Republican Bobby Charles will face Democrat Hannah Pingree for governor, while Matt Dunlap won the Democratic primary in the 2nd District, NBC News projects.
Maine Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles, center, during a debate of Republican candidates for governor at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine, on March 24. Rich Abrahamson / The Central Maine Morning Sentinel via AP file
June 19, 2026, 5:39 AM EDT
Maine’s major primaries were resolved early Friday morning after the state tabulated its ranked choice votes: Democrat Hanna Pingree will face off against Republican Bobby Charles in the race for governor, while Democrat Matt Dunlap will advance to the general election in the pivotal 2nd Congressional District race, NBC News projects.
Pingree becomes the favorite to secure the governorship this fall in a state that then-Vice President Kamala Harris won by about 7 points in 2024, while Dunlap will face off against Gov. Paul LePage, who had already secured the Republican primary, in one of the top battleground House districts in the country.
Now, Pingree will take on Republican Bobby Charles, a former naval intelligence officer and lobbyist who previously helmed the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in President George W. Bush’s administration. He’s leaned on that experience in the federal government to frame himself as tough on crime while attacking “woke policies” coming out of the state.
Meanwhile, Dunlap, the state auditor and former secretary of state, won the Democratic primary for Maine’s battleground House seat running as a progressive, embracing “Medicare for All” and leaning on his decades-long political career in the state.
Dunlap was in second after first-choice votes were tallied but ended up winning narrowly in the ranked choice tabulation over Joe Baldacci, a state senator and son of a former governor. Baldacci was the establishment Democratic pick and was running with a boost from House Democrats’ campaign arm and the top House Democratic super PAC.
Jordan Wood, the one-time chief of staff to former Rep. Katie Porter, was eliminated during the ranked choice tabulation.
Democrats have had a grip on the 2nd District for years, as Rep. Jared Golden repeatedly won tough races against his Republican foes even as President Donald Trump carried the district. Trump won by 9 points there in 2024.
But Golden’s retirement makes it one of Republicans’ best chances to flip a seat this fall, and it’s expected to draw significant spending from both parties.
LePage, meanwhile, is backed by Trump and has described himself as “ Donald Trump before Donald Trump became popular.
He’s well known in the state after two terms as governor and a subsequent failed comeback bid in 2022, political experience that makes him formidable. But his critics argue that he’s vulnerable given his history of controversial comments.
Read the full article at NBC News →📄Source document: Maine Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles, center, during a debate of Republican candidates for governor at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine→5 reports
The HillIndependentCenter2 days agoHannah Pingree (D) and Bobby Charles (R) will compete in the November election to become the next governor of Maine following the retirement of current Governor Janet Mills (D). Five Democratic candidates and eight Republican candidates ran for their parties' nominations.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral summary of the upcoming gubernatorial race in Maine, mentioning both major-party candidates without apparent bias in language, framing, or sourcing. It does not take a stance on either candidate or party.
NBC NewsIndependentCenter2 days agoMaine has finalized its ranked choice primaries, with Democrat Hannah Pingree set to face Republican Bobby Charles in the gubernatorial race and Democrat Matt Dunlap advancing to the general election in the 2nd Congressional District. Dunlap will compete against incumbent Republican Governor Paul LePage in a key House district.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the outcomes of the primaries without overtly favoring any political side. It includes details about the candidates' backgrounds and the significance of the races but does not use biased language or selectively present information to support one side.
The New York Times (US)Independent🔒Center2 days agoMatt Dunlap, a progressive Democrat, has won the Democratic primary in Maine's swing district and will face former Governor Paul LePage, a Republican, in the general election in November.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or framing. It states the outcome of the primary and identifies the candidates for the general election without taking a stance or emphasizing one side over the other.
The New York Times (US)Independent🔒Center2 days ago Hannah Pingree and Bobby Charles Will Face Off in Maine Governor’s RaceHannah Pingree and Bobby Charles will face off in the Maine governor's race. Charles, a conservative Republican, had led the field before a ranked-choice runoff. Pingree, a former Maine House speaker, had been in a close race with other Democrats.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral summary of the candidates and their positions without overtly favoring either side. It mentions both candidates' backgrounds and their positions in the race without using biased language or emphasizing one over the other.
PoliticoParty-alignedCenter2 days agoDemocrat Hannah Pingree and Republican Bobby Charles will compete in the upcoming Maine gubernatorial election. Pingree advanced from the Democratic runoff, while Charles won the Republican primary. Independent candidate Rick Bennett will also appear on the ballot. The general election will not use ranked choice voting. Republicans hope to regain control of the governor's office after eight years of Democratic leadership under Governor Janet Mills.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced overview of both candidates, their backgrounds, and the context of the election without overtly favoring either side. It mentions the political landscape, the candidates' qualifications, and the electoral system without using biased language or selective sourcing.
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