2026 Maine gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2026 Maine gubernatorial election
Country:	Maine
Type:	gubernatorial
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2022 Maine gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2022
Next Election:	2030 Maine gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2030
Election Date:	November 3, 2026
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Governor
Before Election:	Janet Mills
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

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 is ineligible to seek a third consecutive term.

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

Potential

• Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2014^[2]
• Ryan Fecteau, incoming Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives^[3]
• Jared Golden, U.S. Representative from ^[4]
• Troy Jackson, former President of the Maine Senate^[2]
• Hannah Pingree, director of the Maine Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future and former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives^[2]
• Rachel Talbot Ross, state senator and former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives^[2]

Declined

• Adam Lee, car dealer

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Robert Wessels, cell phone store manager^[5]

Publicly expressed interest

• Jonathan S. Bush, healthcare executive and nephew of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush
• Robert Charles, lawyer and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
• David Jones, real estate executive and candidate for governor in 2006
• Laurel Libby, state representative
• Garrett Mason, former majority leader of the Maine Senate and candidate for governor in 2018
• Bruce Poliquin, former U.S. representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district

Potential

• Rick Bennett, state senator, former President of the Maine Senate, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012^[4]
• Peter Cianchette, former U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica, former state representative, and nominee for governor in 2002
• James Libby, state senator and candidate for governor in 2002

Declined

• Ray Richardson, political analyst and radio host

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kenneth Forrest Pinet. Maine Ethics Commission. 2024-11-17.
2. News: Gagnon . Matthew . 2024-05-15. The race for Maine governor in 2026 has begun . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241111063115/https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/05/15/opinion/opinion-contributor/the-race-for-maine-governor-in-2026-has-begun/ . 2024-11-11. 2024-11-17. Bangor Daily News.
3. Web site: Shepherd . Billy Kobin, Michael . 2024-12-02 . The famous names and familiar faces considering a run for Maine governor . 2024-12-02 . . en-US.
4. Web site: Election 2024: Looking forward to Maine's 2026 gubernatorial race . . 2024-11-17. 2024-11-05.
5. Web site: Wessels declares gubernatorial candidacy plans to scooter across state. Sun Journal. 2024-11-17. 2024-04-25.