State Sen. Jim Libby (R-Cumberland) has registered to run in the Republican Party primary for the 2026 gubernatorial election, according documents filed May 15 with Maine Ethics Commission.
Running out of Standish, Sen. Libby joins a Republican field that includes announced campaigns for from Robert Wessels of Paris and Robert ‘Bobby’ Charles of Wayne.
Sen. Libby previously served two terms in the Maine House and is currently in his fourth nonconsecutive term in the Maine Senate. Sen. Libby was previously a candidate in the 2002 Republican gubernatorial primary.
Announced Democratic candidates for the 2026 gubernatorial race include Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and green energy executive Angus King III, the son of progressive Maine U.S. Sen. Angus King, Jr.
Libby holds a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Maine and an MBA from St. Bonaventure University.
He works as a Professor at Thomas College and currently sits on the legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
Libby is the first of any announced candidates to register to run as Maine Clean Elections Act candidate for Governor.
Libby is expected to officially announce the launch of his campaign at an event next week.
