Governor of Maine · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in the Maine governor's race?
Rick Bennett has the strongest record in the Maine governor's race. Rick Bennett scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Hannah Pingree at 65 and Bobby Charles at 58, as of October 6, 2026. Rick Bennett's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Hannah Pingree's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. John Glowa (4 of 15 criteria) and Randy Wilcox (1 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Independent
Strongest record
Rick Bennett
68 / 100
Public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 100
Republican
Bobby Charles
On the ballot as Robert B. Charles
58 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- NR
Write-in
John Glowa
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Hannah Pingree
On the ballot as Hannah M. Pingree
65 / 100
Public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 75
Write-in
Randy Wilcox
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 1 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Rick Bennett
- On the record2025-06-24
Left the Republican Party, which he had chaired from 2013, to run for governor as an independent.
Source: Maine Public, June 24, 2025
- Credit2023 to 2024
The Center for Effective Lawmaking rated him Above Expectations in the Maine Senate for 2023 to 2024, ranked 9th, with 13 bills becoming law.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file
Bobby Charles
- Unresolved2026-10-01
The Maine Democratic Party filed an Ethics Commission complaint alleging his campaign accepted contributions above the $2,075 limit; the campaign said it is refunding excess gifts.
Where it stands: Pending. The Ethics Commission has made no determination and is scheduled to consider any findings or penalties at its Oct. 26, 2026 meeting.
Sources: Maine Morning Star via Yahoo News, Oct. 5, 2026, Fox Bangor, Oct. 1, 2026
- On the record2003 to 2005
Federal audits raised concerns about management, spending and effectiveness during his 18-month tenure leading the State Department's narcotics bureau, an issue raised in the 2026 debates.
John Glowa
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Hannah Pingree
- On the record2008
Elected speaker of the Maine House in 2008, the second woman to hold the post.
Source: Maine Public, June 10, 2025
- Credit2007 to 2010
The Center for Effective Lawmaking rated her Above Expectations in the Maine House, ranked fourth in 2007 to 2008 and 11th in 2009 to 2010.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file
Randy Wilcox
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Rick Bennett. Campaign finance reports are on file with the Maine Ethics Commission. No Ethics Commission finding naming him was found on its 2026 meeting pages.
Source: Maine Public, Sept. 24, 2026
Bobby Charles. Campaign finance reports are on file with the Maine Ethics Commission. A complaint over contributions above the $2,075 limit is pending, with no determination; his campaign is refunding the excess.
Sources: Maine Public, Sept. 24, 2026, Maine Morning Star via Yahoo News, Oct. 5, 2026
John Glowa. No public record found.
Hannah Pingree. Campaign finance reports are on file with the Maine Ethics Commission. Complaints over 'red box' web messages by three Democratic candidates ended in a general advisory statement, with no finding against her.
Sources: Maine Public, Sept. 24, 2026, Maine Ethics Commission, May 27, 2026 meeting
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Rick Bennett. Left the Republican Party in June 2025 after more than three decades, including as state party chair, to run as an independent; Maine Public reported departures from party orthodoxy since 2020.
Source: Maine Public, June 24, 2025
Bobby Charles. No public record found.
John Glowa. No public record found.
Hannah Pingree. No public record found.
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Rick Bennett. Took part in the Oct. 1, 2026 televised debate; a second debate is set for Oct. 8.
Sources: Portland Press Herald, Oct. 1, 2026, Maine Public, Sept. 30, 2026
Bobby Charles. Took part in the Oct. 1, 2026 televised debate and a Maine Public call-in interview.
Sources: Portland Press Herald, Oct. 1, 2026, Maine Public, Oct. 5, 2026
John Glowa. No public record found.
Hannah Pingree. Took part in the Oct. 1, 2026 televised debate with Charles and Bennett; a second debate is set for Oct. 8.
Sources: Portland Press Herald, Oct. 1, 2026, Maine Public, Sept. 30, 2026
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Rick Bennett. Decades in the Legislature, including as Senate president, with no formal conduct finding found.
Bobby Charles. Attorney and former federal official with no formal conduct finding found.
Source: Maine Public, June 19, 2026
John Glowa. No public record found.
Hannah Pingree. Former House speaker and director of the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future for more than six years, with no formal conduct finding found.
Source: Maine Public, June 10, 2025
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Rick Bennett. Took the oath as a state legislator in three periods since 1990. No official finding of misuse of office and no action to reject certified results found.
Bobby Charles. Served in the State Department under President George W. Bush, leading its narcotics bureau. No official finding of misuse of office and no action to reject certified results found.
John Glowa. No public record found.
Hannah Pingree. Took the oath as a state representative from 2002 to 2010. No official finding of misuse of office found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Hannah Pingree
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Rick Bennett. Maine House 1990 to 1994 and Maine Senate 1996 to 2004 and 2020 to present, including Senate president in 2001 to 2002 (E9).
Bobby Charles. Led the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs for 18 months under President George W. Bush (senior government post); attorney and consultant. Has not held elected office.
John Glowa. Environmental specialist at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection from 1987 to 2016, per his campaign site as reported by Maine Morning Star.
Hannah Pingree. Four terms in the Maine House (2002 to 2010), including as speaker from 2008, then more than six years leading a governor's policy office (E9).
Sources: Maine Public, June 10, 2025, Ballotpedia, Hannah Pingree
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Rick Bennett. Former Senate president (E5). Proposes specific measures, such as applying the Property Tax Fairness Credit directly to tax bills and creating an inspector general office.
Sources: Maine Public Your Vote 2026 profile, Maine Public, July 13, 2026
Bobby Charles. Publishes a plan in general terms: cut taxes, stop the drug crisis, improve education. Rivals described his plan to cut the state budget by a third as unrealistic.
Sources: Campaign site, Maine Public, June 19, 2026
John Glowa. Published positions in general terms, such as progressive tax reform and a panel to review state laws and programs.
Hannah Pingree. Former House speaker (E5). Her affordability plan proposes $100 million a year for affordable housing, a public health insurance option and doubling the homestead exemption, with stated revenue sources.
Sources: Maine Public, June 10, 2025, Maine Public, April 14, 2026
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Rick Bennett. Answered the Maine Public questionnaire, published a tax plan and took part in the first televised debate.
Sources: Maine Public Your Vote 2026 profile, Maine Public, July 13, 2026, Portland Press Herald, Oct. 1, 2026
Bobby Charles. Took a Maine Public call-in interview, debated on television and publishes his plan on his campaign site.
Sources: Maine Public, Oct. 5, 2026, Portland Press Herald, Oct. 1, 2026, Campaign site
John Glowa. Published positions through a campaign press release and website.
Hannah Pingree. Published a detailed affordability plan and took part in the first televised debate. No questionnaire answers were opened.
Sources: Maine Public, April 14, 2026, Portland Press Herald, Oct. 1, 2026
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Rick Bennett. Lives in Oxford, his hometown, which he has represented in the Legislature.
Sources: Maine Public Your Vote 2026 profile, Maine Secretary of State, 2026 General Candidate List (FINAL), residence column
Bobby Charles. Grew up in Maine by his own account; listed as a resident of Leeds on the Secretary of State's list (Maine Public described him as from Wayne).
Sources: Maine Public, Oct. 5, 2026, Maine Secretary of State, 2026 General Candidate List (FINAL), residence column
John Glowa. Declared write-in candidate listed as a resident of China, Maine.
Hannah Pingree. Lives on North Haven, which she represented in the Legislature from 2002 to 2010.
Sources: Maine Public, June 10, 2025, Maine Secretary of State, 2026 General Candidate List (FINAL), residence column
Randy Wilcox. Declared write-in candidate listed as a resident of Presque Isle.
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Rick Bennett. Chaired the Maine Republican Party and has been chief executive of GMI Ratings and ValueEdge Advisors; no source states their size.
Source: Ballotpedia, Richard Bennett
Bobby Charles. Led a State Department bureau and founded a consulting firm; federal audits during his bureau tenure raised management concerns, but they are more than 10 years old (E1). No campaign finance finding yet.
Sources: Maine Public, Oct. 5, 2026, Portland Press Herald, Oct. 1, 2026
John Glowa. No public record found.
Hannah Pingree. Directed the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future for more than six years; no source states its size or an independent performance review.
Source: Maine Public, June 10, 2025
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Rick Bennett. Center for Effective Lawmaking state scores rate him Above Expectations in the Maine Senate for 2023 to 2024, ranked 9th, with 13 bills becoming law.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file
Bobby Charles. No public record found.
John Glowa. No public record found.
Hannah Pingree. Center for Effective Lawmaking state scores rated her Above Expectations in the Maine House in 2005 to 2010, ranked fourth in 2007 to 2008 with 14 bills becoming law.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Rick Bennett. No public record found.
Bobby Charles. No public record found.
John Glowa. No public record found.
Hannah Pingree. No public record found.
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Rick Bennett. No public record found.
Bobby Charles. No public record found.
John Glowa. No public record found.
Hannah Pingree. No public record found.
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Rick Bennett. No public record found.
Bobby Charles. No public record found.
John Glowa. No public record found.
Hannah Pingree. No public record found.
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Rick Bennett. No public record found.
Bobby Charles. No public record found.
John Glowa. No public record found.
Hannah Pingree. No public record found.
Randy Wilcox. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Maine governor's race?
Rick Bennett has the strongest record in the Maine governor's race. Rick Bennett scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Hannah Pingree at 65 and Bobby Charles at 58, as of October 6, 2026. Rick Bennett's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Hannah Pingree's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. John Glowa (4 of 15 criteria) and Randy Wilcox (1 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Maine governor's race in 2026?
Rick Bennett (Independent), Robert B. Charles (Republican), John Glowa (Write-in), Hannah M. Pingree (Democratic), Randy Wilcox (Write-in). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Rick Bennett a good candidate for Governor?
Rick Bennett scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 100 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Bobby Charles a good candidate for Governor?
Bobby Charles scores 58 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 65 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is John Glowa a good candidate for Governor?
John Glowa has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Hannah Pingree a good candidate for Governor?
Hannah Pingree scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Randy Wilcox a good candidate for Governor?
Randy Wilcox has public evidence on 1 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Maine race scored, and the Maine 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.