STANDISH, Maine (WGME) — Republican state lawmaker Sen. James Libby announced his bid to run for governor of Maine in 2026.
He made the announcement Thursday at Standish Town Hall.
Libby began his career in politics in the Legislature in 1992. He made an unsuccessful run for governor in 2002.
Libby said he is looking to reform General Assistance and MaineCare, strengthen government oversight, raise minimum standards for high school graduation and work on economic development.
Speaking on Thursday, Libby said he wants to take the state in a new direction.
“Most of the time when I vote things get turned down and I don’t win the vote and neither do my colleagues. And what I remember from the 1990s is a bit of a more collegial atmosphere where the Republicans and Democrats work together, and I think it’s important to state I’ll be pushing for that,” he said.
As governor, Libby said he would keep minimum wage at its current level.
The state senator joins a growing field of Blaine House hopefuls. On Monday, former Senate President Troy Jackson announced he was running as a Democrat.
Other big names include Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Angus King III, son of former governor and current U.S. Senator Angus King. Both are running as Democrats. Kenneth Pinet is also running on the Democratic side of the gubernatorial race.
David Jones, Bobby Charles, Steven Sheppard, Maria Aguilo, and Robbert Wessels are running on the Republican side of the race.
Alexander Murchison is also running for governor. He is not enrolled in a party.
Incumbent Janet Mills, a Democrat, cannot run again due to term limits.
