Former assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles holds a commanding lead in the Maine Republican gubernatorial primary, according to an internal poll.
In a first choice ballot, Charles captured the support of 47% of likely voters, compared to his nearest challenge, Jonathan Bush, who received 11% support, in a McLaughlin & Associates poll. “Garrett Mason tied for second with 11% while Ben Midgley placed fourth with 10%. All other candidates received single-digit backing.”
Maine – GOP Primary – April 2026 – Executive Summary (1).pdf
When voters were asked to factor their second choice, Charles earned an outright majority of 54%, with Bush still placing second with 19%. Mason and Midgley both earned 18%.
President Donald Trump has not issued an endorsement in the race, though 58% of respondents said they would back Charles if the president supported him.
The winner of the primary will face an as-yet-undetermined candidate, since Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, is term-limited.
Maine has generally leaned left in recent decades, though the Senate contest and at least one congressional race are expected to be competitive in 2026. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is fighting for reelection against presumptive Democratic nominee Graham Platner, while former Gov. Paul LePage, R-Maine, is seeking a House seat.
The McLaughlin survey did not poll a general election match up.
Conducted April 28-30, the survey questioned 300 likely voters in Maine and has a margin of error of +/- 5.7%.
Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.
Reprinted with permission from Just The News by Ben Whedon.
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
