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Governor

Governor, Maine

November 3, 2026 · 8 statements · 2026.09.23-0aa8f400

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Candidates

Statements and positions

AgreeDisagreeNo clear position Select a position to see the evidence behind it.

State statements

TaxesNo. 1/8

Maine should phase out its state income tax.

Background

The individual income tax is one of Maine's largest sources of state revenue. Phasing it out would require replacing that money with other revenue or spending cuts.

Rick Bennett No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Bobby Charles Agree

abolish the state income tax

Campaign or official site · Sep 1, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

The taxes are through the roof, and I am planning to, frankly, get rid of the income tax. I have conscientiously looked at it. We've got accountants working on it. We will get rid of the income tax.

Interview or debate · Apr 20, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.85)
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Hannah Pingree Disagree

Hannah will build on that progress by launching a thoughtful, transparent process to evaluate additional ways to make Maine's tax system more progressive — ensuring those at the top pay their fair share

Campaign or official site · Sep 1, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
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EconomyNo. 2/8

Maine should reduce total state spending below current levels.

Background

Maine's two-year general fund budget is roughly $12 billion. This would shrink overall state spending rather than hold it steady or let it grow.

Rick Bennett No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Bobby Charles Agree

The point is not to cut valuable programs, but to cut and end the waste, the fraud, the incompetence, the indifference and the corruption.

Press quote · Aug 20, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

It's double what it was seven years ago. We will get rid of all of that waste. We will literally set up a kind of DOGE here in Maine, and get back to a Norman Rockwell accountability.

Interview or debate · Apr 20, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.70)
Review
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Hannah Pingree Disagree

Commit $100 million a year to finance new construction and preservation of much-need housing across Maine.

Campaign or official site · Sep 1, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.50)
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HousingNo. 3/8

Maine should increase state funding for building new affordable housing.

Background

Maine currently funds affordable housing through bonds, tax credits and MaineHousing programs. This would raise the amount of state money set aside for new construction.

Rick Bennett Agree

Part of the plan would be supported by a $60 million bond that's currently pending at the State House. The rest of the plan would cost about $50 million.

Press quote · Feb 18, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
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Bobby Charles Disagree

Government isn't the solution to the problem, they are the problem.

Press quote · Sep 16, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
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Hannah Pingree Agree

Commit $100 million a year to finance new construction and preservation of much-need housing across Maine.

Campaign or official site · Sep 1, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.85)
Review
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ImmigrationNo. 4/8

Maine should repeal its law limiting police cooperation with federal immigration agents.

Background

A 2026 Maine law bars state and local police and jails from helping federal agents with civil immigration enforcement. Repeal would let them cooperate again.

Rick Bennett No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Bobby Charles Agree

If we restore that cooperation, we will not have shootings like this.

Press quote · Jul 16, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
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Confidence
Medium (0.60)
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Hannah Pingree Disagree

I think it's about working with other governors across the country, attorneys general, to actually hold ICE accountable.

Press quote · Jul 28, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
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GunsNo. 5/8

Maine should keep its 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases.

Background

Since 2024, Maine has required a 72-hour wait between agreeing to buy a firearm and receiving it. The law is being challenged in court.

Rick Bennett No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Bobby Charles No clear position

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Hannah Pingree No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Democracy and electionsNo. 6/8

Maine should require voters to show photo ID to vote in person.

Background

Maine does not currently require photo ID at the polls. Voters rejected a photo ID ballot question in November 2025.

Rick Bennett Agree

Should it be necessary to provide a photo ID in order to vote? Yes

Questionnaire · Sep 22, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.70)
Review
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Bobby Charles No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Hannah Pingree Disagree

Should it be necessary to provide a photo ID in order to vote? No.

Questionnaire · Apr 17, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.70)
Review
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Energy and climateNo. 7/8

Maine should keep its requirement to reach 100% clean electricity by 2040.

Background

State law sets a goal of getting all of Maine's electricity from clean sources by 2040. Keeping it would leave that target and the related utility rules in place.

Rick Bennett No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Bobby Charles No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Hannah Pingree Agree

Deliver 100% Clean Energy: Deliver 100% clean energy by 2040, reducing reliance on costly imported fossil fuels, investing in responsibly sited clean energy that benefits communities

Campaign or official site · Sep 1, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.80)
Review
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EducationNo. 8/8

Maine should let transgender girls compete on girls' school sports teams.

Background

Maine's human rights law currently lets students play on teams that match their gender identity. The policy has been challenged by the federal government.

Rick Bennett Agree

Do you support a ban on transgender athletes in girls and women's sports and the dismantling of other protections under the Maine Human Rights Act? No

Questionnaire · Sep 22, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
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Confidence
Medium (0.75)
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Bobby Charles Disagree

On Day One I will drop the Title IX lawsuit wasting your money to keep boys in girls' sports, pass the Academic Excellence Act to tie all education funding to literacy, math, and science, and restore full parental transparency into what's being taught.

Press quote · Jun 23, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
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Confidence
Medium (0.60)
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Hannah Pingree Agree

Do you support a ban on transgender athletes in girls and women's sports and the dismantling of other protections under the Maine Human Rights Act? No.

Questionnaire · Apr 17, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.70)
Review
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