Key facts
- Hannah Pingree (D) and Bobby Charles (R) will compete for Maine governor.
Maine has finalized its gubernatorial and a key U.S. House race following primary elections. Hannah Pingree will face Bobby Charles for governor, while Matt Dunlap secured the Democratic nomination for the 2nd Congressional District.
The outcomes of these primaries set the stage for critical elections in Maine, impacting the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives and the state's executive leadership.
Maine's primary elections have concluded, setting the stage for key gubernatorial and congressional races in the fall. Democrat Hannah Pingree and Republican Bobby Charles emerged victorious in their respective primaries to vie for the state's governorship, a position left open by term-limited Democratic Governor Janet Mills.
In a closely watched race for the U.S. House of Representatives' 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Matt Dunlap secured the party's nomination. He is set to face former Governor Paul LePage, an ally of President Donald Trump, in a contest for a seat that Democrats aim to retain. The incumbent, Representative Jared Golden, is not seeking re-election.
The primaries, which concluded with ranked-choice voting tabulations, also saw oyster farmer Graham Platner win the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins. Platner's victory was substantial enough to avoid the need for ranked-choice tabulation.
The use of ranked-choice voting was necessitated in several races because no candidate secured over 50% of the popular vote in the initial June 9 contests, reflecting competitive fields in both parties.