Governor Maine in Statewide, Maine

2026 Primary Election

• Shenna Bellows — Incumbent Secretary of State in Manchester, ME

  Shenna Bellows is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Maine in 2026. She currently serves as Maine's 50th Secretary of State, a role she has held since January 2021 as the first woman to do so. Previously, she was a Maine State Senator and the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014. Before entering politics, Bellows was a civil rights advocate, executive director for the ACLU of Maine and the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine. She gained national attention for a December 2023 ruling on Donald Trump's primary ballot eligibility. Running to make Maine affordable and protect democracy, her platform includes fostering business growth, enhancing education and housing, lowering resident property taxes, and increasing teacher pay.

• Jonathan J Bush — CEO of Zus in Boston, ME

  Jonathan J Bush, 57, a healthcare tech entrepreneur and CEO of Boston-based Zus, is running as a Republican for Maine Governor in 2026. A cousin of President George W. Bush and nephew of President George H.W. Bush, he previously co-founded Athenahealth and authored a New York Times bestseller. Bush launched his campaign as an optimist and "disruptor," pledging an "economic growth emergency" on day one. His platform includes a $1 billion tax cut, simplifying business and home building, increasing natural gas availability, and reforming policies on homelessness and drug distribution to ensure fairness and dignity for Mainers.

• Robert B Charles — President and Managing Member of a consulting firm in Washington, ME

  Robert B. Charles, born in 1960, is an American lawyer and Republican political figure running for Governor of Maine in the 2026 primary election. He grew up in Wayne, Maine, and previously served in the Reagan White House and as Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Currently, he is the President of The Charles Group, LLC. His platform emphasizes dismantling cartel networks, strengthening law enforcement, refocusing education on core competencies, eliminating "woke" indoctrination, supporting school choice, abolishing the state income tax, and cutting regulations to boost economic growth.

• Troy Dale Jackson — Self-employed logger in Allagash, ME

  Troy Dale Jackson, a 57-year-old progressive Democrat from Allagash, Maine, is a self-employed, fifth-generation logger. Holding an associate degree from the University of Maine at Fort Kent, Jackson served in the Maine House of Representatives (2002-2008) and the State Senate (2008-2014; 2016-2024), including as Senate President from 2018-2024 before being term-limited. Running for governor in 2026, he states Democrats have lost touch with working people. His platform focuses on fighting for working families, addressing housing affordability and child care, advocating for health care and Wabanaki sovereignty, and rejecting dark money.

• David J Jones — Businessman in Falmouth, ME

  David J. Jones is an outsider businessman and job creator, having spent over 50 years building companies and growing Maine’s economy through real-world experience. He is running for Governor to audit state finances, cut wasteful spending, and implement a long-term vision for prosperity, believing Maine is at a tipping point due to failing schools, closing hospitals, high taxes, and overregulation. Jones champions property rights, school choice, defending gun rights, and eliminating healthcare Certificate of Need requirements. He opposes banning specific energy sources, increasing the real estate transfer tax, and policies that hinder local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. Jones aims to rebuild Maine's future and make it better for future generations.

• Angus King Iii — Businessman in Portland, ME

  Angus King III is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Maine in 2026, marking his first run for public office. He is the son of U.S. Senator and former Governor Angus King. A businessman, King founded and formerly led Peaks Renewables, an energy company, and is also an affordable housing developer. He advocates for a better Maine by fostering small business growth, economic innovation, and addressing affordability for families. His platform includes lowering costs, building more housing, and creating jobs. He lives in Portland, Maine, with his family.

• James D Libby — Incumbent Maine State Senator in Standish, ME

  James D. Libby, born November 14, 1960, is a Republican American politician, college professor, and author residing in Standish, Maine. A tenured professor at Thomas College, he has also authored several books. Libby boasts a long political career in Maine, serving in the State House (1992-1996) and State Senate (1996-2000). He returned to the Senate in 2022, re-elected in 2024 to represent District 22. Libby previously sought the gubernatorial nomination in 2002. For the 2026 gubernatorial election, he campaigned on policies like nuclear power, economic development, maintaining the minimum wage, and a voluntary paid family medical leave plan. He ultimately withdrew from the primary race after failing to qualify for clean elections financing.

• Garrett Paul Mason — Incumbent Androscoggin County Commissioner in ME

  Garrett Paul Mason, a Republican politician and businessman from Maine, is a candidate for Governor in the 2026 election. He currently serves as an Incumbent Androscoggin County Commissioner, a role he's held since 2021 with his term expiring in 2028. Mason previously represented districts in the Maine Senate from 2010 to 2018, where he was elected Majority Leader and sponsored legislation to establish charter schools. Born in Lewiston, Maine, he earned a B.S. in Management and Marketing from Pensacola Christian College. His professional background includes sports management. He previously ran for governor in 2018, finishing second in the Republican primary.

• Owen Z Mccarthy — Entrepreneur in ME

  Owen McCarthy, a Republican, is running for Governor of Maine in the 2026 primary. Raised in Patten, the son of a logger and a lunch lady, he credits his work ethic to his upbringing. He holds an engineering degree from the University of Maine and a master's from Harvard Business School. As a Maine entrepreneur, McCarthy co-founded MedRhythms, a medical device company aiding mobility, and also started a 3D electronics business. The youngest gubernatorial candidate, he is motivated by his sons to ensure Maine's future success. His "Maine 2040" plan focuses on an innovation-driven economy and ensuring families thrive in the technological revolution. He advocates for phonics-based education, aiming to be a problem solver dedicated to a better future for Maine.

• Benjamin T Midgley — Candidate for Governor in ME

  Benjamin T. Midgley, a Maine Governor candidate, aims to boost community safety through law enforcement collaboration. His economic plan involves cutting red tape, supporting small businesses, attracting investment, and revitalizing Maine's farming, fishing, and forestry. He advocates for education's return to basics and parental empowerment. Midgley seeks to lower energy costs by ending special interest subsidies. A proud Second Amendment defender, he vows to protect constitutional freedoms. On immigration, he plans to end sanctuary city policies, prioritize Maine citizens, secure the northern border, and combat illegal drug operations, easing taxpayer burden.

• Hannah M Pingree — Candidate for Governor of Maine in North Haven, ME

  Hannah M. Pingree is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Maine in the 2026 primary election. She is the daughter of US Representative Chellie Pingree. Pingree served as a Maine House Representative from 2002 to 2010, including two years as the 99th Speaker of the Maine House, becoming the second woman to hold that position. Most recently, she directed Governor Janet Mills' Office of Policy Innovation and the Future from 2019 to 2025, focusing on climate resilience, housing, and workforce development. Announcing her candidacy on June 10, 2025, her platform emphasizes economic opportunity, affordable housing, health care, climate action, voting rights, and protecting elections. She holds a BA from Brown University.

• Nirav D Shah — Attorney in Brunswick, ME

  Nirav D. Shah, an epidemiologist, economist, and attorney, is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Maine in 2026. Born in Wisconsin in 1977, he holds a BS from the University of Louisville and a JD and MD from the University of Chicago. Shah's extensive public health career includes serving as Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Director of the Maine CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. CDC. He is running to address rising costs, housing challenges, and healthcare accessibility, advocating for reproductive rights, expanding education opportunities, promoting clean energy, and streamlining housing development. Shah, who lives in Brunswick, is married and speaks multiple languages.

• Robert J Wessels — Businessman in Paris, ME

  Robert J. Wessels, a Republican, is running for Governor of Maine in 2026. A husband and father from Paris, Maine, he's a self-described political outsider with over 20 years in business management, including Walmart and US Cellular. He holds a bachelor's degree from Moody Bible Institute and an MBA from the University of Arizona, having also served on the Town of Paris selectboard. Wessels advocates for school choice, energy reform, banning non-citizen voting, and voter ID laws. He aims to bring limited government, lower costs, and transparency to Maine as an "everyday business person."