Results
At G Ratings, we conducted a statewide survey to measure electoral preferences and the political climate ahead of the 2026 general election in Maine. The results show Democratic candidate Hannah Pingree leading the race for governor with 49.8% of voter preference.
We surveyed 800 registered voters in Maine who confirmed that they intended to participate in the upcoming election. Fieldwork was conducted between August 29 and September 2, 2026.
At G Ratings, we present two important statewide contests. While Pingree holds a double-digit advantage in the gubernatorial race, the U.S. Senate contest is considerably closer, with Troy Jackson at 48.4% and Susan Collins at 46.5%.
Maine 2026 governor election: Hannah Pingree leads the race
At G Ratings, we present the results of the question: If the 2026 general election for governor in Maine were held today, for whom would you vote?
- Hannah Pingree: 49.8%
- Bobby Charles: 37.6%
- Rick Bennett: 7.9%
- None: 4.7%
The results place Hannah Pingree 12.2 percentage points ahead of Bobby Charles in the current measurement.
Pingree approaches the 50% threshold, while Charles receives support from more than one-third of respondents. Independent candidate Rick Bennett records 7.9%, while 4.7% selected none of the candidates presented.
The current figures show a clear advantage for Pingree, although the presence of voters supporting an independent candidate or none of the options continues to be relevant as the election approaches.
Troy Jackson holds narrow lead over Susan Collins in U.S. Senate race
At G Ratings, we also surveyed voters about the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Maine.
The results show a much closer contest than the governor’s race.
- Troy Jackson: 48.4%
- Susan Collins: 46.5%
- None: 5.1%
Troy Jackson leads Susan Collins by 1.9 percentage points, placing the two candidates within a narrow range in the current measurement.
Neither candidate reaches 50% support, while 5.1% of respondents selected none of the options.
The results present a competitive Senate contest in which relatively small changes in voter preference could affect the balance of the race as Election Day approaches.
Democrats represent the largest political affiliation group
At G Ratings, we also surveyed participants about their political affiliation to better understand the composition of the electorate included in the study.
- Democratic: 48.0%
- Republican: 33.1%
- Independent/Other: 18.9%
Democrats represent nearly half of respondents, while Republicans account for approximately one-third.
Independent and other voters make up 18.9% of the survey, providing an additional segment that could influence statewide contests.
The political affiliation figures offer important context for interpreting the results of both the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races.
Economy ranks as the top issue facing Maine
Beyond electoral preferences, at G Ratings we surveyed voters about what they consider the most important issue currently facing Maine.
The economy ranks first with 26.7%, including concerns related to jobs, inflation and taxes.
- Economy — jobs, inflation and taxes: 26.7%
- Foreign policy: 17.9%
- Immigration: 15.5%
- Something else: 15.3%
- Healthcare: 10.3%
- State of democracy: 7.8%
- Crime: 3.6%
- Education: 1.8%
- Abortion access: 1.1%
Economic concerns emerge as the most frequently selected issue, but the results also show a broad distribution of priorities among Maine voters.
Foreign policy ranks second at 17.9%, followed closely by immigration at 15.5% and other issues at 15.3%.
Healthcare receives 10.3%, while concerns related to democracy, crime, education and abortion access register smaller percentages.
Economic and national issues shape voter priorities
The G Ratings survey shows that Maine voters are considering both state-level economic concerns and broader national issues as they approach the 2026 election.
The economy leads at 26.7%, but foreign policy and immigration together account for a substantial portion of responses.
This distribution suggests that the political debate in Maine could extend beyond traditional state issues, with national policy discussions also playing an important role in voter decision-making.
At the same time, the differences between the governor and Senate races demonstrate that voters may evaluate candidates differently depending on the office.
Maine presents two different electoral scenarios
At G Ratings, we present a gubernatorial race in which Hannah Pingree currently maintains a notable advantage and a U.S. Senate contest that remains much closer.
Pingree’s 49.8% places her 12.2 points ahead of Bobby Charles, while Troy Jackson’s 48.4% gives him only a 1.9-point advantage over Susan Collins.
These differences show that statewide voter preference does not necessarily move uniformly across different races.
The results provide a snapshot of Maine’s electoral environment and allow G Ratings to continue measuring how voter preferences and political priorities develop during the final months of the 2026 campaign.
Profile of the Maine electorate surveyed
The G Ratings study included voters from different demographic groups to reflect relevant characteristics of Maine’s electorate.
By gender:
- Male: 49.4%
- Female: 50.6%
The gender distribution was nearly evenly divided.
By age group:
- Ages 18–29: 15.5%
- Ages 30–39: 12.2%
- Ages 40–49: 18.6%
- Ages 50–59: 20.2%
- Ages 60–69: 16.6%
- Ages 70 or older: 16.9%
Voters between the ages of 50 and 59 represented the largest age group in the survey at 20.2%.
Survey methodology
At G Ratings, we surveyed 800 adults aged 18 and older residing in Maine who indicated that they met the eligibility requirements to participate in United States electoral processes.
Fieldwork was conducted between August 29 and September 2, 2026. Participants confirmed that they were registered to vote and intended to participate in the upcoming election.
The survey used a non-probability sample structured to reflect relevant demographic and geographic characteristics of Maine’s electorate, including gender, age group, region, education level and ethnicity.
Data collection was conducted through self-administered digital questionnaires accessible on mobile devices and computers. The survey was administered in English.
The study used Odysseus, a technological platform developed by G-Ratings by GobernArte S.C., incorporating algorithmic models designed to support sample distribution according to population reference parameters.
For the sample of 800 completed questionnaires, the theoretical margin of error was estimated between ±3.5% and ±5%, assuming a 95% confidence level and simple random sampling.
Because the study uses a non-probability design, this margin of error should be interpreted as an approximate statistical reference rather than an exact estimate of total survey error.
The completion rate was approximately 50% among eligible individuals who initiated the digital questionnaire.
G Ratings compared respondents’ self-reported party identification with official party enrollment statistics from the Maine Secretary of State. Party identification and formal enrollment are distinct measures and may differ.
The survey was commissioned, conducted, funded and analyzed by G Ratings exclusively for informational purposes and was not commissioned or funded by any candidate, political campaign or political party.
