Maine Governor G-ME-2026 · regular

Open in research →
Cook Political Report
Likely D
As of Apr 16, 2026
✓
Sabato's Crystal Ball
Lean D
As of Mar 19, 2026
✓✓
Polymarket
R 13¢
D 87¢
Refreshed today
D+4
Cook PVI
Incumbent
Janet Mills
Democrat · term_limited

Race dynamics

Open-seat with crowded Dem primary. Sabato shifted from Likely D to Lean D citing potential vulnerability. ME's RCV-style runoff (instant runoff voting in 2018+) complicates modeling.

Macro context

Sabato shifted from Likely D to Lean D citing vulnerability. Rural conservative enclaves ensure aggressive GOP offensive once primaries crystallize.

History

Mills won 2022 with 56% defeating LePage. Maine's elastic electorate has elected populist conservative LePage and moderate Dem Mills.

Top contenders

Adam Cote

2018 nominee
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Angus King III

Businessman / son of Sen. Angus King
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Hannah Pingree

Former House Speaker
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Full candidate field

Republicans (1)

Susan Collins

U.S. Senator
Exploring
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Democrats (5)

Adam Cote

2018 nominee
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Angus King III

Businessman / son of Sen. Angus King
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Hannah Pingree

Former House Speaker
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Shenna Bellows

Secretary of State
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Troy Jackson

Former Senate President
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Other / Independent (0)

None listed.

Key dates

  • Jun 9, 2026 — primary
  • Nov 3, 2026 — General election

Race data merged from Perplexity Pro Deep Research and Gemini Deep Research, both dated 2026-05-05, with cross-source verification. Confidence badges reflect that verification: ✓✓ both sources agree, ✓ single-source, ⚠ sources disagree. Ratings published by Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball; visual treatment is ours, no partnership implied. See /map methodology for the full freshness picture.