Who Is Running for Maine Governor
Democrat Hannah Pingree, Republican Bobby Charles and independent Richard Bennett are on the ballot for Maine governor on November 3, 2026, and none is an incumbent. Governor Janet Mills has served the two consecutive terms the state constitution allows (Ballotpedia; Maine Constitution, Art. V, Pt. 1, Sec. 2).
Key facts
- The general election is November 3, 2026, and Maine voters can register in person through Election Day.
- The governor’s race is decided by the most votes, not by ranked-choice voting.
- Maine has no lieutenant governor. The Senate President is first in line if the office becomes vacant.
- The new governor takes office January 6, 2027.
Hannah Pingree is a former director of the Maine Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. Richard Bennett is a state senator for District 18 since December 2022, who left the Republican Party on June 24, 2025 and chaired the Maine Republican Party from 2013 (Ballotpedia). Two write-in candidates, Randy Wilcox and John Glowa, are also running.
Candidates for Maine governor on the November 3, 2026 ballot
Source: Ballotpedia, Maine gubernatorial election, 2026, as of 2026-10-14
Ranked-Choice Voting and the Maine Governor Race
Maine used ranked-choice voting in the June primaries for governor, but the November election for governor goes to whoever gets the most votes. State law lists the races that use ranked-choice voting. Primaries for governor are on that list, and so are general elections for U.S. Senate and U.S. House, but the general election for governor is not (21-A M.R.S. sec. 1, sub-sec. 27-C).
On the same November ballot, voters rank candidates for U.S. Senate and U.S. House but mark one choice for governor. Our Maine Senate race guide covers the Senate ballot, and our ranked-choice voting guide explains how the counting works.
Maine Governor Primary Results
Hannah Pingree won the Democratic primary in the fourth round of ranked-choice counting with 56.2%, after finishing second in the first round. Nirav Shah, a former principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, led the first count with 26.9%. Troy Jackson, who placed third, later became the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate (Ballotpedia).
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Nirav Shah | 26.9% |
| Hannah Pingree | 23.2% |
| Troy Dale Jackson | 21.1% |
| Shenna Bellows | 20.6% |
| Angus King III | 8.2% |
Source: Ballotpedia, certified results. 217,747 first-round votes. Pingree won the final round, 111,750 to 86,950.
Bobby Charles led the eight-candidate Republican primary in every round and won the seventh round with 60.3%. He took 38% of 129,407 first-round votes (Ballotpedia).
The 2022 Maine Governor Result
In 2022, Governor Mills won a second term over former Governor Paul LePage by 89,630 votes out of 676,819 cast.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Janet T. Mills (D) | 55.7% |
| Paul LePage (R) | 42.4% |
| Sam Hunkler (I) | 1.9% |
Source: Ballotpedia, certified results.
That race had an incumbent, and 2026 does not. This page carries no polls or race ratings (Ballotpedia).
The Maine Legislature and the Veto
Democrats hold 20 of 35 Senate seats and 75 of 151 House seats. Republicans hold 14 and 73, and the rest are independents or unenrolled members, according to the Legislature’s member pages.
Overriding a veto takes two-thirds of each House, which is 24 senators and 101 representatives if every member votes (Art. IV, Pt. 3, Sec. 2). Neither party holds that many seats in either chamber. All 35 Senate seats and all 151 House seats are on the November 3 ballot. The new Legislature convenes December 2, 2026 (Art. IV, Pt. 3, Sec. 1).
What the Maine Governor Can Do
Maine’s governor heads the executive branch, commands the state’s military forces, and signs or vetoes every bill the Legislature passes (Maine Constitution, Art. V).
Powers of the Maine governor
Source: Constitution of Maine, Articles IV and V
How to Vote for Governor in Maine
Register online or by mail by October 13, 2026, or register in person at your town office or polling place through Election Day. Any voter can request an absentee ballot, and it must reach your municipal clerk before the polls close (21-A M.R.S. sec. 755; Maine Secretary of State).
Maine's 2026 governor election, step by step
- October 5 to October 29, 2026 In-person absentee voting Vote early at your town or city clerk's office.
- October 13, 2026 Online and mail registration deadline After this, register in person, including on Election Day.
- October 29, 2026 Last day to request an absentee ballot The ballot must reach your clerk before polls close on Election Day.
- November 3, 2026 Election Day Polls are open until 8 p.m.. Mark one candidate for governor.
- January 6, 2027 Term begins The new governor takes office.
Our 2026 governor races guide covers all 36 races on the ballot this year.
Maine Governor Questions
Who is running for Maine governor in 2026?
Democrat Hannah Pingree, Republican Bobby Charles and independent Richard Bennett. The seat is open because Governor Janet Mills has served the two consecutive terms the Maine Constitution allows.
Does Maine use ranked-choice voting for governor?
Only in the primaries. Maine law applies ranked-choice voting to primaries for governor and to general elections for U.S. Senate and U.S. House; the November election for governor goes to whoever gets the most votes.
Who won the 2026 Maine primaries for governor?
Hannah Pingree won the Democratic primary in the fourth round of ranked-choice counting with 56.2%, and Bobby Charles won the Republican primary in the seventh round with 60.3%. Both primaries were held June 9, 2026.
Does Maine have a lieutenant governor?
No. If the office of governor becomes vacant, the President of the Maine Senate takes it over, as the state constitution provides.
How many votes does it take to override a veto in Maine?
Two-thirds of each House: 24 senators and 101 representatives if every member votes. The new governor takes office January 6, 2027.
What You Can Do
- Check your registration on the Secretary of State’s voter page, or plan to register in person, including on Election Day.
- Request an absentee ballot by October 29, 2026, or vote early at your clerk’s office.
- Find your state senator and representative with the Legislature’s list of towns in each district.
- Read up on the issues on the ballot in Maine: the minimum wage, abortion laws and marijuana laws.