Hannah Pingree Wins Maine Governor's Race With 54.8% of Early Vote

Democrat Hannah Pingree was elected governor of Maine on Nov. 3, 2026, defeating Republican Bobby Charles and independent Rick Bennett, Maine Public reported.

With more than three-quarters of precincts counted by the early hours of Nov. 4, Pingree held 54.8% of the vote to 37.2% for Charles and 8% for Bennett. The Associated Press called the contest shortly after 11:30 p.m.

Pingree, 50, will take office in January 2027, succeeding Gov. Janet Mills, for whom she worked as a senior adviser for six years. She first won a seat in the Maine House at 25 and later served as speaker.

Her campaign centered on household costs: expanding housing supply, cutting property taxes, lowering electricity prices and creating a state-run "public option" for health coverage. Charles ran on fiscal restraint and faulted the Mills administration for higher energy and living expenses. In Bangor, he told supporters his campaign was the beginning of a movement rather than a single race.

Pingree led in money as well as polling. She reported close to $5 million raised as of the most recent filings with the Maine Ethics Commission, funding television advertising and a statewide canvass, while Charles raised roughly $2 million and Bennett just under $1 million.

Her mother, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, won a 10th term in Maine's 1st District the same night.

This story was first reported by Maine Public.