Four Democrats are currently the top fundraisers for next year’s election for Governor of Maine.
Initial fundraising totals show Hannah Pingree, Shenna Bellows, Angus King III, and Troy Jackson have all raised more than $400,000, with Pingree and Bellows topping the half-million-dollar mark.
Attorney Bobby Charles is the only Republican in the governor’s race to top $300,000 in fundraising, which includes $70,000 that he loaned to his campaign.
Notable Republicans, including State Representative Laurel Libby, have yet to enter the governor’s race.
Former Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree, a Democrat who left her role heading current Governor Janet Mills’ policy office in May, leads all candidates through the fundraising period ending June 30. She’s the daughter of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree.
Pingree is followed by Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. Former clean energy businessman and Democrat Angus King III, who is the son of U.S. Sen. Angus King, ranks third in fundraising. King III donated $45,000 to his campaign. Former Democratic Maine Senate President Troy Jackson is fourth.
Attorney Bobby Charles, who has worked in the administration of several Republican presidents, leads the GOP field and is the fifth highest fundraiser in the initial filings.
He’s followed by State Senator Rick Bennett, who recently unenrolled from the Republican Party and is running for governor as an independent. Businessman Owen McCarthy and Real estate broker David Jones are both Republicans, and are the only other candidates in the governor’s race to have raised more than $100,000 thus far.
Current Democratic Governor Janet Mills is term limited and will retire at the end of her current term.
All Announced Governor Candidates Having Raises At Least $100,000:
Raised Total Expenditures Cash on Hand
| Hannah Pingree Democratic | $542,588.29 | $39,195.48 | $503,392.81 |
| Shenna Bellows | Democratic | $529,044.05 | $187,397.90 | $341,646.15 |
| Angus King III Democratic | $434,359.93 | $182,406.40 | $251,953.53 |
| Troy Jackson Democratic | $400,409.94 | $79,504.97 | $320,904.97 |
| Robert Charles Republican | $257,129.44 | $25,324.12 | $301,805.32 |
| Richard Bennett | Independent | $202,900.00 | $39,503.21 | $163,396.79 |
| Owen McCarthy | Republican | $192,167.00 | $19,602.07 | $172,564.93 |
| David Jones | Republican | $149,330.00 | $1,860.35 | $147,469.65 |
Source; Maine Ethics Commission
