# 2026 Maine gubernatorial election

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2026 :
State government
Gubernatorial elections
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State Senate elections
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2024 :
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Question 5
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Question 5 :
City of Portland
Mayoral elections
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2023 :
vte :
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

#### Formed exploratory committee

* Troy Jackson, former President of the Maine Senate

#### 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
* Ryan Fecteau, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives
* Jared Golden, U.S. Representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district
* Angus King III, energy executive and son of U.S. senator Angus King
* Chellie Pingree, U.S. Representative from Maine's 1st congressional district (2009–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2002
* Hannah Pingree, director of the Maine Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives
* Rachel Talbot Ross, state senator and former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives

#### Declined

* Adam Lee, car dealer

## Republican primary
### Candidates
#### Declared

* Robert Wessels, former Paris selectman

#### Publicly expressed interest

* Jonathan Bush, healthcare executive and cousin of former president George W. Bush
* Robert Charles, lawyer and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
* David Jones, real estate executive and candidate for governor in 2006
* Jason Levesque, former mayor of Auburn and nominee for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 2010
* Laurel Libby, state representative
* Garrett Mason, former majority leader of the Maine Senate and candidate for governor in 2018
* Travis Mills, nonprofit founder and motivational speaker
* Shawn Moody, former University of Maine System trustee and nominee 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
* 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
* Owen McCarthy, digital therapeutics company owner
* Ben Midgely, founder of 24 Hour Fitness
* Mike Soboleski, former state representative from the 73rd district (2022–2024) and candidate for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 2024
* Trey Stewart, state senator from the 2nd district (2020–present) and candidate for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 2022

#### Declined

* Ray Richardson, political analyst and radio host

## General election
### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Likely D | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections | Battleground | February 6, 2025 |