Entrepreneur Owen McCarthy announced Wednesday he is joining the Republican field that is seeking in 2026 to become Maine’s next governor.
McCarthy, who grew up in Patten and lives in Gorham, is the cofounder of medical device company MedRhythms and had been mentioned for months as a potential GOP candidate to run to succeed Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat who is termed out of office next year.
McCarthy, 37, said in April he was exploring a bid, and he has also spoken at events for potential contenders. The University of Maine and Harvard Business School alumnus who has never held elected office is the latest name to join a wide-open gubernatorial field that has started to solidify about a year out from the primary.
The Republican field includes figures such as state Sen. Jim Libby, lawyer Bobby Charles and real estate agent David Jones. Potential candidates include state Rep. Laurel Libby, 2018 nominee and businessman Shawn Moody, former Maine Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason and entrepreneur Jonathan Bush.
Former Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree, who led Mills’ policy office, announced her candidacy on the Democratic side a day before McCarthy announced his bid. Other Democrats include Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson and former clean energy executive Angus King III.
McCarthy released a video Wednesday that notes he grew up a trailer as the son of a logger and cafeteria worker and was the first in his family to attend college.
If elected, McCarthy pledged in a news release that he would build an integrated economic strategy, deliver tax relief, “crack down” on illegal immigration, cut regulations to make housing more affordable and demand “excellence” in K-12 schools, among other priorities.
“When I look around Maine today, it has become totally unaffordable for working class people, my people,” McCarthy said.
