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You’ve probably heard the names before. Pingree. King. Bush. It feels like a 1990s political reunion, but the 2026 race for the Blaine House is anything but a rerun. Maine is at a massive crossroads. Governor Janet Mills is term-limited, meaning she can’t run again even if she wanted to—and honestly, she’s busy trying to unseat Susan Collins in the Senate anyway.
This creates a vacuum. A big one.
In Maine, we don’t really do "quiet" elections. We have a history of picking independents, fiery populists, and political dynasties, often all at once. If you're asking who is running for Maine governor, you aren't just looking at a list of names; you're looking at a fight for the very soul of the Pine Tree State. As of early 2026, the field is packed. We’re talking about more than 20 candidates across the spectrum.
The Democratic Heavyweights: Legacies and Legislators
The Democrats have a "problem," if you want to call it that. They have too many qualified people who think it’s their turn. Since Mills is stepping away, the primary is looking like a high-stakes family dinner where everyone is fighting for the last roll.
Hannah Pingree
She’s currently the frontrunner in terms of raw cash. As the former Speaker of the House and daughter of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, she has the "North Haven" brand behind her. She’s raised nearly $1.4 million. People know her. She’s been in the room where it happens for a decade.
Shenna Bellows
You might remember her for the national headlines regarding ballot eligibility decisions, but in Maine, she’s the Secretary of State with a deep background in civil liberties. She’s also a fundraising powerhouse, crossing the million-dollar mark early. Her base is progressive, and she’s got the Maine People’s Alliance in her corner.
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Angus King III
Yes, that name is exactly who you think it is. The son of U.S. Senator Angus King is making his first major political play. He’s an energy executive, not a career politician. That "outsider with a famous name" vibe worked for his dad, and he’s betting it’ll work for him too. He’s sitting on about $900k right now.
The Others
- Troy Jackson: The former Senate President and a hero to the labor unions. Bernie Sanders endorsed him. If you’re a blue-collar Democrat in the County, he’s probably your guy.
- Nirav Shah: The man who guided Maine through the pandemic. He left a high-ranking post at the federal CDC to come back and jump into this race. He’s got name recognition that most politicians would kill for.
The Republican Side: Business vs. The Establishment
The GOP is hungry. They haven't held the Blaine House since Paul LePage left, and they see 2026 as their best shot in a decade. But the primary is getting crowded, and it's a bit of a "choose your own adventure" for conservative voters.
Jonathan Bush
He’s the cousin of George W. and nephew of George H.W. Bush. He’s a healthcare entrepreneur with deep pockets and a platform built on "disrupting" state government. He’s already put up big numbers in fundraising, and he’s leaning hard into his business background.
Bobby Charles
A lawyer and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State. He brings a "grown-up in the room" foreign policy and law-and-order vibe. He’s raised over half a million dollars and is performing well in early, albeit very early, polling.
James Libby
A State Senator who’s been around the block. He ran for governor way back in 2002. He’s running as a "clean elections" candidate, which is a bit of a rarity for a top-tier GOP contender, but it plays well with Mainers who are sick of corporate money.
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The Deep Bench
- Garrett Mason: Former Senate Majority Leader. He’s got the conservative bona fides and entered the race with a lot of institutional support.
- Owen McCarthy: A University of Maine trustee who is positioning himself as the pragmatic, education-focused candidate.
- Ben Midgely: The former CEO of Crunch Fitness. He’s the "outsider businessman" archetype that often does well in Maine GOP primaries.
The Wildcard: The Independent Streak
You can’t talk about Maine politics without talking about the people who refuse to wear a jersey. This year, the Independent field is actually credible.
Rick Bennett is the name to watch here. He’s a former Republican Senate President who decided to run as an Independent. He’s got a massive base of respect across the aisle for his work on government transparency. He’s already raised over $500,000, which is unheard of for a non-party candidate this early.
There’s also Ed Crockett, a state representative who’s jumping in, and John Glowa, an environmentalist who’s been a thorn in the side of the establishment for years. Maine uses a plurality system for gubernatorial races (Ranked Choice Voting is for federal races only here), so a strong Independent can absolutely spoil the party for the big two.
What's Actually on the Line?
It’s not just about who gets to live in the Blaine House. The next governor is going to inherit a Maine that is struggling with a brutal housing crisis and an aging population.
We’ve seen home prices in Portland and even Bangor skyrocket. The candidates are all talking about it, but the solutions vary wildly. Democrats are pushing for more state-funded housing initiatives. Republicans, like Jonathan Bush and Bobby Charles, are screaming for deregulation and tax cuts to "unleash" the private sector.
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Then there's the "generational" thing. You’ve got the old guard like Troy Jackson and James Libby versus the "next gen" like Hannah Pingree and Angus King III. It’s a weird vibe.
Getting Your Facts Straight
Don't get confused by the noise. Here is the reality of the 2026 cycle:
- Janet Mills is NOT running. She is term-limited. If you see a sign that says "Mills for Maine," it's likely for her Senate run against Susan Collins.
- No Ranked Choice. For the Governor's race, it's old-school. Whoever gets the most votes wins, even if it's only 36% of the total. This is why the Independent candidates matter so much.
- The Primary is June 9, 2026. That’s the first real hurdle. If you aren't registered with a party, you can't vote in the Democratic or Republican primaries (unless you register at the polls, depending on the current "semi-open" primary rules).
Actionable Steps for Maine Voters
If you want to have a say in who is running for Maine governor, you can't wait until November. The race is happening right now in living rooms and VFW halls across the state.
- Check your registration: If you want to vote in the June primary, make sure you're affiliated with the party of the candidate you like.
- Follow the money: Use the Maine Ethics Commission website. It’s clunky, but it tells you exactly who is buying ads and who is funding these campaigns.
- Attend a town hall: In Maine, these candidates actually show up. Go to a diner in Waterville or a Grange Hall in Piscataquis County. Ask them about housing. Ask them about the opioid crisis.
- Volunteer early: The 2026 field is so big that ground games will decide the winner. A few dozen volunteers in a small town can swing a primary.
The 2026 election will define Maine for the next decade. Whether we lean into the legacy names or take a chance on a total outsider is entirely up to who shows up in June.