2026 Maine gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Maine gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 2022 | November 3, 2026 | 2030 ->

|
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|  |  |

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Party  | Democratic | Republican

* * *

| Incumbent Governor

Janet Mills
Democratic

|

Elections in Maine

Federal offices

|  U.S. President

* 1820
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* 1840
* 1844
* 1848
* 1852
* 1856
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* 1880
* 1884
* 1888
* 1892
* 1896
* 1900
* 1904
* 1908
* 1912
* 1916
* 1920
* 1924
* 1928
* 1932
* 1936
* 1940
* 1944
* 1948
* 1952
* 1956
* 1960
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* 1972
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* Dem
* 1988
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* Rep

U.S. Senate

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U.S. House of Representatives

* 1820–1821
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* 1830
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* 2006
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* 2010
* 2012
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* 2022
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State government

|  Gubernatorial elections

* 1820
* 1821
* 1822
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* 1824
* 1825
* 1826
* 1827
* 1828
* 1829
* 1830
* 1831
* 1832
* 1833
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* 1835
* 1836
* 1837
* 1838
* 1839
* 1840
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* 1846
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* 1850
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* 1876
* 1877
* 1878
* 1879
* 1880
* 1882
* 1884
* 1886
* 1888
* 1890
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* 1894
* 1896
* 1898
* 1900
* 1902
* 1904
* 1906
* 1908
* 1910
* 1912
* 1914
* 1916
* 1918
* 1920
* 1922
* 1924
* 1926
* 1928
* 1930
* 1932
* 1934
* 1936
* 1938
* 1940
* 1942
* 1944
* 1946
* 1948
* 1950
* 1952
* 1954
* 1956
* 1958
* 1960
* 1962
* 1966
* 1970
* 1974
* 1978
* 1982
* 1986
* 1990
* 1994
* 1998
* 2002
* 2006
* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022

State Senate elections

* 2016
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022

State House elections

* 2016
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* 2020
* 2022

Ballot measures

|  People's vetoes

2009
Question 1

2011
Question 1

2018
Question 1 (Jun)

2020
Question 1
Citizen initiated referendums

2012
Question 1

2014
Question 1

2015
Question 1

2016
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5

2017
Question 1
Question 2

2018
Question 1 (Nov)

2021
Question 1

2023
Question 1
Constitutional amendments

2021
Question 3
Legislatively referred referendums

2024
Question 5

City of Portland

|  Mayoral elections

* 2011
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023

* v
* t
* e

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

[edit]

### Candidates

[edit]

#### Filed paperwork

[edit]

* Kenneth Forrest Pinet[1]

#### Potential

[edit]

* 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 Maine's 2nd congressional district[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, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives[2]
* Spencer Thibodeau, former Portland city councilor[3]

#### Declined

[edit]

* Adam Lee, CEO of Lee Auto Malls[3]

## Republican primary

[edit]

### Candidates

[edit]

#### Declared

[edit]

* Robert Wessels, cell phone store manager[5]

#### Potential

[edit]

* Rick Bennett, state senator, former President of the Maine Senate, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012[4]
* Jonathan Bush, CEO of Athena Health and nephew of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush[3]
* Robert B. Charles, lawyer and former U.S. assistant Secretary of State[3]
* Peter Cianchette, former U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica, former state representative and nominee for governor in 2002[3]
* David Jones, CEO of F.O. Bailey Real Estate and candidate for governor in 2006[3]
* Laurel Libby, state representative[4]
* Garrett Mason, former majority leader of the Maine Senate[3]
* Bruce Poliquin, fomer U.S. representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district[3]
* Ray Richardson, political analyst and radio host[4]

## Independent candidates

[edit]

### Potential

[edit]

* Jared Golden[a], U.S. Representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district[4]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Golden is a Democrat, but media sources have speculated that he might run as an independent.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Kenneth Forrest Pinet". Maine Ethics Commission. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
2. ^ 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.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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)
4. ^ a b c d e "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". Sun Journal. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-11-17.

* v
* t
* e

(2025 <-)  2026 United States elections (-> 2027)

U.S.
Senate|

* Alabama
* Alaska
* Arkansas
* Colorado
* Delaware
* Florida (special)
* Georgia
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
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* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Mississippi
* Montana
* Nebraska
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* North Carolina
* Ohio (special)
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Virginia
* West Virginia
* Wyoming

U.S.
House|

* Alabama
* Alaska
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* Arizona
* Arkansas
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* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* District of Columbia
* Florida
* Georgia
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* Indiana
* Iowa
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* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
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* Michigan
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* Mississippi
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* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
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* North Carolina
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* Northern Mariana Islands
* Ohio
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* Texas
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* Utah
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* Virginia
* Washington
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* Wyoming

Governors|

* Alabama
* Lt. Gov
* Alaska
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* Lt. Gov
* California
* Lt. Gov
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Florida
* Georgia
* Lt. Gov
* Guam
* Hawaii
* Idaho
* Lt. Gov
* Illinois
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* Lt. Gov
* New Hampshire
* New Mexico
* New York
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Lt. Gov
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Rhode Island
* Lt. Gov
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Lt. Gov
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* Vermont
* Lt. Gov
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming

Attorneys
general|

* Alabama
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* Florida
* Georgia
* Guam
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Mexico
* New York
* North Dakota
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Texas
* Vermont
* Wisconsin

Secretaries
of state|

* Alabama
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Georgia
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Mexico
* North Dakota
* Ohio
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Vermont
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming

State
treasurers|

* Alabama
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* Florida
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Mexico
* New York
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Texas
* Vermont
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming

State
legislatures|

* Alabama
* House
* Senate
* Alaska
* House
* Senate
* Arizona
* House
* Senate
* Arkansas
* House
* Senate
* California
* Assembly
* Senate
* Colorado
* House
* Senate
* Connecticut
* House
* Senate
* Delaware
* House
* Senate
* Florida
* House
* Senate
* Georgia
* House
* Senate
* Hawaii
* House
* Senate
* Idaho
* House
* Senate
* Illinois
* House
* Senate
* Indiana
* House
* Senate
* Iowa
* House
* Senate
* Kansas
* House
* Kentucky
* House
* Senate
* Maine
* House
* Senate
* Maryland
* House
* Senate
* Massachusetts
* House
* Senate
* Michigan
* House
* Senate
* Minnesota
* House
* Senate
* Missouri
* House
* Senate
* Montana
* House
* Senate
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* Assembly
* Senate
* New Hampshire
* House
* Senate
* New Mexico
* House
* New York
* Assembly
* Senate
* North Carolina
* House
* Senate
* North Dakota
* House
* Senate
* Ohio
* House
* Senate
* Oklahoma
* House
* Senate
* Oregon
* House
* Senate
* Pennsylvania
* House
* Senate
* Rhode Island
* House
* Senate
* South Carolina
* House
* South Dakota
* House
* Senate
* Tennessee
* House
* Senate
* Texas
* House
* Senate
* Utah
* House
* Senate
* Vermont
* House
* Senate
* Washington
* House
* Senate
* West Virginia
* House
* Senate
* Wisconsin
* Assembly
* Senate
* Wyoming
* House
* Senate

Mayors|

* Los Angeles, CA

Statewide|

* Alabama
* Alaska
* American Samoa
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* Florida
* Georgia
* Guam
* Hawaii
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Mississippi
* Missouri
* Montana
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* New York
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* Utah
* Vermont
* Virginia
* Washington
* West Virginia
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming

* v
* t
* e

Elections and referendums in Maine

Presidential elections|

* 1820
* 1824
* 1828
* 1832
* 1836
* 1840
* 1844
* 1848
* 1852
* 1856
* 1860
* 1864
* 1868
* 1872
* 1876
* 1880
* 1884
* 1888
* 1892
* 1896
* 1900
* 1904
* 1908
* 1912
* 1916
* 1920
* 1924
* 1928
* 1932
* 1936
* 1940
* 1944
* 1948
* 1952
* 1956
* 1960
* 1964
* 1968
* 1972
* 1976
* 1980
* 1984
* 1988
* 1992
* 1996
* 2000
* 2004
* 2008
* 2012
* 2016
* 2020
* 2024

Senate elections|

| Class 1|

* 1916
* 1922
* 1928
* 1934
* 1940
* 1946
* 1952
* 1958
* 1964
* 1970
* 1976
* 1982
* 1988
* 1994
* 2000
* 2006
* 2012
* 2018
* 2024

|

Class 2|

* 1918
* 1924
* 1930
* 1936
* 1942
* 1948
* 1954
* 1960
* 1966
* 1972
* 1978
* 1984
* 1990
* 1996
* 2002
* 2008
* 2014
* 2020

House elections|

* 1998
* 2000
* 2002
* 2004
* 2006
* 2008
* 2010
* 2012
* 2014
* 2016
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024

Gubernatorial elections|

* 1820
* 1821
* 1822
* 1823
* 1824
* 1825
* 1826
* 1827
* 1828
* 1829
* 1830
* 1831
* 1832
* 1833
* 1834
* 1835
* 1836
* 1837
* 1838
* 1839
* 1840
* 1841
* 1842
* 1843
* 1844
* 1845
* 1846
* 1847
* 1848
* 1849
* 1850
* 1852
* 1853
* 1854
* 1855
* 1856
* 1857
* 1858
* 1859
* 1860
* 1861
* 1862
* 1863
* 1864
* 1865
* 1866
* 1867
* 1868
* 1869
* 1870
* 1871
* 1872
* 1873
* 1874
* 1875
* 1876
* 1877
* 1878
* 1879
* 1880
* 1882
* 1884
* 1886
* 1888
* 1890
* 1892
* 1894
* 1896
* 1898
* 1900
* 1902
* 1904
* 1906
* 1908
* 1910
* 1912
* 1914
* 1916
* 1918
* 1920
* 1922
* 1924
* 1926
* 1928
* 1930
* 1932
* 1934
* 1936
* 1938
* 1940
* 1942
* 1944
* 1946
* 1948
* 1950
* 1952
* 1954
* 1956
* 1958
* 1960
* 1962
* 1966
* 1970
* 1974
* 1978
* 1982
* 1986
* 1990
* 1994
* 1998
* 2002
* 2006
* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022
* 2026

Legislative elections|

| State Senate|

* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024

|

State House|

* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024

Referendums|

* 2009
* 2011
* 2012
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2020
* 2021
* 2023
* 2024

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