Bobby Charles holds major lead in Maine GOP gubernatorial race: Poll

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."

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.