In Maine’s governor's race and 2nd Congressional District, no Democratic candidate won the majority of votes Tuesday, meaning the races will go to a ranked runoff.
Democrats are choosing gubernatorial candidates between Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows; former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson; former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Hannah Pingree; energy executive Angus King III; and former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Nirav Shah.
Shah acknowledged early in Tuesday night that the race would likely be too close to call, but said, tongue-in-cheek: "We're doing really well in Frenchboro. We're gonna make it happen there."
Speaking to supporters Tuesday in Portland, Jackson said working class people are struggling to live, even while working several jobs, and as governor he hopes to bring relief.
Pingree said whatever happens with the Democratic nominees, she's happy, but she hopes she can win this primary. She said waiting a while for results will be "crazy," but that she’s looking forward to relaxing with her children Wednesday.
Maine’s secretary of state’s office oversees elections in the state, and Bellows told reporters that there’s a strong wall between her as a candidate and her staff.
She appeared confident, saying she’d be happy to place her rivals in cabinet positions in a future Bellows administration.
“Democrats are going to have a huge year in 2026,” Bellows told reporters. “I think I’m going to be the nominee, and I’m excited about our future.”
In the 2nd Congressional District, former Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap, state Sen. Joe Baldacci, former U.S. Senate candidate Jordan Wood and social worker Paige Loud are on the ballot for the Democrats. The winner will face former Gov. Paul LePage, a Trump ally.
During remarks to reporters, Dunlap talked about the importance of taking on LePage in November.
“I think … this is more than just the one election with me or whoever else and Gov. LePage," Dunlap said. "It’s the entire atmosphere we’re in. People talk about how we’re at an inflection point.”
At Sea Dog Brewing in Bangor, Baldacci mingled with supporters as the results trickled in. Supporter Jeff Kirlin says he’s known Baldacci, a Democrat running for the 2nd Congressional District, for years.
“He has a way of working across the aisle, really to get things done,” Kirlin said. “He’s very pragmatic.”
The Republican ballot for governor is even more crowded than the Democrats’. Republicans will choose between former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles; healthcare executive Jonathan Bush; former Maine Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason; University of Maine System trustee Owen McCarthy; former Paris, Maine, selectman Robert Wessels; and business owners David Jones and Ben Midgley.
With 50% of the vote counted Tuesday night, Charles declared himself the first-round leader.
"Tonight, Maine spoke," Charles said. "Hardworking, fed-up Mainers proved that Augusta insiders and millions in special interest money cannot buy this election. Whoever the Democrats nominate is a creature of the Augusta machine that has failed this state for eight years, and Rick Bennett is cut from the same cloth. Maine families are being taxed out of their homes, their streets aren't safe, and Augusta did it. That ends in November."