the Legislature passes that retroactive tax conformity before April.
- Register for the Primary: The primary is June 9, 2026. Since there’s no incumbent, your vote in the primary is basically the whole ballgame.
- Watch the Senate Race: Since Governor Mills is challenging Susan Collins, that race is going to draw a ridiculous amount of national money and commercials. Get ready for your mailbox to be full of flyers.
The "who is governor of Maine" question is easy to answer today, but by this time next year, the answer is going to look very different.