Primary elections in Maine are set for Tuesday, with key races for the governor's office, a Senate seat, and congressional positions. Polling places will open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., depending on the municipality.
The race to replace term-limited Governor Janet Mills features a dozen candidates vying for the Democratic nomination, including Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Senate President Troy Jackson, energy executive Angus King III, former House Speaker Hannah Pingree, and former CDC Director Nirav Shah. Recent polling indicates a close contest between Jackson and Shah, each receiving 28% support among likely Democratic voters, while Bellows, Pingree, and King received 13%, 12%, and 7% respectively.
On the Republican side, candidates include Jonathan Bush, Robert Charles, David Jones, Garrett Mason, Owen McCarthy, Benjamin Midgley, and Robert Wessels, with Charles leading at 37% support.
Maine's congressional races also attract attention, with four Democrats and one Republican competing in the 2nd Congressional District to replace outgoing Rep. Jared Golden. In the 1st Congressional District, two Republicans are challenging incumbent Rep. Chellie Pingree.
In the Senate race, Governor Mills suspended her campaign, leaving David Costello, Graham Platner, and write-in candidate Andrea LaFlamme as the remaining Democratic contenders. The eventual nominee will face Republican Senator Susan Collins in November.
Compared to previous cycles, Maine's legislative primaries are quieter this year, with most candidates running uncontested within their parties.
