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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.

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^[3]^[2]
Ryan Fecteau, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives^[2]
Jared Golden, U.S. Representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district^[4]^[2]
Troy Jackson, former President of the Maine Senate^[3]^[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^[3]^[2]
Rachel Talbot Ross, state senator and former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives^[3]^[2]

Declined

Adam Lee, car dealer^[2]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Robert Wessels, cell phone store manager^[5]

Publicly expressed interest

Jonathan Bush, healthcare executive and nephew of former U.S. President George H.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^[6]
Laurel Libby, state representative^[2]
Garrett Mason, former majority leader of the Maine Senate and candidate for governor in 2018^[2]
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^[4]
Peter Cianchette, former U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica, former state representative, and nominee for governor in 2002^[2]
James Libby, state senator and candidate for governor in 2002^[2]

Declined

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

References

^ "Kenneth Forrest Pinet". Maine Ethics Commission. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q Shepherd, Billy Kobin, Michael (2024-12-02). "The famous names and familiar faces considering a run for Maine governor". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2024-12-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Gagnon, Matthew (2024-05-15). "The race for Maine governor in 2026 has begun". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
^ ^a ^b "Election 2024: Looking forward to Maine's 2026 gubernatorial race". WCSH. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
^ "Wessels declares gubernatorial candidacy plans to scooter across state" (Press release). 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via Sun Journal.
^ Rice, Andrew (2023-12-03). "Jason Levesque says his loss is a 'cautionary tale' for municipal leaders pushing for change". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2024-12-05.

[1] "Kenneth Forrest Pinet". Maine Ethics Commission. Retrieved 2024-11-17.

[:0-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q Shepherd, Billy Kobin, Michael (2024-12-02). "The famous names and familiar faces considering a run for Maine governor". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2024-12-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[race_has_begun-3] Gagnon, Matthew (2024-05-15). "The race for Maine governor in 2026 has begun". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-11-17.

[looking_forward-4] "Election 2024: Looking forward to Maine's 2026 gubernatorial race". WCSH. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2024-11-17.

[5] "Wessels declares gubernatorial candidacy plans to scooter across state" (Press release). 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via Sun Journal.

[6] Rice, Andrew (2023-12-03). "Jason Levesque says his loss is a 'cautionary tale' for municipal leaders pushing for change". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2024-12-05.

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