State
Governor
- Vote for
- 1
- Term
- 4 years
- Candidates
- 3
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: The governor is Maine's chief executive: proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes laws and appoints judges and department heads.
Open seat: Governor Janet T. Mills is not on the ballot. Ranked-choice voting is used in general elections for federal offices only, so this race is decided by plurality. Two declared write-in candidates filed for this office.
Taxes & budget
Rick BennettIndependent
- Proposes applying the Property Tax Fairness Credit directly to bills.
- Opposes suspending the state gas tax this winter.
Robert B. CharlesRepublican
- Pledges to abolish the state income tax.
- Proposes using $207 million in reserves for heating costs.
Hannah M. PingreeDemocratic
- Proposes raising the Homestead Exemption for resident homeowners.
Public safety
Rick BennettIndependent
No documented position found.
Robert B. CharlesRepublican
- Pledges to dismantle drug cartel networks operating in Maine.
Hannah M. PingreeDemocratic
No documented position found.
Education
Rick BennettIndependent
No documented position found.
Robert B. CharlesRepublican
- Proposes refocusing schools on reading, math and science.
Hannah M. PingreeDemocratic
- Proposes free full-day Pre-K for every 4-year-old.
- Supports making free community college permanent.
Housing
Rick BennettIndependent
- Proposes lower down payments for first-time homebuyers.
Robert B. CharlesRepublican
- Pledges to enforce stricter policies on homelessness.
Hannah M. PingreeDemocratic
- Proposes $100 million a year for housing development.
Economy & jobs
Rick BennettIndependent
- Proposes expanded workforce training and apprenticeships, including AI retraining.
Robert B. CharlesRepublican
No documented position found.
Hannah M. PingreeDemocratic
No documented position found.
Roads & infrastructure
Rick BennettIndependent
No documented position found.
Robert B. CharlesRepublican
- Supports temporarily suspending the state gasoline tax.
Hannah M. PingreeDemocratic
- Proposes directing the PUC to reject unjustified utility rate hikes.
Environment & parks
Rick BennettIndependent
- Supports creating a Maine Generation Authority for renewable power.
Robert B. CharlesRepublican
No documented position found.
Hannah M. PingreeDemocratic
No documented position found.
Health & human services
Rick BennettIndependent
- Supports moving Maine toward universal health coverage.
Robert B. CharlesRepublican
No documented position found.
Hannah M. PingreeDemocratic
- Proposes a state-backed public health insurance option.
Government & transparency
Rick BennettIndependent
- Supports requiring photo ID to vote.
Robert B. CharlesRepublican
No documented position found.
Hannah M. PingreeDemocratic
- Pledges to veto legislation that undermines voting rights.
- Opposes requiring photo ID to vote.
Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 9 issues covered in this race.