Democrat Hannah Pingree to Face Republican Bobby Charles in Maine Gubernatorial Race

The matchup in the Maine gubernatorial race was set on June 19, 10 days after the primary.

Former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Hannah Pingree won the Democratic primary. Pingree defeated Dr. Nirav Shah, former principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, energy executive Angus King III, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson.

King is the son of Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), while Pingree is the daughter of Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine).

Polling showed Shah in the lead.

The Associated Press called the primary for Pingree at 1:55 a.m. ET

Pingree will face lawyer Bobby Charles. Charles defeated healthcare executive Jonathan Bush, real estate executive David Jones, former majority leader of the Maine Senate Garrett Mason, University of Maine System trustee Owen McCarthy, and former Crunch Fitness CEO Ben Midgley. Bush is the cousin of former President George W. Bush and nephew of former President George H.W. Bush.

“After a year-long campaign and a careful count, the results are in. I’m grateful, I’m ready and there is no time to waste,” Hannah Pingree wrote on X.

Charles won the Republican primary. The Associated Press called the race at 1:55 a.m. ET

“We won! Thank you Maine!!” Charles posted on X.

Charles had led in the polls.

The Cook Political Report rated the contest as likely Democratic. The winner will succeed Gov. Janet Mills, who is term-limited and unsuccessfully ran for Senate. The governor’s office in Maine frequently changes party hands. The state hasn’t elected consecutive governors from the same party in 74 years.

Pingree focused her campaign on affordability, education, economic opportunity, healthcare, housing, and lowering energy costs.

On the Republican side, Charles campaigned on crime reduction; tax cuts; education reform; eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in state government; ending state funding for Planned Parenthood; and combating government corruption.

Also on the ballot in Maine was a U.S. Senate race.

In the Democratic primary for Senate, oysterman Graham Platner won over David Costello, former deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment. He will face incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).