AUGUSTA — Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has endorsed Republican Bobby Charles, one of eight candidates in the GOP primary for governor.
“The era of weak Republicanism is over,” Gingrich said in a fundraising email. “Bobby has the kind of strength we see from President Trump.”
The pitch goes on to describe Charles’ campaign as one “running on a bold MAGA-style vision” that emphasizes cracking down on crime, tax relief and putting Maine first.
“Bobby isn’t just another politician,” the email reads. “He is a fearless leader who understands that we are in a fight to save our states and our country.”
Gingrich, 82, served as speaker of the U.S. House from 1995 to 1999, authoring the “Contract with America” and leading Republicans to victory after 40 years of Democratic control.
Charles, 65, is an attorney and former Naval intelligence officer who led counter-narcotics operations. He has focused his campaign on fighting crime, cutting taxes and improving government accountability.
In a debate last month with former Senate President Troy Jackson, a Democrat, Charles criticized Democratic spending on wind and solar projects and the size of the state budget.
“We have drug traffickers everywhere, we have addiction everywhere,” he said. “We have our schools failing and we have fraud in the state.”
Charles is facing several other candidates in the Republican primary including former Maine Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason, real estate developer David Jones of Falmouth, healthcare tech executive Jonathan Bush, state Sen. Jim Libby, businessman Owen McCarthy, former Planet Fitness CEO Ben Midgley and Robert Wessels of Paris.
In a statement, Charles said he is “incredibly honored” to be endorsed by Gingrich.
“Newt understands that this campaign is about taking our state back right now,” he said. “We are running the corrupt elites out of town, securing our borders, and putting Maine families and their wallets first.”