Bobby Charles, a Republican, and Hannah Pingree, a Democrat, will compete in Maine's gubernatorial race following the completion of vote tabulations from the primary held on June 9, 2026. The Associated Press reported the results on June 19, 2026, after a ranked choice runoff was necessary due to no candidate receiving 50% of the votes on the primary election day.
In the Republican primary, Charles received 37.9% of the initial votes and secured over 60% in the final round against Benjamin T. Midgley. On the Democratic side, Pingree initially garnered 22.3% compared to Nirav D. Shah’s 26.8%, but ultimately won with over 55% after the ranked choice runoff.
The Democratic primary saw over 200,000 voters participate, compared to around 99,000 Republican voters. The upcoming general election will determine the successor to Gov. Janet Mills, who is term-limited. This election marks the first time Maine voters will elect a new governor since 2018, and it is anticipated to be a significant test for the Democratic party in a state known for alternating party leadership.
The Republican primary included several candidates, with Charles, a former official in the Reagan and Bush administrations, running a conservative campaign focused on issues such as immigration and crime. The race is also seen as a measure of the viability of traditional New England Republicans in the current political landscape influenced by former President Donald Trump.
On the Democratic side, candidates included Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, and others. The general election is expected to attract national attention as both parties consider Maine a competitive battleground in the current political climate.