Both have two kids, a spouse and a dog. Both are Democrats seeking to become Maine’s next governor. And both have parents in Congress.
Angus King III and Hannah Pingree have vastly different amounts of political experience, but each come in with instant name recognition in the growing 2026 gubernatorial field due to their parents being U.S. Sen. Angus King and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree.
The younger King, a 54-year-old former clean energy executive who lives in Portland, announced his first attempt at elected office by launching his gubernatorial bid in early May. The younger Pingree, a 48-year-old former speaker of the Maine House of Representatives who lives on the island of North Haven, joined the field last week after stepping down from leading the policy office for Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat who is termed out of office next year.
Both candidates’ campaign logos feature their first names above their last. King filmed a Father’s Day video with his father and son, who is also named Angus. Pingree’s launch video nodded to her family in a lower-key way, featuring a baby picture of the candidate with both of her parents.
“I was lucky to grow up having dinner every night with one of Maine’s great public servants,” King said in a statement, adding that “just like my dad, I’m always looking to bring people together to solve the hardest problems.”
Pingree said she is proud of her mother, the 1st District progressive who also appeared on the ballot with her daughter in 2002 and 2008.
“At the same time, I’m running on my own record,” Pingree said in a phone interview.
Family ties still matter, especially in this early stage of the race. A Pan Atlantic Research poll in May had King leading the field of both declared and potential candidates, with a third of likely Democratic primary voters saying they would “likely support” him. Another 20 percent of voters said the same for Pingree, who was not officially in the race at the time of the survey.
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was in second place, with political operatives feeling that name recognition may have affected survey respondents who were unaware the younger King who shares his father’s first name is not Maine’s former governor, an independent who caucuses with Democrats after joining the Senate in 2013.
King has mentioned the cost of living, housing affordability crisis and challenges with operating small businesses as among Maine’s issues. Pingree also listed the cost of housing as a focus for her along with an “incredibly fragile” health care system and investing in municipalities to bolster their schools, child care options and preparedness for storms.
Their parents each expressed pride in their kids for running for governor.
“Her track record is her own, and so is the vision she brings to Maine’s future,” said the 70-year-old congresswoman in office since 2009. “She’ll make an outstanding governor.”
The 81-year-old senator said his son “has a lot to offer, and I think he’ll be a great governor.”
“I’ve been offering him advice since he was about 2 years old,” he quipped to a reporter after a Thursday news conference at the Portland International Jetport.
Maine has seen members of the same family run for and serve in various elected positions. The Mills and Baldacci families are just two examples. Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, is supporting former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, in next year’s gubernatorial race but said Pingree has a “distinguished public record.”
Baldacci added he is concerned King is “walking into running for governor” without more political experience.
“I think it’s important to go up the rungs sometimes so you learn,” Baldacci said.
His brother, former Gov. John Baldacci, said “your reputation kind of speaks for itself after a while if people know they can talk to you and trust you.”
“What is it that you stand for?” he said, describing questions for Pingree and King. “What have you done to earn the vote of the public?”
