2026 Maine gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Maine gubernatorial election

←  2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent Governor Janet Mills Democratic

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 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.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Filed paperwork

• Kenneth Forrest Pinet ^[1]

Publicly expressed interest

• Spencer Thibodeau, former Portland city councilor and candidate for mayor of Portland in 2019 ^[2]

Potential

• Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2014 ^{[2] [3]}
• Ryan Fecteau, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives ^[2]
• Jared Golden, U.S. Representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district ^{[2] [3]}
• Troy Jackson, former President of the Maine Senate ^{[4] [2]}
• Angus King III, energy executive and son of U.S. senator Angus King ^[5]
• Chellie Pingree, U.S. Representative from Maine's 1st congressional district (2009–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2002 ^[3]
• Hannah Pingree, director of the Maine Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives ^{[5] [3]}
• Rachel Talbot Ross, state senator and former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives ^{[4] [2]}

Declined

• Adam Lee, car dealer ^[2]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Robert Wessels, former Paris selectman ^[6]

Publicly expressed interest

• Jonathan Bush, healthcare executive and cousin of former president George W. Bush ^[2]
• Robert Charles, lawyer and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State ^[2]
• David Jones, real estate executive and candidate for governor in 2006 ^[2]
• Jason Levesque, former mayor of Auburn and nominee for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 2010 ^[7]
• Laurel Libby, state representative ^[2]
• Garrett Mason, former majority leader of the Maine Senate and candidate for governor in 2018 ^[2]
• Travis Mills, nonprofit founder and motivational speaker ^[8]
• Bruce Poliquin, former U.S. representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district ^[2]

Potential

• Rick Bennett, state senator, former President of the Maine Senate, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012 ^{[9] [3]}
• Peter Cianchette, former U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica, former state representative, and nominee for governor in 2002 ^{[2] [3]}
• James Libby, state senator and candidate for governor in 2002 ^{[2] [3]}
• Owen McCarthy, digital therapeutics company owner ^[3]
• Ben Midgely, founder of 24 Hour Fitness ^[3]
• Shawn Moody, former University of Maine System trustee and nominee for governor in 2018 ^[3]
• Mike Soboleski, former state representative from the 73rd district (2022–2024) and candidate for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 2024 ^[3]
• Trey Stewart, state senator from the 2nd district (2020–present) and candidate for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 2022 ^[3]

Declined

• Ray Richardson, political analyst and radio host ^[2]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [10]	Likely D	January 23, 2025
Inside Elections [11]	Battleground	February 6, 2025

See also

• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

References

1. "Kenneth Forrest Pinet". Maine Ethics Commission. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
2. 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.
3. Patten, Sam (February 24, 2025). "Contenders for the Blaine House in 2026 Start Lining Up". The Maine Wire . Retrieved February 25, 2025.
4. 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.
5. Gonzales, Nathan (February 12, 2025). "House members running for governor could complicate fight for majority". Roll Call . Retrieved February 12, 2025.
6. "Wessels declares gubernatorial candidacy plans to scooter across state" (Press release). April 25, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024– via Sun Journal.
7. Rice, Andrew (December 3, 2023). "Jason Levesque says his loss is a 'cautionary tale' for municipal leaders pushing for change". Lewiston Sun Journal . Retrieved December 5, 2024.
8. Robinson, Steve (February 19, 2025). "Travis Mills Floats Run for Maine Governor". The Maine Wire . Retrieved February 19, 2025.
9. "Election 2024: Looking forward to Maine's 2026 gubernatorial race". WCSH. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
10. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
11. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.